LANCASTER, Pa. – Armstrong World Industries Foundation (AWIF), the philanthropic arm of Armstrong World Industries, Inc., announced today that it has awarded $275,000 in grants for 2023 to local organizations supporting a range of community needs including education, child healthcare and community enrichment.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to invest in our community with these grants,” said Salena Coachman, AWIF president and VP, Talent Sustainability, Diversity and Inclusion at Armstrong World Industries. “These grants will support renovation, construction and facility maintenance for local organizations that are filling important needs in our community. Partnering with them helps fulfill the mission of our Foundation to support our communities by ensuring access to services and spaces that allow every individual to thrive.”
Lancaster-area grants this year include:
$100,000 to the Spanish American Civic Association (SACA) to assist with the renovations of Tec Centro Southwest facility which will host SACA’s second workforce development facility in Lancaster City. The renovation will increase skills training capacity for high-demand careers such as welding and metal fabrication.
$100,000 toward LancasterHistory’s Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Center for History and Democracy, rehabilitating Congressman Thaddeus Stevens’ home and law office, preserving a critical piece of Lancaster’s history and providing invaluable information to present and future generations.
Maintenance grants of $25,000 each to Lancaster Science Factory, Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic and Bright Side Opportunities Center.
“Over the decades, LancasterHistory has forged a strong partnership with Armstrong World Industries, collaborating to share the company’s history through publications and exhibitions, and working in partnership to ensure the long-term preservation of its rich archive of corporate and community history,” said Robin Sarratt, Vice President at LancasterHistory. “We are delighted and proud that Armstrong World Industries and its Foundation will be part of this project in such a supportive and fundamental way.”
Jose Lopez, Chief Executive Officer of SACA, shared “The AWIF grant will empower SACA's community engagement by expanding educational space used for teaching highly demanded skills in welding and metal fabrication. It will also support a renewable energy laboratory and address critical concerns regarding noise pollution and air quality in our educational spaces. Ultimately, these initiatives will greatly enrich the learning journey of SACA Tec Centro's students.”
In addition to the grants announced today, the AWIF provides funds for Armstrong World Industries’ production sites to award to charitable organizations in their local communities as well as employee giving matching funds and emergency relief to employees experiencing hardship, natural disaster or significant medical expenses.