Prior Grant Requests
Organization Name: Please note we are changing our name to: Industrial Finishing & Coating Association Education Foundation
Organization Website: http://www.finishingfoundation.org
Year Established: 2018
Mission Statement:
To support education and training programs that improve skills at all levels within the industrial finishing and coatings industry, for the benefit of our industry today and to build a stronger foundation for the future.
Contact Name: Sheila LaMothe
Years in Position: 9
Contact Email: sheila@finishingfoundation.org
Contact Phone: 9413731830
Address:
6985 Professional Parkway Unit A
Sarasota, Florida 34240
Have you previously received a grant? Yes
If yes, please indicate the year(s): 2025
How did you hear about our organization?
Originally through a grant search.
What do you believe we can provide your organization?
The TLC Women’s Charitable Foundation can provide support and partnership to CCAI FEF/IFCA EF for its STEM focused camps, specifically industrial finishing, that help introduce middle and high school students ages 12-16 to well paying careers and opportunities in an industry that they otherwise may not have learned about. These unique weeklong camps, hosted in multiple states across the U.S., provide connection to local employers in the industry and an overview of the finishing process, including pretreatment, powder coating, liquid coating, and electrocoating; curing; masking; and more. Camp activities take place inside and out of the classroom and include video lessons, hands-on activities, virtual reality sandblasting and finishing, and tours of local businesses. The tours are a key feature of the camp program and are provided by local manufacturers that showcase real-world finishing operations and allow campers to do real finishing process work including part hanging, part cleaning, and powder coating. Since 2023, CCAI FEF/IFCA EF has partnered with S&B Metal Products in Bradenton to support the Summer Finishing Camps. Each year S&B hosts the campers for a tour and gives them an opportunity to fabricate and powder coat a part to take home.
What will the grant be used for?
CCAI FEF/IFCA EF is requesting support for its Summer Industrial Finishing Camps being hosted at State College of Florida in the summer of 2027. The SCF Bradenton campus has hosted a finishing camp every summer since 2023 when our program began. As a result of the interest in and the success of this particular camp, an additional finishing camp will be held at the Lakewood Ranch campus in 2027. Grant funds help to offset camp operation expenses for both camp locations including:
– Custom camp learning material
– Tour transportation (each bus can cost $1500)
– Camp instructor stipend
– Camp registration fee subsidies for economically disadvantaged students
Each camp is able to accommodate 15-20 students, with an anticipation of approximately 195 students participating nationwide as several new camps will be added in 2027.
Provide the grant amount you are seeking: $1,500.00
Do you provide services to Sarasota and/or Manatee County? Yes
What is the financial impact per individual/program this grant will provide?
$37.50 – $50 per camper.
Please provide the estimated number of women, children and families impacted.
30-40
Is there a matching grant? No
If yes, indicate donation source:
May we tour your facility? Yes
What reciprocal benefit can you provide our organization:
CCAI FEF/IFCA EF will recognize TLC Women’s Charitable Foundation on its website, its annual report, and on any marketing materials for the camp. TLC Women’s Charitable Foundation would also be recognized through CCAI/IFCA and CCAI FEF/IFCA EF’s print and digital promotions, news articles, press releases, and social media. As a supporter of the finishing camps held at the State College of Florida, the TLC Women’s Charitable Foundation logo will be included on the back of the t-shirt received by all campers.
Proof of Non-Profit Status
https://tlcwcf.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/15/CCAIFEF-IRS-Tax-Exempt-Determination-Letter-5-28-19.pdf
Organization’s Logo
https://tlcwcf.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/15/IFCAEF_Stacked-150×150.jpg
Project/Program-specific budget:
https://tlcwcf.org/wp-content/uploads/formidable/15/2027-State-College-of-FL-Camp-Budget.pdf
Guide Star Profile/Rating (if applicable):Â
Anything else you would like to share with us?
We are excited to see the finishing camp program expand in Manatee County with camps scheduled for the Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch campuses in 2027. We hope to continue to grow the program and add a camp at the Venice campus in the future. I previously shared a brief report and photos of our 2026 SCF camp with Nancy Lepain.
Please note that the Chemical Coaters Association International Finishing Education Foundation (CCAI FEF) is in the process of a rebrand. Our new name will be the Industrial Finishing & Coating Association Education Foundation (IFCA EF). Our mission and those we serve have not changed. The new name simply better communicates who we are. We are currently transitioning to the new name and you may see references to both names through the end of 2026 when the transition is expected to be complete.