2025 has been a year of extraordinary progress:

We expanded into new counties. More apprentices advanced into high-demand careers. Students discovered new pathways into manufacturing. Industry leaders connected across our broad network and employers collaborated in ways that strengthen their workforce and drive the region forward.

At the same time, shifting federal and local government priorities resulted in significant changes to our funding landscape, challenges that many nonprofits across the country are facing. Through it all, we remain focused on what matters most: ensuring manufacturing continues to be a powerful pathway to stability, upward mobility, and regional strength.

That’s where you come in, and we thank you for your support!

When you invest in Manufacturing Works, you aren’t just supporting a nonprofit.
You’re strengthening the backbone of our local economy.
You’re empowering students and workers with life-changing opportunities.
You’re helping manufacturers grow which helps our communities thrive.

If you’d like a closer look at what your support has made possible, we invite you to explore this 2025 Highlights & Impact page for a look at the wins you helped create and the challenges we’re working hard to overcome.

With gratitude,
Adam

Expanding Reach and Building Capacity

Impact: Greater reach, more communities served, and stronger infrastructure to support manufacturers.

Expanded programs into Huron and Erie counties while continuing high-impact work in Cuyahoga, Summit, and Lorain counties.
Added two full-time workforce team members, Chloe and Sylvia, strengthening our apprenticeship and youth programming.
Implemented cybersecurity training for staff and added Copilot to our tech stack to support efficiency.
Supported regional companies by guiding them through multiple Smart Manufacturing Roadmaps, including one selected for a DOE presentation.
Two of our workforce team members were featured on the WISE Women Radio Show speaking about clean energy and green jobs and women in apprenticeships, and our Executive Director was featured on the Rust Belt Run Down podcast.
Recognized on the national stage in a Brookings Institute whitepaper, positioning our work as part of the larger movement to rebuild America’s industrial economy from the ground up.

Developing Future Leaders

Impact: Northeast Ohio is cultivating the next generation of manufacturing leaders.

Celebrated multiple new journeyworker graduates from our Registered Apprenticeship Program.
Lifted up the power of representation by highlighting two female apprentices in a widely shared video story.
Launched the Quality Control Technician Apprenticeship Program, expanding our total occupations.
Launched new Leadership Institute cohorts with success stories already emerging.
Two Leadership Institute alumni officially closed on the acquisition of a business this year. That's the sixth acquisition since the program's inception.
Secured $150,000 from KeyBank Foundation to expand the Leadership Institute through 2027.
Our VP of Learning and Development, Brianna Schultz, was selected to speak on leadership development at the Northern Ohio HR Conference.

Supporting Youth Through Education

Impact: Students gain real-world skills, mentorship, and hands-on exposure to modern manufacturing careers.

Awarded $175,000 from The Cleveland Foundation for the Encore (Technical Corps) Program at Max Hayes High School and Collinwood High School.
Helped Cuyahoga Valley Career Center purchase metrology equipment and provided a teacher tool kit for hands-on learning.
Continued to strengthen high school manufacturing career pathways through job shadows, pre-apprenticeship training, and partnerships.
Provided two 8-week Drone Awareness Courses as part of advanced manufacturing exploration to students at Luis Muñoz Marin School and Strongsville High School.
Continued our work with youth in 14 school districts. 25% of pre-apprenticeship graduates at Lorain County JVS advanced into Registered Apprenticeships. Watch the youth pre-apprenticeship video on our blog.

Engaging Members and Community

Impact: Stronger connections, more collaboration, and shared solutions to manufacturers’ most pressing challenges.

Hosted an Annual Meeting (impact report here) with over 150 attendees and a 9.2 Net Promoter Score, reinforcing the value of membership. Awarded Jon Shoop with the Strategic Partner award, Re:Build Manufacturing with the Mission Builder Award, and Glenn Richardson with the Community Champion award.
Introduced Monthly Manufacturing Happy Hours, offering consistent opportunities for connection. Thanks to PNC for sponsoring these events.
Advanced three ManuFuture workstreams: Operational Efficiency, Culture & Development, and Strategic Growth.
Hosted and partnered on major events including the Aerospace & Air Mobility Supplier Summit, the CIM 2025 Summit, MX.0 Midwest, and the EC&M Conference with our honorary member, Cleveland Engineering Society.

Annual Meeting Sponsors

2025-annual-meeting-sponsors

Nuts & Bolts Bash Sponsors 2025-nbb-sponsors

Please Help Us Build the Next 40 Years

We're excited to celebrate our 40th anniversary in 2026, and this year has proven that Manufacturing Works is needed more than ever.

But the loss of federal and county funding means: Fewer apprentices can be supported. Fewer students can access manufacturing exposure. Fewer leaders can be trained. Fewer manufacturers can receive hands-on training and consulting support.

Your donation right now strengthens the programs that protect Northeast Ohio’s economic future.

As a recognized 501(c)(3) public charity, there are multiple tax-deductible ways individuals and companies can donate to show support

Donate through PayPal.
Mail a check: Checks should be made payable to Manufacturing Works (Tax ID 34-1596116) and mailed to PO Box 31025, Independence, OH 44131
Sponsor the 40th Anniversary Celebrations or a Manufacturing Works Program

Thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to continuing to serve our region's manufacturing community!

2025 Highlights and Impact

A letter from our president & executive director

Dear Friends, Partners, and Supporters of Manufacturing Works:

2025 Impact at a Glance

Expanding Reach and Building Capacity

Developing Future Leaders

Supporting Youth Through Education

Engaging Members and Community

Recognizing Our 2025 Signature Event Sponsors

Please Help Us Build the Next 40 Years

JOIN MANUFACTURING WORKS

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