Annual Report
2024
MBI-WORKS FUND
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS OF CONSTRUCTION
Earnings from the $5 million MBI-WORKS Fund are being used to provide financial assistance through a grant solicitation process to programs and projects focused on increasing the number of people entering the commercial construction workforce and raising the awareness of the commercial construction industry and the career opportunities available in it. The MBI-WORKS Fund has been funding five very deserving programs that were the winners of the Endowment proposals in 2024. We are proud of the membership at MBI for making these strategic investments into programs that are creating opportunities for future generations of construction workers. Each recipient has been keeping MBI involved in terms of sending quarterly reports to show the progress on each project/program that they were able to implement through the grant funding.
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The following projects were announced as the 2025 Award Recipients, along with their funding level and a brief description of the program that is being funded. These deserving programs and their MBI partners are highlighted at the 2025 Annual Winter Conference.
MBI Submitting Members: BAKER GROUP, THE WEITZ COMPANY, AND TURNER CONSTRUCTION
Non-Profit: BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF CENTRAL IOWA
Des Moines, Iowa
AWARD: $20,000
For the Career Pathways Program specifically funding the supplies and travel portion of the proposal. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa Career Pathways program addresses workforce shortages in the commercial construction by offering comprehensive career exposure to middle schoolers and high schoolers.
MBI Supporting Members: CARDINAL CONSTRUCTION, K&W ELECTRIC, PETERS CONSTRUCTION, PLUMB TECH, TONY'S PLUMBING & HEATING, AND WOODRUFF CONSTRUCTION
Non-Profit: CEDAR FALLS COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
Cedar Falls, Iowa
AWARD: $5,599
To purchase a 3D Printer for the Cedar Falls High School CAPS Industries program to help students in the realm of career discovery.
MBI Supporting Member: THE MURRAY COMPANY
Chariton, Iowa
AWARD: $11,607
Non-Profit: CHARITON HIGH SCHOOL
For purchasing additional equipment for the students enrolled in the Chariton Construction Academy. This will greatly impact the students in this area in terms of upgrading their equipment. The program’s success has led to the need for additional tools/equipment.
MBI Supporting Members: BROWN WINICK, CLIFTONLARSONALLEN LLP, ELDER CORP., SENECA COMPANIES, THE WEITZ COMPANY, AND WOLF CONSTRUCTION
Des Moines, Iowa
AWARD: $15,000
Non-Profit: FREEDOM FOR YOUTH MINISTRIES
For purchasing of the materials/supplies for their carpentry curricula; larger, construction-grade tools, and additional construction materials for use during QPA training and testing.
MBI Supporting Members: IOWA SKILLED TRADES
Des Moines, Iowa
AWARD: $5,000
Non-Profit: iJAG
For purchasing supplies to go towards their Summer Bootcamp for Build My Future event. This will provide career pathway exposure opportunities during this five-day summer workshop.
MBI Supporting Members: MIRON CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, MODERN, AND RINDERKNECHT
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
AWARD: $20,000 (contingent upon our funding going towards the plumbing, piping, and sheet metal portion of the courses; and it would need to be dollar for dollar up to $20,000).
Non-Profit: XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL
For purchasing tools and supplies going towards courses with plumbing, piping, and sheet metal portion of the course for their CTE Programming.
MBI Supporting Members: PDM PRECAST INC., THE WEITZ COMPANY, TRI-CITY ELECTRIC CO., AND TURNER CONSTRUCTION
Des Moines, Iowa
AWARD: $60,000 (contingent upon being last dollar in)
Non-Profit: DES MOINES PUBLIC SCHOOLS
For purchasing a skilled trades trailer to take to schools in the Des Moines metro to expose students to careers in the commercial construction industry. The trailer will be equipped with virtual reality software as well.