Each October, the home building industry celebrates Careers in Construction Month, a time to recognize the professionals in the field and spotlight opportunities available for the next generation. This is the first story in a weekly series highlighting the month.

This summer, HBAs across Virginia launched new workforce development projects with support from the Home Builders Association of Virginia (HBAV). Through the HBAV Education Foundation, the association’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit, grants were distributed to connect young people with construction career paths and showcase opportunities the industry provides.

The grants primarily target local HBAs and trade schools for student projects, scholarships and more. Since 2018, the HBAV Education Foundation has donated more than $150,000 to spark student interest in construction and address the industry’s ongoing labor shortage.

“HBAV’s board and staff felt called to address this, and it’s now a major strategic initiative of the association,” said Emily Evola, HBAV vice president of partnerships and programs. “Through grant funding, our goal is to create meaningful moments in kids’ lives and let them know construction can be a fulfilling and rewarding career.”

HBAV opens the grant applications at the beginning of the year and awards funds in March for summer or fall projects. In 2024, the association added a fall reporting requirement, where recipients gather in September to share the progress and outcomes of their initiatives. Evola said the reporting provides accountability for the funding but also offers a chance to hear about the successes and challenges of each project.

This year, the HBAV Education Foundation distributed $41,000 to support nine grants: five for local HBAs, two for trade schools and two at the state level. Locally, grants supported scholarships, career fairs and hands-on programs that gave students practical experience in the field. At the state level and for trade schools, grants supported scholarships and travel to industry programs and networking events, including the Virginia Builders Summit and SkillsUSA Virginia.

The foundation’s funding primarily comes from member support and HBAV fundraising initiatives, including its annual auction and Giving Tuesday campaign. Two years ago, a member suggested hosting an auction with donated items, which raised $20,000 the first year before doubling to $40,000 this year. HBAV’s Giving Tuesday campaign raised $25,000 through a gift matching incentive its first year to help support the grants.

“It showed the interest was there, and we just had to run with it,” Evola said.

The foundation’s support for local projects has grown steadily over the years. It started with three grants totaling $6,500 in 2018 and six grants for $15,000 in 2019. It then rose to seven grants for $26,000 in 2024 before reaching $41,000 this year.

Evola encourages other state HBAs to take similar steps to support workforce development programming with their local associations and communities.

“If you find even one person from your membership who feels called to be the kickoff person, take the risk,” Evola said. “Starting a foundation can be intimidating, but the impact and reward is so huge. It allows you to make an impact beyond the mission of the HBA.”