February 2026 Newsletter

2025 Toys For Tots

The IEC Foundation secured Toy Grants to support four IEC chapters and their communities, providing about 1,050 toys to children across the country this year. This initiative strengthens community connections, helping chapters engage with prospective students and potential members while offering IEC apprentices opportunities to foster compassion and leadership through service.

Congratulations to IEC Atlanta/Georgia, IEC Central Ohio, IEC of the Bluegrass, IEC Rocky Mountain, & IEC Ft. Worth.

IEC Central Ohio

IEC of the Bluegrass

IEC Ft. Worth

IECF Mystery Dinner Fundraiser at the 2026 IEC Business Summit

Thank you to everyone who helped make our recent Mystery Fundraiser such a tremendous success! Whether you supported the event as a sponsor, attendee, donor, or volunteer, your involvement made a meaningful impact and directly supports our mission.

Your generosity and dedication continue to inspire us, and we are grateful for your ongoing support. We look forward to building on this momentum together and hope to see you at future IEC Foundation events.

Sparky Quarter 4 Pupdate

How To Get Involved

Buy Tickets

Click here to secure your seats!

https://givebutter.com/IECF30

Get Your Tickets

The Tony Hernandez Memorial Scholarship

The Tony Hernandez Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to honor the life, legacy, and values of Antonio “Tony” Hernandez. Tony was a devoted family man, a U.S. Air Force veteran, an electrical contractor, and a lifelong mentor whose impact on the electrical industry endures across generations.

Tony began his career in the electrical trade by completing an electrical apprenticeship and went on to become a licensed electrical contractor and founder of David Electric, where he proudly served the Florida Keys and the Naval Air Station for nearly 40 years. Throughout his career, Tony believed strongly in mentorship and education. He encouraged many of his employees to pursue licensing, further their education, and even start their own businesses, always viewing his workers as family rather than employees.

Education and continuous learning were cornerstones of Tony’s life—values that live on today through his son, Dave Hernandez, an instructor with the IEC Florida East Coast Chapter, who continues his father’s commitment to teaching, mentoring, and supporting the next generation of electricians.

This scholarship was created to remove financial barriers for individuals who demonstrate a strong desire to pursue a career in the electrical industry but may lack the means to do so.

New Worker Program Curriculum Grant

The Independent Electrical Contractors Foundation is offering a grant for reimbursement to IEC Chapters when they purchase the New Worker Curriculum through the IEC Training Advantage bookstore. Contact info@iec-foundation.org to apply.

The IEC Foundation Tools for Success Toolkit Program

The IEC Foundation Toold for Success Toolkit Award Program, part of the Powering the Future initiative in partnership with Generac, is designed to support and empower the next generation of electricians by putting essential tools directly into their hands.

IEC apprentices who demonstrate strong academic performance and consistent attendance after their first semester are eligible to receive professional-grade toolkits. By helping reduce financial barriers, this program ensures apprentices are equipped with the tools they need to begin their careers with confidence and succeed in the electrical industry.

Please check out the IEC Foundation's Article in IEC Insights January/February Issue highlighting our two new programs. The full issue can be read here.

Grants and Scholarships

IEC Foundation Scholarships

The IEC Foundation established the scholarship fund exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to award deserving, qualified students who have demonstrated drive, dedication, and leadership in their pursuit of careers in the electrical industry.

The IEC Foundation's scholarships are offered to IEC students, members, and their immediate families, who plan to pursue post-secondary education in college or state-accredited apprenticeship programs.

The Independent Electrical Contractors Foundation Scholarship period will close on February 5, 2026, at 5:00 pm EST. References from employers and IEC Chapters will be accepted through Friday, February 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST.

You can view the IECF Scholarship Video here: https://youtu.be/ghWXeAmt1kI

Click here to view our How-To Scholarship Videos:

Apply Here

Thank you IECF Scholarship Sponsors!

Graybar Scholarship

Graybar is proud to support careers in the skilled trades through the Graybar Construction Trades Scholarship. The scholarship is open to people of any age pursuing a career in the construction trades.

The deadline to apply is April 15, 2026. Learn more at https://www.graybar.com/scholarship

The IECF Equipment & Training Grant Program

The IEC Foundation seeks to support not-for-profit organizations to create opportunities introducing and guiding men and women to successful and satisfying careers in the electrical and contracting industry. Equipment & Training Grants are available throughout the year to IEC Chapters, with donations from our partners. Equipment & Training sessions are also granted annually through our formal application process.

The IEC Foundation Equipment Grant application period is from February 17, 2026 to March 5, 2026 @ 5:00 p.m. EST.

IEC Northern Ohio

Please visit our new website to apply from 02/17/26 through 03/05/26

https://www.iec-foundation.org/apply

Thank you IECF Equipment & Training Grant Sponsors!

The Home Depot Pro Xtra Grants

Through proceeds from the Home Depot Rewards Program, the Independent Electrical Contractors Foundation supports the enhancement of IEC training center labs and classrooms. These grants help elevate the learning environment for apprentices and continuing education participants.

IEC Greater San Antonio

IEC Ft. Worth

IEC Rio Grande Valley Chapter

IEC of Greater Cincinnati

IEC of Utah

IEC Florida East Coast

The IEC Foundation Home Depot Pro Xtra & Pro Xtra Chapter Development grant period is from March 10, 2026 to March 19, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. EST.

The Home Depot Pro Xtra Program

As a proud partner with IECF, The Home Depot is dedicated to saving electricians time and money. You can get 2% cash back on all qualifying pre-tax purchases when enrolled in our free Pro Xtra Program. In addition to the rebate for customers, The Home Depot will donate a percentage of the sales in this program to the IEC Foundation. Thank you IEC community for your support!

To learn more about the program and how you can support the IEC Foundation visit: https://www.iec-foundation.org/iecf-home-depot-pro-xtra-program