Mini Under the Hood - Igniting the Spark

Under the HOOD

The Newsletter of RPM Foundation • Igniting the Spark

Message from the President Our automotive, motorcycle and marine heritage is at risk.

Automotive restoration and preservation lost an entire generation to choosing four years of liberal arts college over the trades, amassing enormous debt as the cost of post-secondary education soared. Debt and limited job opportunities for those graduates got us thinking about the cultural shift away from the trades in the early 1970s, and the detrimental impact it had on our country.

With RPM’s assistance in overcoming the cultural bias against the trades, Americans are getting back to learning how things work and the relevance of restoration and preservation to our culture and heritage. Trying to make up for lost time, RPM helps recover from this by not only funding individuals who have chosen the career path to restoration but also leading the movement to inform, inspire and educate. By finding the gaps in the educational pipeline leading to shop-readiness, RPM can fill them with significant and meaningful services and programs.

But it’s not enough for these students to have education and passion.

They have to have skills, knowledge, and talent for certain — but they also need a network. We have observed that students who take the initiative to immerse themselves in “RPM’s resources — whether it be interview coaching and networking in Shop Hop, meeting collectors face-to-face at Off to the Races, or accessing RPM’s employer database — stand an increased chance of fulfilling their goals. They become part of a new car culture — based on a renaissance of respect for and excitement about the trades and a grass-roots movement to get the next generation engaged in our automotive, motorcycle and marine heritage.

As RPM contributes to the national discussion about working together, I invite you to participate in the conversation!

Join us for the ride and see you along the way,

Diane Fitzgerald, President 333 W. North Avenue #408, Chicago, IL 60610 Toll Free: 855.537.4579 Email: info@rpm.foundation Website: www.rpm.foundation

RPM Foundation is the educational arm of America's Automotive Trust.

Who We Are The RPM Foundation supports Restoration and Preservation training programs and Mentoring for the next generation of automotive, motorcycle and marine craftsmen. As the educational arm of America’s Automotive Trust, the services, resources and grants provided by RPM safeguard the future of the collector vehicle industry by sustaining hands-on training for young adults. The RPM Foundation is based in Chicago with offices in Tacoma, WA and Detroit, MI.

What We Do •P reserve and promote the restoration and preservation of America’s automotive, motorcycle and marine treasures by cultivating a new generation of skilled craftsmen and artisans.

• Promote the importance of the skilled trades and career opportunities within the industry.

• Create opportunities for young people to learn from professional educators, master craftsmen and industry leaders.

• Develop partnerships with a wide spectrum of the collector hobby and industry, including shows, races, driving rallies, clubs and businesses to promote the education of necessary skills to secure America’s heritage and culture.

What Drives Us 1. YOUNG PEOPLE – That every young car enthusiast who loves collector cars, motorcycles and boats learns that there are viable career opportunities in North America focused on the collector vehicle industry, including restoration. By way of high school and post-secondary educational programs, they are able to take advantage of them; 2. VEHICLES – That the craftsmanship, skills, knowledge, tools, processes and techniques survive and thrive for generations to come by filling the educational pipeline with the next generation of craftsmen and artisans; and, 3. IMPACT – That the collector vehicle industry, including schools, is organized and centralized with the help of RPM Foundation, providing information, services and a strong network.

McPherson Student & RPM Scholar Greg Elvin poses with a Model A Ford

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RPM Foundation’s Geography At-A-Glance To date, RPM has awarded more than $3 million to 320 grant applicants across the country!

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About America’s Automotive Trust + RPM Foundation America’s Automotive Trust (AAT) sees an opportunity to ensure that America’s automotive legacy is celebrated and that vintage — and modern ­collectible vehicles will be driven and enjoyed for generations to come. From exhibitions of remarkable collections to educating the next generation of craftsmen and artisans, to philanthropy, the four entities of AAT share the same goals. LeMay­— America’s Car Museum, RPM Foundation, Club Auto, and the Concours Club are all part of AAT. The RPM Foundation is the educational arm of America’s Automotive Trust.

PRESERVE THE PAST. BUILD THE FUTURE. Supporting the RPM Foundation – Thank You! Help us fuel the future and achieve our goal of raising $1,000,000! With funding requests more than triple what we are able to giveaway, we need your support. Donations of any size are deeply appreciated.

For more information, contact Diane Fitzgerald, President (diane@rpm.foundation, C: 312-543-5732).

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Donations of $50 or more receive a complimentary membership to LeMay – America’s Car Museum, an entity of America’s Automotive Trust.

Please send your donation to: RPM Foundation, 333 W. North Avenue #408, Chicago, IL 60610 Or you may make a donation online at: www.rpm.foundation As a U.S. Treasury approved 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the RPM Foundation is qualified to accept tax deductible gifts and enables a donor to arrange charitable contributions in ways that maximize personal objectives in a tax effective manner.

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THANK YOU!