OFIC Receives $25,000 Grant from Honda to Launch Inaugural Manufacturing Expo+
Contribution Will Help Empower College Students and Strengthen Access to Ohio's Manufacturing Talent Pipeline
Columbus, Ohio, Tuesday, May 21, 2024 — The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC) is proud to have received a $25,000 grant from Honda to launch its inaugural Manufacturing Expo+. This generous contribution marks a significant milestone in OFIC's mission to empower students and bolster Ohio's talent pipeline in the manufacturing industry.
"The support from Honda is truly invaluable in our efforts to provide OFIC students with opportunities to enter and excel in the manufacturing industry," said Bill Spiker, President at OFIC. "This grant will enable us to host an innovative Manufacturing Expo+, a hybrid experience merging programming, ongoing education, networking, and more. This unique format will not only showcase the talent of our students but also create opportunities for connections with manufacturing industry professionals across the state."
Ohio stands as a pivotal state in the manufacturing realm, boasting a workforce of over 600,000 residents and claiming the title of the third-largest manufacturing workforce in the nation. The Manufacturing Expo+ celebrates the ingenuity and potential of college graduates who are not only finding opportunities in manufacturing or engineering but also thriving in sales, finance, marketing, and HR roles within manufacturing companies, showcasing the diverse career paths available in the industry.
"Honda is proud to support OFIC in its efforts to provide further access to talent and drive excellence within the manufacturing sector," said Yvette Hunsicker, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Inclusion and Diversity at Honda.
“We believe that investing in the next generation of industry leaders is essential for advancing progress and sustainability across Ohio’s manufacturing landscape.”
OFIC extends heartfelt gratitude to Honda for its generous contribution, which serves as the cornerstone of the inaugural Manufacturing Expo+. Together, we embark on a journey to empower students by showcasing an industry’s wide range of career opportunities and strengthening Ohio's talent pipeline.
What is an Expo+?
Including a hybrid series of programming and events spanning 2024, The Manufacturing Expo+ will integrate virtual and in-person experiences, ensuring accessibility and engagement for all participants. Stay current on dates and planning details by visiting: https://www.ofic.org/manufacturing-expoplus.
About The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC)
OFIC was founded in 1950 to conduct annual solicitations of companies and foundations to benefit private independent colleges and universities in Ohio. OFIC has 32 member institutions which enrolls 77,000 students. Solicitation is conducted annually with the help of corporate trustees through the state calling on companies and foundations headquartered or doing business in Ohio. OFIC raises both unrestricted and restricted gifts including scholarships, program support, and endowments. Unrestricted gifts are largely used by campuses for student financial aid.
In addition to our decades-long focus on scholarship fundraising, OFIC is launching a new strategic initiative, “Talent for Ohio” to help OFIC students become more career-ready and to share with business partners how OFIC campuses contribute to their talent pipelines and how they may grow in their awareness of and work with OFIC students. Learn more at https://www.ofic.org/.
About Honda Corporate Social Responsibility and the Honda USA Foundation
For more than 60 years in the U.S., Honda has been committed to making positive contributions to the communities where its associates live and work. Honda’s mission is to create products and services that help people fulfill their life’s potential, while conducting business in a sustainable manner and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Advancing its corporate social responsibility, Honda and the Honda USA Foundation support this direction through giving focused on education, the environment, mobility, traffic safety and community. Learn more at https://csr.honda.com/.