Investing in the Future of the Material Handling Industry
MHEDA HAS LONG been committed to strengthening the material handling industry by supporting education, workforce development and professional growth. MHEDA is proud to take that commitment a step further with the launch of the MHEDA Foundation, a new scholarship initiative designed to prepare the next generation of skilled professionals for careers in material handling and related industries.
A Scholarship Initiative With Impact
The MHEDA Foundation represents a strategic investment in the industry’s future. Unlike traditional scholarship programs that award funds directly to students, the foundation partners with accredited, nonprofit technical and community colleges across the United States.
These institutions distribute scholarship funding to qualifying students, ensuring that the support directly benefits those pursuing industry-aligned programs. Scholarships provided through the Foundation cover tuition, required fees and credential testing, enabling students to gain the knowledge, skills and certifications essential for long-term career success.
Partner schools are selected through a competitive proposal process that evaluates key criteria such as program relevance to the material handling industry, geographic diversity, employer engagement and graduate outcomes. This ensures that the Foundation’s resources are allocated to programs that have a meaningful and measurable impact on students and the broader workforce.
Guidelines and Process
The foundation has established a clear framework to ensure transparency, accountability and long-term success:
- Eligibility Criteria for Partner Institutions: Participating schools must be accredited, nonprofit technical, vocational or community colleges in the United States. Programs should align with industry needs, covering areas such as automation, equipment maintenance, electrical systems and mechatronics. Institutions must demonstrate a commitment to student success, employer engagement and tracking graduate outcomes.
- Selection of Partner Schools: MHEDA will issue an annual or bi-annual Request for Proposals (RFP) to potential partners. Proposals are evaluated based on program alignment, geographic representation, commitment to graduate tracking and administrative capacity to manage scholarship funds. Final partnerships are approved annually by the foundation’s Board.
- Scholarship Structure and Use of Funds: Schools will receive designated annual funding to distribute to students in eligible programs. Scholarships must be applied to tuition, fees or credential testing, with unused funds returned or reallocated as approved by the Foundation. Schools allocate funds using fair criteria aligned with MHEDA guidance.
- Tracking and Reporting: Transparency and impact are critical to the foundation’s mission. Partner schools are required to submit annual reports detailing student progress, program enrollment, credential completion rates and employment outcomes. Schools also participate in longitudinal tracking initiatives to evaluate career trajectories of scholarship recipients over one, three and five years.
- Branding and Recognition: Participating schools will acknowledge the MHEDA Foundation in promotional and student-facing materials. Success stories may also be highlighted by the foundation to showcase the program’s impact and encourage continued industry support.
- Renewal and Governance: Partnerships are reviewed annually by MHEDA leadership, with strong-performing institutions eligible for renewal or increased funding. Oversight is provided by a dedicated Scholarship Committee appointed by the Foundation’s Board, ensuring effective governance, accountability and sustainability.
Building a Stronger Talent Pipeline
The launch of the MHEDA Foundation is more than a scholarship program – it is a strategic initiative to reinforce the industry’s workforce pipeline. By investing in education, supporting students and tracking outcomes, the foundation ensures that funding produces measurable results, preparing highly skilled professionals ready to meet the evolving demands of the material handling sector.
For more information on partnership opportunities or to learn how your organization can support the MHEDA Foundation, visit mheda.org/mheda-foundation-scholarship-funds/
