Follow the journey of a donation to the KY SkillsUSA Foundation — from online checkout to a Kentucky student standing on a national competition stage. Here's exactly what your money does.
When you make a donation to the KY SkillsUSA Foundation, it doesn't go into a general fund that pays for administrative costs or office overhead. It goes directly to Kentucky students competing in skilled trades. Here's exactly what that looks like in practice.
The Path from Donation to National Stage
Step 1: Regional Competition
It starts at a regional SkillsUSA competition, where students from area technology centers and high schools compete in their trade category. Regional events are held across Kentucky — and winning here is the first step toward the state championship. The Foundation's funding helps cover medals and awards at the regional level, ensuring that every student's achievement is recognized.
Step 2: State Championships
Regional winners advance to the SkillsUSA Kentucky State Leadership and Skills Conference. This is a multi-day event that brings together the best student competitors from across the state. In 2026, it's scheduled for March 30–April 2 in Louisville.
State registration and competition costs are real — your donation at the $100 level directly sends one student to compete at this event. Without funding, a student who won their regional competition might not be able to advance.
Step 3: National Championships
Kentucky's state champions advance to the national SkillsUSA Championships — one of the largest career and technical student organization events in the country, with over 6,700 competitors from all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Competing at nationals is a life-changing experience for Kentucky students.
Kentucky SkillsUSA competitors who place at nationals regularly receive job offers and apprenticeship placements from national employers recruiting at the event.
What Different Gift Levels Fund
- $25 — Competition medals for regional event winners
- $100 — State championship registration for one student
- $500 — State officer support: blazers, travel, and leadership development
- $1,000 — Washington Leadership Training Institute attendance for a student
- $2,500+ — Full scholarship support for a student pursuing a skilled trades career
Leadership Development Funding
Beyond competition, the Foundation funds the Washington Leadership Training Institute (WLTI) — a national program that sends SkillsUSA student officers to Washington, D.C. for intensive leadership development. Kentucky students who attend WLTI return as stronger advocates for the trades and for education. The cost is significant; Foundation donations make it possible for Kentucky students to participate.
Scholarships for Skilled Trades Students
The Foundation also awards scholarships to Kentucky students pursuing higher education or advanced training in skilled trades. These scholarships remove a critical barrier — the assumption that a career in the trades doesn't require or benefit from continued education. Many of Kentucky's most successful tradespeople have college degrees or advanced certifications alongside their hands-on skills.
Your Donation Is Tax-Deductible
The KY SkillsUSA Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Your donation is fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. You'll receive a receipt immediately after donating that you can use for your tax records.
You can make a one-time gift or set up recurring monthly, quarterly, or annual donations. Monthly donors are the lifeblood of the Foundation — predictable recurring support allows us to plan ahead for each competition season.
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