On May 2, the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF) announced that it needed over $6K to meet the $10,000 matching-grant threshold established by the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA).
In the last month, the campaign has raised another $1,402, reducing the sum needed to meet the matching-grant threshold to $4,923. Once CTEF reaches the $10,000 threshold, immediately another $10,000 in matching grants is available to fund classes, training, and testing for the tile installation industry.
Last year, this campaign helped CTEF continue to function despite the unknowns of the pandemic; this year the campaign will go toward additional educational, and testing needs to meet the demands of the industry.
“CTEF must do more to address the needs for certification and education in the industry”, says Brad Denny, CTEF Executive Director. “The demand coming out of the pandemic, the pace of the economy and the needs of the installation community necessitate we invest in our capabilities in South Carolina and explore how to take more of what we do there on the road. The NTCA matching grant will be a huge benefit for CTEF and will quickly turn into a benefit for the industry.”
More specifically, CTEF plans the following:
• Adding more “Understanding and Installing Ceramic Tile” and “Mortar Shower Base and Waterproofing” classes that have become hugely popular and quickly fill up.
• Building new modules over the summer.
• Reorganizing the outbuildings at the CTEF training facility in Pendleton, S.C. to house new ACT and CTI test modules.
• Creating a fully functioning permanent testing space.
Additionally, CTEF requires more resources to develop programming (training and certification) around the country rather than primarily in Pendleton, S.C.
To offset these expenses, NTCA has offered a $10,000 matching cash grant to CTEF, where NTCA will match dollar-for-dollar all donations received, up to $10,000, doubling the impact of CTEF’s fundraising efforts. If CTEF can raise $10,000 through the generosity of those interested in the success of the tile industry, that $10,000 will become $20,000.
“Given the challenges that Covid put in our path in 2020 and 2021, it’s an amazing opportunity to go beyond existing and fulfilling the CTEF mission, to making more educational and testing options available to benefit the tile industry,” says Scott Carothers, CTEF director of certification and training.
The NTCA has supported both the residential and commercial tile contractor since 1947. The renewed matching grant program is another example of the organization’s commitment to the tile industry as it proudly celebrates 75 years of tile contractor support this year.
“The tile industry has a long history of giving back,” states Bart Bettiga, executive director of NTCA. “In fact, that’s how CTEF came to be. With this matching grant, NTCA demonstrates our ongoing commitment to helping the tile industry become even better than it already is and ensuring that CTEF’s critical work educating and certifying tile installation professionals continues.”
“We invite you to participate in the NTCA matching grant and encourage every member of your community of family and friends to do the same. Thank you in advance for your consideration and generosity,” adds Carothers.
Every donation helps — large and small. To make a donation to help move the needle on reaching the NTCA grant match, simply go to https://www.ceramictilefoundation.org/donate-ntca
About the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation
The Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF) provides education and installer certification for professionals working in the ceramic tile and stone industry. Certification programs include the CTEF Certified Tile Installer (CTI) program which is the only third-party assessment of installer skill and knowledge to be recognized by the tile industry and the Advanced Certifications for Tile Installers (ACT).
CTEF is headquartered in Pendleton, South Carolina, near Clemson University and the offices of the Tile Council of North America (TCNA).
For more information, visit https://www.ceramictilefoundation.org. Follow CTEF on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ctilef, and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CeramicTileEducationFoundation/
About the National Tile Contractors Association
The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) is a non-profit trade association serving every segment of the industry, spearheading education for the professional installation of ceramic tile, natural stone, and allied products.
For more information, please contact NTCA executive director Bart Bettiga at [email protected], via telephone at (601) 939-2071, or visit www.tile-assn.com.
