Hoffman Estates, Ill. (June 2026) –
The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is proud to recognize and thank the many industry partners whose in-kind donations continue to shape the future of collision repair education. In 2025 alone, these contributions totaled over $9 million, equipping schools across the country with the tools, technology and resources needed to prepare students for real-world careers in the collision repair industry.
While financial contributions and scholarships often take center stage, in-kind donors remain some of the industry’s most impactful – and often unsung – supporters. By providing modern equipment, software and materials directly to classrooms, these companies enable students to train in environments that closely mirror today’s repair facilities.
“In-kind donations are one of the most meaningful ways the industry can support collision education,” says CREF Executive Director Brandon Eckenrode. “Instructors consistently share that their greatest need is access to current tools, equipment and vehicles that reflect what students will encounter in the field. These donations allow students to learn, practice and refine essential skills in a hands-on environment, which is critical to their success as they enter the workforce.”
Collision education programs across the U.S. often operate within tight budgets, limiting their ability to invest in up-to-date equipment and resources. Through partnerships with CREF, in-kind donors help bridge the gap between the classroom and the shop floor, ensuring that students don’t just learn theory; they gain practical experience using the same tools and systems found in modern repair facilities.
“Access to modern tools and software provides students with valuable, real-world experience,” shares Ryan Byrne, instructor at Chantilly High School in Chantilly, VA. “It improves accuracy, builds efficiency and increases familiarity with the insurance and claims process. That experience makes the transition from school to the workplace much smoother.”
Chad Crum, instructor at Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Knoxville, TN echoes that sentiment, emphasizing that exposure to real-world tools is essential to student success: “We try to replicate real-life repairs as closely as possible. When students train with the same tools they’ll use in the industry, they graduate more confident and better prepared.”
“Providing students with access to current technology is imperative,” notes CREF Director of Operations and Impact Melissa Marscin. “Learning modern repair techniques on industry-standard equipment gives students a strong foundation for their careers. Without the support of in-kind donors, many programs simply wouldn’t be able to offer that level of training.”
From repair planning platforms to consumable materials and replacement parts, these contributions create opportunities for students to develop critical thinking, technical precision and confidence – skills that are essential in an increasingly complex repair landscape.
A significant portion of 2025’s in-kind support came from industry-leading software providers, whose contributions allow students to gain experience with the same systems used daily by collision repair facilities and insurers. CCC Intelligent Solutions contributed $7,546,044, supporting 291 schools and 9,457 students. Mitchell International provided $841,116 in software access to 60 schools and 2,423 students. Audatex donated $253,155, benefiting 21 schools and 861 students. These platforms introduce students to repair planning, estimating and claims processes – core competencies that are increasingly vital in today’s data-driven repair environment.
Beyond software, multiple donors contributed physical materials and equipment that allow students to actively participate in the repair process. “In-kind donations like these allow students to physically engage with the repair process,” Marscin noted. “It’s one thing to learn about a tool in theory – it’s another to put it in your hands and understand how it works in a real repair scenario.”
Access to real vehicle components is another critical element of collision education, enabling students to practice repairs in a realistic, hands-on environment.
Empire Auto Parts donated $22,925 in aftermarket parts to support 120 students at Vanguard High School, while also demonstrating ongoing commitment with larger planned contributions.
LKQ Corporation provided $9,400 in recycled OEM parts – including hoods, doors and fenders – to two schools (Surry Community College and Technology, Exploration and Career Center West), impacting 104 students.
These types of donations allow students to work on real components rather than simulations, giving them a clearer understanding of repair techniques, fitment and structural considerations.
The collision repair industry continues to face a dual challenge: increasingly advanced vehicle technology and a growing need for skilled technicians. In-kind donations play a vital role in addressing both.
By equipping classrooms with current tools and materials, donors help ensure that students graduate with relevant, job-ready skills, thus reducing the learning curve as they enter the workforce and strengthening the industry’s talent pipeline.
“The future of the collision repair industry depends on investing in people,” Eckenrode stresses. “These donations are not just about equipment – they’re about opportunity. They give students the chance to build careers, and they give the industry a stronger, more prepared workforce.”
While individual contributions vary in size and scope, their collective impact is undeniable. Each donated tool, software license and component represents an investment in the next generation of technicians, estimators and industry professionals.
Together, these in-kind donors are helping expand access to modern repair technology, enhance hands-on learning opportunities, support instructors in delivering high-quality education and prepare students for successful entry into the workforce. Perhaps most importantly, they are helping to ensure that collision repair education keeps pace with the rapidly evolving demands of the industry.
As CREF continues its mission to support collision education programs nationwide, partnerships with in-kind donors remain a cornerstone of that effort. “These contributions directly impact students’ ability to learn and succeed,” Eckenrode states. “We are incredibly grateful to every company that has stepped up to support collision education in this way. Their generosity is making a difference in classrooms every single day.”
Industry members interested in getting involved and supporting the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s efforts to assist high school and college collision repair training programs can Contact Us to learn about the many ways to get involved. Monetary donations can be made online, or sign up for The Donation Exchange to easily provide in-kind resources that collision repair schools and students desperately need.
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The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting collision repair educational programs, schools and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities. For information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation, visit us online at: www.CollisionRepairEducationFoundation.org.
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If you would like more information about this topic or any of CREF’s initiatives, please email info@ed-foundation.org.