Don't Leave Money On The Table!
Real Dollars for Training, Equipment,
and Growth, But Only If You Act
Foundry leaders are being asked to solve hard problems with fewer options. You are expected to train and retain talent, invest in new equipment, expand capacity, and improve efficiency, all while margins are tight and uncertainty is high. In that environment, one thing should be clear: available funding is not something you can afford to ignore.
Right now, grant dollars exist to support workforce training, equipment purchases, process improvements, and expansion projects. The difference between foundries that secure this funding and those that do not is often not eligibility, it is awareness, timing, and follow-through.
That is exactly why NFFS created the Grants Resource member benefit.
Through its partnership with Lakeview Consulting, NFFS gives members access to practical tools and expert guidance to help identify, pursue, and win manufacturing-related grants. This is not a theoretical exercise. These are real opportunities that can offset costs, accelerate projects, and strengthen your competitive position.
Here is the reality many members do not realize: these grants are being pursued right now. NFFS members are allowing others to access and compete for the same funding. When grants are first-come, first-served or limited to short application windows, waiting is often the same as opting out.
At the center of this benefit is the Lakeview Manufacturing Grant Database, available at no cost to NFFS members. Updated monthly, the database allows foundries to quickly search for active grants by state, funding type, eligibility, and project focus. Whether you are looking to fund training programs, workforce development initiatives, equipment upgrades, or operational improvements, this tool helps you move from “we should look into this” to “this is worth pursuing.”
To help members turn access into action, NFFS hosted a Grant Database Information Webinar led by Micki Vandeloo of Lakeview Consulting and moderated by Bill Padnos, NFFS Director of Workforce Development. The focus is practical: how to search smarter, how to identify the right opportunities, and how to avoid missing deadlines that cost real money.
How Smart Members Are Using This Benefit
Members who see results do not treat this as a one-time resource. They build it into how they plan and invest.
- They check the grant database regularly so opportunities do not pass them by.
- They search with intent, focusing on training, workforce development, equipment, and efficiency projects already on their roadmap.
- They save and track opportunities so deadlines and requirements stay visible.
- They show up to monthly office hours to ask questions and get clarity before committing time and resources.
- They lean on expert support when the opportunity justifies it, using the NFFS member discount to reduce risk and effort.
In addition to the database, NFFS members have access to monthly office hours with a Lakeview Consulting grants expert, providing direct, live guidance. Grant highlights are also shared through NFFS communications to keep opportunities front and center. For members seeking hands-on assistance, a 10 percent discount on Tier 1–3 consulting plans makes deeper support more accessible.
The bottom line is simple. Funding exists right now. NFFS has already negotiated access, removed barriers, and brought expertise to the table on behalf of its members. The only thing left is for you to use it.
If your foundry is investing in people, planning capital improvements, or looking for ways to move forward with less financial risk, this member benefit was designed for you. Do not assume you will “get to it later.” Later is often too late.
Do not leave money on the table
For questions or assistance accessing these resources, contact: