The Philip E. &
Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation

NACCE’s establishment of the Philip E. & Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation Center of Entrepreneurship & Innovation provides additional support for each year's cohort of Pitch for the Trades award recipients as well as the annual continuation of the Pitch for the Trades competition each year.

Among the first wave of winners, three schools are currently participating in the national EEVF initiative. NACCE is identifying mentor resources within its community to support each new cohort of participating community colleges. The Pitch for the Trades competition targets college programs and projects in the emerging trades and industries as determined annually by a nationwide survey of stakeholders.

“We are very impressed with the proposals NACCE members continue to submit. The entrepreneurial activity and training programs being created to support emerging opportunities in skilled trades is exciting. The pandemic has clearly not slowed these colleges as they continue to innovate and encourage entrepreneurial activity and job creation in their communities. We admire their leadership, persistence, and ability to adapt during an extended time of uncertainty.”

Carlene Cassidy, CEO
Philip E. & Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation