Supporting Tomorrow’s Toolmen Today!
Why
Bendix?
Today, only one new skilled trades worker is entering the trades for every five who retire.
It’s estimated that in the next decade, 2.5 million jobs will go unfilled because of the growing skills gap crisis.
We must take action now.
There is a massive
skilled labor shortage in the U.S.
At Bendix, we’re getting kids to put down their phones and instead pick up tools to learn the art of toolmanship. Linked with skilled mentors, we tie generations together to explore, teach, and learn the mechanical world.
We are building a place for gnerations to explore, teach, and learn the mechanical world together. At Bendix Academy, we create:
TOMORROW’S TOOLMEN TODAY!
⚙️ Start building futures — one month at a time. ⚙️
Become a Sustainer of Toolmanship
Join the Bendix Academy Monthly Giving Circle
At Bendix Academy, we believe that every child deserves the chance to build, to create, and to know how things work. Our mentors teach young people real-life skills through hands-on toolmanship — and your monthly support helps us provide the tools, training, and time that make it all possible.
We invite you to become a Sustainer today— a valued monthly donor whose impact adds up to real change! Select a level below, or choose any amount that’s right for you.
Why Monthly Gifts Matter
Your sustaining support helps us:
⚙️$ 5 Ensures the essentials are within reach
⚙️$ 17 Puts the right hand tools into young hands
⚙️$33 Covers corded tools enhancing project depth
⚙️$67 Expands our reach to more young builders every year
Every dollar helps us ignite curiosity, build confidence, and teach the timeless value of working with hands.
🔧 Socket Wrenchers
Level
Small tool, big impact!
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Your impact: You keep the shelves supplied with workshop lesson essentials like wood, fasteners, and basic safety equipment.
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We thank you with: Personalized Hex Nut address labels and first notice of quarterly newsletter highlights
🔩 Clamp Crew
Level
Holding tight with hand tools!
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Your impact: You help keep each station ready by funding clamps, vises, and all manner of hand tools necessary for skill-building projects.
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We thank you with: Personalized Hex Nut labels, and a Bendix Academy ball point pen
🛠️ Workbench Warrior
Level
Building skills that last!
- Your impact: You bring full power to the workshop and put bigger projects within reach helping supply battery packs and corded tools like saws and drills.
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We thank you with: Address labels, pen, plus a postcard of gratitude from a current student
🧰Torque Titan
Level
Powering next generations!
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Your impact: You help serve more families faster by fueling mentor training, student onboarding, and scalable systems
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We thank you with: “Hex Nut” labels and pen, plus a personalized student video telling how toolmanship makes a difference
Who does your gift of $5 / month help?
With just $5 a month, you help every Bendix Academy student gain hands-on experience in a real workshop—learning how to use tools safely, build with confidence, and explore how toolmanship fits in their future.
Why does $5 / month matter so much?
When you donate just the amount of one latte per month, you TANGIBLY make a difference by helping supplying everything on these shelves, giving young minds a continuous supply of new lessons and educational projects.
More ways to support Bendix Academy!
Talk to your tax advisor to find out if you can support Bendix Academy while reducing your tax liability through a DAF, IRA RMD, employer match, stock transfer, or planned legacy gift.
Questions? Email toolmen@bendixacademy.org or fill out this handy form.
Required Minimum Distributions
A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is a direct transfer of funds from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to an eligible charity. This transfer satisfies the Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) for the year and provides a tax-advantaged way to donate.
Individuals who are in RMD status—those 70 or older under the previous law, or 72 and older under the updated law—can contribute up to $100,000 annually to one or more charities directly from their taxable IRA, bypassing the need to take their RMD as taxable income.
Help Rover roll over his IRA!
Utilizing a QCD can help lower your taxable income, and directing an RMD from your IRA straight to a charity can substantially reduce both federal and state tax liabilities.
Consider supporting Bendix Academy through your DAF.
Time, Talent, and Treasure – Sharing Valuable Resources
Supporting Bendix Academy with your time, talent, or treasure helps equip the next generation with essential hands-on skills, fostering mechanical self-reliance and problem-solving abilities. Every contribution—whether mentoring a student, sharing expertise, or making a donation—directly impacts young learners, empowering them to build confidence, careers, and a stronger future.
Sharing and supporting happens in many ways:
TIME
Bendix Academy offers many opportunities to volunteer:
- Administrative
- Facilities
- Events
- Advisory Board
- Partner Organization
- Fundraising
- Boardwork
- Other ______
Become a Mentor
TALENT
Share your toolmenship experience with the next generation by becoming a mentor!
Read more stories about Bendix Mentors or email toolmen@bendixacademy.org if you have questions.
Ready to share your talent? Fill out an application to become a Bendix Academy Mentor!
TREASURE
Support the next generation!
Your donation of any amount helps provide toolmanship lessons to students eager to learn these skills. We also graciously accept donations of shop materials and used items.
$5/month can help a student discover a lifetime of skills!
Toolmen Times Columns
Click on the categories below to catch up on current and previous Bendis Academy Toolmen Times Quarterly Newsletter columns!
Join us in shaping Tomorrow's Toolmen Today!
See Bendix Academy in Action
A picture speaks a thousand words, but a visit is priceless. Bendix Academy invites everyone with interest to email toolmen@bendixacademy.org or call us at 810-599-4035 to schedule a tour (no walk-ins please) and see why we're growing.
You'll experience the impact firsthand!
Support the Next Generation
Want to make a difference? Just $5/month can help a student discover a lifetime of skills. Just click on the red button to support with your donation of any amount. Every contribution counts!
