The Home Builders Association of Monroe County is dissolving after 56 years, but its mission will continue through two new endowed funds, according to a community announcement.
The association partnered with the Community Foundation of Monroe County to create the funds, which aim to provide educational opportunities for local students and aspiring builders.
The Home Builders Association of Monroe County Endowed Scholarship Fund will offer scholarships to Monroe County residents who are high school graduates or equivalent. The scholarships are available for those enrolling in any accredited post-secondary institution, including colleges, universities and trade schools. Both traditional students entering school directly after graduation and non-traditional students returning to school later in life are eligible.
The second fund will support the Robert L. Polk and John D. Kohler Annual Student Design Competition, which has been inspiring students in design for 44 years. The competition is open to all Monroe County students in grades 7-12, encouraging creativity and technical skills in design.
The Home Builders Association of Monroe County was founded in 1969 and has played a significant role in shaping the local building industry. Over the years, it has championed policies promoting housing as a national priority, supported industry professionals and enriched the broader community through education, consumer advocacy and charitable initiatives.
As the association nears its final chapter, its leadership is committed to ensuring its mission continues. By establishing these funds, the organization aims to benefit Monroe County students for years to come.
“It’s important to us to see that the funds that the Home Builders Association of Monroe County has worked for and saved for 56 years stay in the community that gave us our living,” said Bill Kipf, a member of the Home Builders Association of Monroe County.
By entrusting these funds to the Community Foundation of Monroe County, the association’s legacy will continue to shape the future of the building industry in the area.
For more information about the Robert L. Polk and John D. Kohler Annual Student Design Competition, go to kohlerarchitect.net/2025/03/04/44th-annual-student-design-competition. To learn more about the funds and apply for scholarships, go to cfmonroe.org.
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