Every year Chris, Lucy and I give what we can to a variety of charities. And we are picky. We do our research. And look at the records that charities file each year (here’s a primer).
The following woodworking organizations are ones we have supported with both money and time. If you are interested in supporting charitable woodworking organizations, here are some to consider.
There is no political message in these choices. We do our best to help those who want to enter the worl of woodworking. The best way to ensure the survival of our craft is to widen the net.
Roger Cliffe Memorial Foundation
Chris has supported this foundation, which is affiliated with the Marc Adams School of Woodworking, for more than two decades. The foundation funds a variety of scholarships, from strictly need-based to military to young woodworkers.
Based in the U.K., Pathcarvers offers hands-on training for a variety of students, including those in drug and alcohol rehabilitation, those using mental health services, low-income families and prisons. You can help fund their work through the Kieran Binnie Fund for Craft, a fund that we helped launch with the oraganization.
Run by Rob Cosman, the Purple Heart Project provides woodworking training to wounded veterans. You can donate via this page. All donations go 100 percent to help veterans.
A Baltimore-based workshop program that provides training and support for woodworkers who are women or non-gender conforming. WOO offers a wide variety of courses and Open Shop Hours. You can donate here.
This Los Angeles-based organization provides training and work for people experiencing homelessness or poverty. People in the program make a variety of objects for sale in the Would Works store. You can donate here.
This organization helps support new chairmakers and toolmakers who have traditionally been excluded from the craft because of their gender, race or other factors. We have sponsored multiple scholarship classes at our shop, and will hold two more in 2025. You can donate money or tools here.
Friends of the Florida School of Woodwork
This charity funds a variety of woodworking scholarships based on financial need or other factors. You can donate here.
Port Townsend School of Woodworking
Donations to this non-profit woodworking school help support scholarships for a diverse population of fine woodworking students. You can donate here.
— Christopher Schwarz & Megan Fitzpatrick