GENE HAAS FOUNDATION MISSION STATEMENT

To introduce to and educate individuals for the field of manufacturing technologies specifically CNC machining.

Black and white photo of Gene Haas sitting on a table in a cluttered workshop or storage room, with boxes, equipment, and supplies in the background, and fluorescent lights overhead.

The Gene Haas Foundation was established to give back to the community by supporting local charities in Ventura County, California, where Gene Haas’s business is based. Early efforts focused on organizations that assist those in need.

 Over time, the Foundation’s mission expanded to support a cause Gene Haas is deeply passionate about: enhancing manufacturing education and introducing young people to careers in industry. The Foundation now plays a significant role in advancing technical education through several initiatives:

  • Scholarship grants awarded to schools for students to receive CNC training

  • Sponsorship of teams to participate in robotics and racing competitions where they design and manufacture the “product”

  • Teacher Training: Grant funded, summer training programs at seven selected schools, taught by skillful, experienced educators

  • Haas Technical Educators Conferences (HTEC): Collaborative events for educators to be introduced to the latest technology and share best practices. 

  • Gene Haas Centers and Labs: An endorsement grant award for preeminent training facilities and schools who are expanding their programs.

 Through these initiatives, tens of thousands of students have received scholarships, participated in FIRST and SAE competitions, and gained hands-on experience in manufacturing.

 Today, the Gene Haas Foundation donates millions annually to educational programs. All grants are awarded exclusively to tax-exempt entities through an online application process. In 2025 alone, the Foundation distributed over $40 million in grants, bringing its total contributions since 1999 to more than $265 million.