Chicago – October 29, 2026 -- Crash Champions raised $300,000 in September to seed Champion It Forward, a new independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit aimed at a collision repair labor shortage in which more than 55% of auto body repair technician roles are unfilled.
Industry data puts collision repair demand at nearly 100,000 technicians over five years
The workforce gap is the organization's founding premise. According to the latest industry data cited by the group, the sector needs nearly 100,000 technicians over the next five years. Champion It Forward plans to widen career pathways, expand mentorship and provide financial support for aspiring technicians.
Crash Champions' charity golf outing supplied the first $300,000
Crash Champions, a founder-led collision repair provider, raised the funds at its annual Champions Classic. Founder and CEO Matt Ebert said the nonprofit is designed to unite the automotive and collision repair industries around building and sustaining a workforce.
LKQ and 3M provide additional executive leadership support to the board. Board member Dave Gunderson, President of 3M's Automotive Aftermarket Division, said the $300,000 lets the organization begin turning shared industry commitment into action.
Paid apprenticeships, educational support and tool grants are the planned programs
The organization is developing programs in three formats: paid apprenticeships, educational support and tool grants. Its early priorities are:
- Building awareness of collision repair and the skilled trades as viable careers.
- Reducing financial barriers to technical training, certifications and paid apprenticeships through scholarships.
- Bringing automotive insurance carriers, suppliers and educators together to invest in new technicians.
The launch comes as collision repair employers nationwide continue to focus on recruiting and developing skilled technicians and on building more consistent routes into the profession.