GRIT Foundation

08/29/2026

08/29/2026

T-minus 4 days til the National Comfort Institute’s High Performance Summit in Pigeon Forge, TN!

Looking forward to seeing everyone again!

Ty, Bryan Orr and me will be at the GRIT Foundation booth so stop by and say hello.

Also consider attending the technical breakout session with Ty Branaman & Adam Mufich, their topic being:

“High-Performance Heat Pumps: Reverse Cycle: Putting the Questions First”

These two are fantastic.

Hope to see you all soon! 💯

08/21/2026

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

Join us for the GRIT Invitational on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Clermont National Golf Course.

Register Here: https://kalos.jotform.com/form/golf-invitational-registration

18-hole golf scramble
Cart included
Complimentary lunch at The View
Drink tickets
Giveaways, contests & prizes
Cash prizes for Closest to the Pin & Longest Putt

Individual Player: $175
Foursome: $600
Mulligans: $20 each or 3 for $50

100% of net proceeds support the GRIT Foundation, helping strengthen the skilled trades through mentorship and hands-on youth development.

Registration opens at 7:00 AM, with an 8:30 AM shotgun start.

Grab your spot today. Registration is open now!

08/20/2026

This fall, GRIT is working on making our classroom Workshops more consistent and bringing them into schools and training rooms, locally and beyond. They’re different from our GRIT Camps, but still hands-on, practical, and pretty cool.

Ty Branaman and Leilani met up at Kalos Services yesterday for another short run-through of the session before taking it into upcoming schools, and a few of Leilani’s kids got to join in for an extra-fun science hour with Ty.

Sail Orr’s review:

“That was so much fun. I love how the blower and the air duct worked, and I think HVAC is awesome.”

And that’s really the point.

Keep it real. Keep it tangible. Make it applicable. Let kids see, touch, question, and get curious about how things actually work.

We already have GRIT Workshops scheduled and are meeting with more local instructors in construction and other programs these next couple weeks to bring these sessions into more classrooms and learning spaces.

Want to bring a GRIT Workshop to your classroom or training room this year?

Abby Thompson: [email protected]
Leilani Orr: [email protected]

Real Tools. Real Mentors. Real Learning.

08/14/2026

Join GRIT Foundation at the 2026 NCI High-Performance HVAC Summit!

We’re excited to be attending the 23rd annual National Comfort Institute (NCI) High-Performance HVAC Summit, taking place September 1–3, 2026, at Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

This year’s theme, “CULTURE! The Heart of Home Performance,” focuses on building stronger teams, developing people, and creating lasting success throughout the industry. These values closely align with GRIT Foundation’s mission to inspire the next generation of skilled trades professionals through hands-on learning and meaningful mentorship.

If you’ll be attending the Summit, we’d love to connect. Stop by to meet our team, learn more about GRIT’s programs, and discover how we’re working alongside industry partners to strengthen the future of the skilled trades.

08/12/2026

Les and Adam took some time to sit with Leilani Orr and discuss developing people in the trades, our camps and and the fact that Les has more kids than Leilani. I guess it’s a competition. 😂

Anyhow follow these guys from Chill Under Pressure, they’re pretty cool.

Welcome back to Chill Under Pressure! Leilani from ⁩...

08/04/2026

GRIT Foundation Golf Invitational Sponsors Needed!

Become a sponsor of the GRIT Foundation Golf Invitational and help us inspire the youth about the skilled trades.

The event will take place on October 17th in Clermont, FL at Clermont National.

Your sponsorship directly supports hands-on workshops, mentorship opportunities, and career exploration experiences that introduce students to rewarding careers in the trades.

Join industry leaders who are making a real difference in the future workforce.

A huge thank you to everyone who has already sponsored the GRIT Golf Invitational, your contribution to our mission is greatly appreciated .

Contact us today to learn more or become a sponsor:
[email protected]
[email protected]

07/31/2026

At our recent GRIT Camp with NAVAC in Versailles, KY, we had the opportunity to welcome Thomas Hoffmaster II as a first-time GRIT Mentor. After completing the GRIT Mentor Training Course, Thomas arrived at camp feeling ready to create a meaningful experience for students.

Thomas shared that the mentor training played an important role in helping him feel ready for camp day. “The material in the training was well done by Ty and it really helped me prepare and lose the apprehension of not knowing what to expect.” He also highlighted the value of the safety-focused approach and how the course provided practical guidance for working with students, including strategies for using the Socratic method to make learning engaging and enjoyable.

During camp, Thomas embraced the GRIT Mentor approach and helped create a positive, encouraging environment where students could explore the skilled trades with confidence. Reflecting on the experience, he shared, “Watching the campers ask questions with a real desire to learn and seeing them light up with smiles at what they had accomplished was worth every minute and mile.”

Thomas’s experience is a great example of the impact prepared and passionate mentors can have on students. By equipping mentors with the tools to teach, encourage, and connect, GRIT is building a community of mentors who help inspire the next generation of skilled trades professionals.

Thank you, Thomas, for bringing your enthusiasm, dedication, and commitment to GRIT Camp. We are grateful for the positive impact you made!

07/29/2026

A huge thank you to Rob and Dawn Minnick for their generous support of the GRIT Foundation!

Because of partners like Rob and Dawn, more students have the opportunity to experience hands-on learning, connect with skilled trades mentors, and discover rewarding careers in the trades. Their generosity helps us continue inspiring the next generation of builders, problem-solvers, and industry leaders.

Thank you, Rob and Dawn, for believing in our mission and investing in the future of the skilled trades. We are incredibly grateful for your support!

07/27/2026

Last week, the GRIT Foundation had the opportunity to bring our hands-on learning experience to the Boys & Girls Club of America's 2026 College & Career Experience. We were excited to introduce students to the world of skilled trades in an engaging and interactive way.

Throughout the event, Ty Branaman and Leilani Orr guided participants as they explored the hidden science behind the skilled trades. By using hands-on activities, students were able to discover how curiosity, problem-solving, and technical skills come together in careers that build and maintain our communities.

The response from the students was overwhelmingly positive, with many sharing that our booth was their favorite part of the event. We’re grateful to the Boys & Girls Club of America for the opportunity to connect with so many people and help inspire the next generation of skilled trades professionals.