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Lowe’s Gives $9M to Underserved Students for Higher Education

Lowe’s is in the business of building. Building homes, communities… and careers. And we believe greater access to education leads to more opportunities. For 20 years, Lowe’s has partnered with top organizations to open more doors for students to access higher education. As just one example, last year, Lowe’s made a $10 million investment in a public-private initiative that included a significant contribution to Johnson C. Smith University.

Now, through a series of unique partnerships, Lowe’s is investing another $9 million in select schools and scholarship programs to provide traditionally underrepresented students with pathways to Lowe’s employment. 

I know firsthand the power of education and the impact it has when someone empowers you to go out and take on life’s challenges.

Marvin Ellison, Lowe’s, Chairman and CEO

“For many years, Queens University and the other schools with which we’re partnering have been educating and inspiring young people to become their best selves – to dream bigger, reach higher and achieve more than they might ever have thought possible. These investments will provide critical funding to help more students realize their full potential,” Ellison said.

Through these partnerships, Lowe’s is committed to strengthening our future talent pipeline and building a workforce that can support all of our customers and understand how to fully meet their needs. Today, Lowe’s is excited to share the news of two of the eight institutions receiving funding support. Together, we’re excited to build the future of Lowe’s through these investments in community, higher education and talent development.

Queens University of Charlotte

Lowe’s is thrilled to offer a $2.5 million grant to Queens University that will provide tuition scholarships for Lowe’s cohort business students in the university’s new Charlotte Talent Initiative program. The university, established in 1857, offers 24 undergraduate majors and 10 graduate programs.

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“The Charlotte Talent Initiative is an immersive cohort program designed to accelerate the economic trajectories of students who have historically been excluded,” President Dan Lugo said in a release. “We are beyond honored to have Lowe’s as our first corporate partner in this bold effort that begins to level the playing field for talented young people, regardless of their socioeconomic background, while also fueling Charlotte’s engine of economic mobility.”  

North Carolina Central University

NCCU will receive a $1.5 million investment from Lowe’s. The funding will support the construction and completion of NCC’s business school. Established in 1910, NCC is an active HBCU (Historically Black College or University) and has a student population of about 8,000. It offers programs for Schools of Business, Education, Law, Library & Info Sciences, Graduate Studies and Colleges of Health & Sciences, Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.

 “On behalf of the students, faculty, staff and alumni of NCCU, we are grateful to Lowe’s for their generous gift that will greatly enhance the learning environment and academic experience for our students and amplify our efforts to develop astute business leaders,” said Johnson O. Akinleye, chancellor of NCCU, in the university’s news release. “NCCU’s School of Business is a signature academic program that produces influencers who serve in key leadership roles in numerous business sectors. I’m certain that the new partnership bearing Lowe’s name will fuel new ideas from our scholars that will transform business industries of today and tomorrow.”

Six additional investments will be announced throughout the year. Check back as we continue to share these partnerships and how Lowe’s is building access to opportunities for a growing group of talented and hard-working students. 

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