RPM Foundation
RPM Foundation is a Tacoma-based non-profit, founded in 2005 as the educational arm of America's Automotive Trust, that funds paid apprenticeships, documents endangered restoration trades, and mentors the next generation of collector-vehicle craftspeople through host shops and colleges.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersTacoma, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What RPM Foundation does
RPM Foundation is a Tacoma, Washington-based 501(c)-style non-profit founded in 2005 (originally as the Collectors Foundation) that operates as the educational arm of America's Automotive Trust. It accelerates entry into the collector-vehicle restoration trades by funding paid apprenticeships at host restoration shops, partnering with colleges such as McPherson, Central Carolina Community College, and Alfred State, and building a national network of master craftspeople willing to mentor. Core programs include the RPM Apprenticeship Program (paid on-the-job training with stipends), the Endangered Skills program (a documentary series and annual Craft Ledger cataloguing dying restoration trades such as radiator core-shell mating and babbitting), the Restorer's Award (presented at Concours d'Elegance venues), the Great Race X-Cup student rally, and outreach programs (Shop Hops, Off to the Races, Behind the Scenes). A volunteer Ambassador program provides distributed national representation.
The foundation does not sell products commercially; it distributes educational services free of charge to apprentices, funded by individual and corporate donations, foundation grants, honorarium gifts, and donations of vintage vehicles. Revenue mechanics are donation-driven, with Hagerty as the founding sponsor and the Hagerty Drivers Foundation underwriting specific initiatives such as the Endangered Skills docu-series. GTM is community-led and event-driven: apprentices are recruited through ambassadors, word-of-mouth, educational partnerships, and presence at car shows, auctions, and Concours events; awareness and donor activation run through the website, an Instagram/TikTok social presence, the monthly Under the Hood email newsletter, and earned media in automotive press. The organization reports having impacted more than 25,000 people and awarded more than $3.5 million in cumulative grant funding since inception.
RPM Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- RPM Foundation
- Legal name
- RPM Foundation
- Website
- https://rpm.foundation
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- RPM Foundation is a Tacoma-based non-profit, founded in 2005 as the educational arm of America's Automotive Trust, that funds paid apprenticeships, documents endangered restoration trades, and mentors the next generation of collector-vehicle craftspeople through host shops and colleges.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
RPM Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Automotive Restoration Vocational Training
- NAICS
- Automotive Body, Paint, and Interior Repair and Maintenance (811121), Automotive Body, Paint, Interior, and Glass Repair (81112)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Automotive Body Repair, Paint & Refinishing (Collision) (EDAOAEAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Collision Repair, Bodywork & Paint (Light-Duty) (TLAKAAAK)
Keywords
Where RPM Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tacoma
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
RPM Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: RPM Foundation operates as a non-profit organization funded primarily through donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The organization accepts everyday giving, honorarium gifts, and vehicle donations to support education programs and preserve automotive craftsmanship.
- Vehicle Donations: The foundation accepts donations of vintage vehicles and collector cars, which are used for education, outreach, and fundraising purposes. Vehicles in various conditions, including those needing restoration, are accepted.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
RPM Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
RPM Foundation accelerates the growth of automotive restoration and preservation craftsmen through paid apprenticeships placed at host restoration shops, mentorship programs, and the documentation of endangered restoration skills via its Endangered Skills documentary series and annual Craft Ledger. The organization also runs the Great Race X-Cup student competition, the Restorer's Award presented at Concours events, and outreach programs (Shop Hops, Off to the Races, Behind the Scenes) connecting aspiring professionals with the collector vehicle industry.
Product overview
RPM Foundation is a non-profit educational organization offering a portfolio of programs focused on vehicle restoration and preservation training. The core offerings include the RPM Apprenticeship Program (paid on-the-job training at restoration shops), the Endangered Skills Program (docu-series and annual Craft Ledger documenting disappearing restoration crafts), the Great Race X-Cup (competitive endurance rally for student teams), and the Restorer's Award (recognition for master craftspeople with emphasis on mentorship). Supporting programs include outreach initiatives (Shop Hops, Off to the Races, Behind the Scenes), the RPM Ambassador volunteer program, vehicle donation acceptance, and the Under the Hood newsletter. The organization is the educational arm of America's Automotive Trust.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- RPM Apprenticeship Program
Quantifiable outcome
- More than 25,000 people impacted by RPM Foundation programs
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use RPM Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
RPM Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
RPM Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- America's Automotive TrustflagshipRPM Foundation transitioned in 2014 to become the Hagerty Education Program at America's Car Museum, and now operates as an entity of America's Automotive Trust. The Trust provides organizational infrastructure, expanded fundraising opportunities, and strategic partnerships that amplify RPM's impact.
- HagertyflagshipHagerty established the RPM Foundation (originally as the Collectors Foundation) in 2005 through vision and support. Hagerty is a leading insurance provider and enthusiast organization for collector vehicles, providing founding support that enabled the organization's mission to preserve restoration skills.
- Lucky KrakencoreLucky Kraken assisted with production of the Endangered Skills documentary series, helping to preserve and share rare hands-on techniques vital to keeping classic cars on the road.
- LaVine RestorationscoreLaVine Restorations in Nappanee, Indiana is a partner shop mentoring seven RPM Apprentices and serves as filming location for the Endangered Skills documentary series, with owner Travis LaVine serving as expert presenter.
- The NB CentercoreHost shop for RPM apprentices including Edwin Buiter, providing hands-on training opportunities in collector vehicle restoration and preservation.
- Jack A. Frost MuseumcoreHost shop for RPM apprentices like Lindsey Stone, providing training in bodywork, welding, fabrication, mechanics, and restoration techniques.
- LeMay - America's Car MuseumcoreLeMay - America's Car Museum in Tacoma, WA hosts RPM apprentices including Argy Zelaya Castillo, providing training in classic car and truck restoration across multiple genres and generations.
- Coachcraft & Precision Services (CPS)minorCPS in Elk Grove Village, IL served as filming location for the Endangered Skills episode on radiator core-shell mating, with technicians David Phillips and Sam Waltermire providing supporting material.
- Mickey's Car BarnminorMickey's Car Barn in Crown Point, IN is a host shop with owner Tim Mickey providing co-op opportunities through local high school automotive programs, with several students going on to careers in the shop.
- Central Carolina Community CollegeminorStudents from Central Carolina Community College's Automotive Restoration program restored a 1940 Ford Deluxe Coupe for the Motorcar Cavalcade event, demonstrating practical application of newly learned technical skills.
- Vintage Car RadiatorminorRobert Smith of Vintage Car Radiator from the UK visited to document the radiator core-and-shell mating process for the Endangered Skills series, showcasing one of the most endangered skills in vintage automotive restoration.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
RPM Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Universal Technical Institute (UTI): UTI is the largest US provider of technical training for automotive, diesel, collision repair, and welding trades, including content on restoration-adjacent skills like bodywork and refinishing. It competes for the same pool of aspiring tradespeople and represents the broader-scale incumbent in vocational automotive education that RPM sits adjacent to.
Direct peers
- WyoTech: WyoTech operates one of the longest-running collision, refinishing, and restoration training programs in the US, training students in the same automotive body, paint, and mechanical skills RPM's apprenticeship targets. Both compete for aspiring restoration and collision repair technicians, though WyoTech operates a tuition-based for-profit model.
- Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF): CREF is a non-profit that supports collision repair training programs through scholarships, grants, and program support, addressing many of the same skilled-trade pipeline issues as RPM. Both compete for industry donations and recruit from overlapping technical education programs.
- LeMay - America's Car Museum: America's Car Museum is RPM's sister organization within America's Automotive Trust and hosts RPM apprentices at its Tacoma facility. Both serve overlapping audiences of collector vehicle enthusiasts, and the museum's exhibits and events drive traffic into RPM's apprenticeship and outreach programming.
- McPherson College Automotive Restoration Program: McPherson College offers the only ABET-accredited four-year bachelor's degree in automotive restoration and is a key educational pathway RPM apprentice Edwin Buiter pursued. Both organizations train entry-level restoration professionals for collector vehicle shops, and RPM's host-shop network complements McPherson's classroom-based curriculum.
- Central Carolina Community College Automotive Restoration Program: CCCC operates one of the leading two-year automotive restoration technology programs, training students on vehicles like the 1940 Ford Deluxe Coupe featured at RPM-affiliated events. Both programs serve the same entry point into restoration careers and collaborate through events and projects.
Others
- Hagerty: Hagerty is RPM's founding sponsor, the dominant media and insurance platform for the collector car market, and operates driver education and youth programs (e.g., Hagerty Drivers Foundation) that overlap with RPM's mission. While not a direct competitor, Hagerty's strategic priorities directly shape RPM's funding and visibility.
- Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA): AACA is a national collector car club that promotes preservation and restoration of antique vehicles through judging, events, and education. While it does not run formal apprenticeships, AACA's judging schools and national meets serve a similar enthusiast-and-craft preservation role as RPM's Restorer's Awards and educational outreach.
- SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association): SEMA is the trade association for the specialty automotive aftermarket and operates workforce development initiatives, scholarships, and education programs that intersect with RPM's mission to build the next generation of automotive craftsmen. Both organizations target labor pipeline challenges in automotive trades, though SEMA's scope is much broader.
Regional players
- Classic Car Restoration Club of America: Local and regional restoration clubs across the US (such as the Classic Car Club of America) provide apprenticeship-adjacent mentorship, technical sessions, and networking for aspiring restorers. While fragmented, they collectively compete with RPM for mentee attention and represent the grassroots community RPM's Ambassador Program seeks to organize.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
RPM Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceRPM Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
RPM Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
RPM Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
RPM Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments2 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about RPM Foundation
What does RPM Foundation do?
RPM Foundation accelerates the growth of automotive restoration and preservation craftsmen through paid apprenticeships placed at host restoration shops, mentorship programs, and the documentation of endangered restoration skills via its Endangered Skills documentary series and annual Craft Ledger. The organization also runs the Great Race X-Cup student competition, the Restorer's Award presented at Concours events, and outreach programs (Shop Hops, Off to the Races, Behind the Scenes) connecting aspiring professionals with the collector vehicle industry.
Is RPM Foundation a public or private company?
RPM Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was RPM Foundation founded?
RPM Foundation was founded in 2005. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is RPM Foundation based?
RPM Foundation is headquartered in Tacoma, United States, in the North America region.
How does RPM Foundation make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are vehicle Donations.
Who are RPM Foundation's main competitors?
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are WyoTech, Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), LeMay - America's Car Museum, McPherson College Automotive Restoration Program and Central Carolina Community College Automotive Restoration Program. Others are Hagerty, Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) and SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association). Classic Car Restoration Club of America is listed as a regional player.
Does RPM Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for RPM Foundation.
What industry is RPM Foundation in?
RPM Foundation's product category is Automotive Restoration Vocational Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAOAEAC, Automotive Body Repair, Paint & Refinishing (Collision), with a secondary code of TLAKAAAK, Collision Repair, Bodywork & Paint (Light-Duty). Its NAICS code is 811121.