Events
Annual Gala
Each fall, the Spirit of Construction Foundation hosts a black-tie optional dinner and gala, known as the “Celebration of Construction Gala,” which celebrates the construction industry and recognizes individuals for their lifetime contributions to the industry and the civic, aesthetic, and economic well-being of the Greater Cincinnati region. At this event, the Spirit of Construction Foundation also recognizes college and military scholarship award recipients and education-based grant recipients. It is an event to remember!
Thank You for Making the 28th Annual Gala a Success!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended the 28th Annual Gala and helped us reach our fundraising goal! Your generosity, along with the support of our sponsors and donors, made this event possible, and we are deeply grateful.
It was a joy to gather and celebrate our outstanding honorees. Congratulations once again to our Lifetime Achievement Award recipients: Steve Eder, Dr. George Suckarieh, Steve Ortner, and Doug Keller. We also honor our posthumous award recipients, Mark Stark and Don Neyer, and thank their families and friends for joining us in this special recognition.
The passion, dedication, and camaraderie of the construction industry were on full display throughout the night. Together, we’re empowering workforce education and inspiring the next generation of construction professionals in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to build a brighter future for our industry!
A Big Thank You to Our Gala Co-Chairs, Liza & Albert Smitherman, and the Jostin Construction Team!
🎉 We are incredibly grateful for your leadership and dedication in making this year’s Gala truly special. Your commitment to our cause has inspired us all to Go All In and work together to build a brighter future for the construction industry.
Thanks to the hard work of both you and the entire Jostin Construction team, we’re able to support workforce development programs, provide community-based grants, offer college scholarships, and advocate for career paths in the skilled trades. Your dedication is helping us build it forward in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
Thank you for being a driving force behind this success!
Building Futures One Step at a Time!
At Spirit of Construction, we’re passionate about empowering the next generation of skilled trades workers. That’s why we’re proud to collaborate with organizations like Bigger Than Sneakers, Inc. (BTS), who are equally committed to mentoring and inspiring the leaders of tomorrow.
BTS doesn’t just focus on sneaker culture — they offer mentorship, youth-focused community initiatives, and workshops that encourage creativity and leadership. This shared vision of empowering young people to explore their potential aligns perfectly with our mission to bridge the gap in skilled trades through community-based programs, workforce education opportunities, and professional advocacy.
Join us in making a difference! After the 2024 Gala, donate your gently used sneakers to support BTS and their community initiatives. Drop off your shoes at Jostin Construction by October 25, 2024, and they’ll coordinate delivery to BTS.
Jostin Construction
2335 Florence Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45206
Together, we’re building stronger communities and brighter futures, one step at a time. 💪✨
Building Futures One Step at a Time!
At Spirit of Construction, we’re passionate about empowering the next generation of skilled trades workers. That’s why we’re proud to collaborate with organizations like Bigger Than Sneakers, Inc. (BTS), who are equally committed to mentoring and inspiring the leaders of tomorrow.
BTS doesn’t just focus on sneaker culture — they offer mentorship, youth-focused community initiatives, and workshops that encourage creativity and leadership. This shared vision of empowering young people to explore their potential aligns perfectly with our mission to bridge the gap in skilled trades through community-based programs, workforce education opportunities, and professional advocacy.
Join us in making a difference! After the 2024 Gala, donate your gently used sneakers to support BTS and their community initiatives. Drop off your shoes at Jostin Construction by October 25, 2024, and they’ll coordinate delivery to BTS.
Jostin Construction
2335 Florence Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45206
Together, we’re building stronger communities and brighter futures, one step at a time. 💪✨
Spring Fling
We support local community outreach initiatives that educate young people about the benefits of a career in construction. The programs serve a range of ages, from grade-school students to adults. We provide more than just funds — we also deploy volunteers who share collective insights about the industry and make introductions for those interested in entering the field.
In 2023, Spirit of Construction proudly distributed a combined $80,000 to 15 local, education-based organizations that provided Greater Cincinnati’s youth with the training and skills they need to begin successful careers in construction.
This year, we had the honor of distributing $105,000 to 16 education-based organizations! We’ll be learning more about their exciting educational programs in the coming weeks.
Other Events
Networking Events
Spirit of Construction hosts regular networking events throughout the year as part of our goal to connect the future of construction with the women and men who are so integral to the industry today.
Over the past 5 years, we have contributed over $1.2 million to the programs we support. Last year alone, we raised over $500,000. This year, our goal is $1.3 million.
Why Spirit of Construction?
We focus on encouraging growth, education, and community enhancement projects. Because of this, The Spirit of Construction Foundation is a friend to many local organizations.
Over the past 5 years (in addition to scholarship funding), the SOC Foundation has contributed over $760,000 towards outreach and $1.2 Million since its founding.