Champion It Forward Launches With $300,000 for Collision Repair
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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.