Evanston-based nonprofit Aspiritech has proudly been selected to receive a $150,000 grant as part of the Lowe’s Community Impact program, helping to check off a bucket list renovation project that will strengthen Aspiritech’s impact on the neurodiversity community in Chicagoland and beyond. Through the program, Lowe’s will invest $10 million in Lowe’s Community Impact Grants and an additional $10 million to support more than 2,000 associate-led impact projects that will improve community spaces nationwide.
The Lowe’s Community Impact Grant will benefit Aspiritech’s Evanston headquarters by funding critical building repairs, bringing the space into ADA compliance and creating a more neurodivergent-friendly working environment for Aspiritech’s team members, 90% of whom are autistic.
One of 100 community projects that make up 2026 grant recipients, the renovation will also include the construction of a dedicated classroom space for Aspiritech Academy, a rapidly growing career training program for neurodivergent adults offered at no cost to participants.
The project will be completed over the next three to four months in partnership with Design to Finish and Lincolnwood Lowe’s, whose Red Vest volunteers will join Aspiritech for a hands-on volunteer event during the renovation period.
“Our headquarters in Evanston is a beautiful space and a stake in the ground for Aspiritech’s long future,” Aspiritech CEO Tara May said. “This incredible grant makes it possible for us to renovate the office to match our organization’s growing work and mission in meaningful employment for autistic adults.”
“As we’re approaching the current issues with our floor plan and acoustics with intention, I imagine we’re about to get a whole lot better use out of the space we have. Better for comfort, focus on tasks, maybe even better ergonomics,” said Eric States, a Cybersecurity Technician Apprentice and Engagement Manager at Aspiritech. “We work well in an office that works well for us.”
The investment fulfills Lowe’s Community Impact Program’s five-year, $100 million commitment to revitalizing and restoring hometowns. Projects were selected from more than 5,000 nominations through Lowe’s Community Bucket List. Each project will address local needs, from expanding food pantries to restoring shelters and safe housing resources to reviving outdoor spaces and renovating facilities for first responders and veterans.
Visit Lowes.com/HowWeHelp and follow #HowLowesHelps on social media to learn more about Lowe’s Community Impact Projects and follow progress of each project as Lowe’s helps transform spaces nationwide.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tabitha Lyon, Aspiritech Director of Mission Growth and Fundraising, tabitha.lyon@aspiritech.org
Additional inquiries may also be sent to PublicRelations@lowes.com
