Natural Stone Foundation Awards $145,000 in Grants to Advance Education, Standards and Natural Stone Promotion
Contact:
Natural Stone Institute
(440) 250-9222
networking@naturalstoneinstitute.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oberlin, OH, January 5, 2026 —The Natural Stone Foundation has approved $145,000 in grants to fund strategic initiatives led by the Natural Stone Institute (NSI), reinforcing the Foundation’s commitment to its three pillars: education and scholarships, standards, and natural stone promotion.
The grant funding supports five key projects:
ISO Standards Project ($37,500) – Developing two new international testing standards to maintain clear distinctions between engineered and natural stone while enhancing NSI’s leadership in global standards and testing.
Silica Safety Certificate Renewal ($22,500) – Providing continuing education for stone professionals to renew their safety credentials and maintain silica safety awareness.
Natural Stone University ($40,000) – Upgrading NSI’s online education platform to improve user experience and mobile access for more than 7,000 learners.
NKBA Natural Stone Specialty Badge ($20,000) – Partnering with the National Kitchen & Bath Association to create a new designer-focused badge launching at KBIS 2026. The program will educate designers on the inherent value of natural stone and strengthen confidence in specifying stone as a responsible, high-performance material.
Natural Stone Sustainability Program ($25,000) – Advancing transparency, responsible sourcing, and public education around the environmental benefits of natural stone. This includes supporting the development of industry-average Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), which provide verified, standardized data on the environmental impacts of natural stone across its full life cycle.
“These grants reflect our shared vision to invest in programs that have a lasting impact on the natural stone community,” said Brie Pfannenbecker, 2025 Board President of the Natural Stone Foundation. “By supporting education, standards, and promotion, we’re strengthening the future of our industry.”
The Foundation also established June 1 as the annual grant submission deadline. Grant applications for the 2026 grant cycle must be submitted by the deadline and will be reviewed.
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About the Natural Stone Institute
The Natural Stone Institute (NSI) is a trade association representing more than 2,000 members in over 50 nations in virtually every aspect of the global natural stone industry. NSI is dedicated to increasing awareness of natural stone as one of nature’s most enduring, inspiring, and sustainable building materials. We offer opportunities for professionals of all fields, backgrounds, and career levels to connect on natural stone industry challenges, meet potential business partners, and grow their expertise and influence. NSI plays a central role in advancing professionalism, technical standards, and safety through a commitment to training, regulatory advocacy, third-party testing, and rigorous credentialing. Learn more about NSI’s programs, publications, and passion for the natural stone industry at www.naturalstoneinstitute.org.
About the Natural Stone Foundation
The Natural Stone Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Natural Stone Institute, supporting education, scholarships, standards, and natural stone promotion. Learn more at naturalstoneinstitute.org/foundation.
