The New York Building Foundation, formed in 1998 to promote the long-term growth and well-being of the industry, is advancing the developmentof the next generation of industry leaders by funding initiatives that support students in academic programs related to design, construction and real estate.

Earlier this year, Building Foundation President Richard T. Anderson delivered a commencement address to the graduating seniors of the Alfred E. Smith Career and Technical Education High School just prior to awarding a $5,000 college scholarship from the Building Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Building Congress.

The Building Foundation awarded the scholarship to Jose Martinez, who is attending the State University of New York at Delhi and will major in carpentry.

The scholarship to Mr. Martinez is part of about $30,000 in educational support provided in
2007 by the Building Foundation. Scholarships in the amount of $5,000 each also were awarded through the ACE Mentor Program and the Urban Assembly School of Design and Construction.

Another $15,000 in financial assistance has been awarded this year to Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW), the Salvadori Center and other industry organizations that sponsor educational programs. Through a New York Building Foundation Career Advancement Fund, NEW will help further the advancement of its graduates by providing training opportunities and funding resources for women-owned small businesses. The Salvadori funding is helping to sponsor the Center’s annual Charette, where 100 children come together for a design challenge while being mentored by architects, engineers and construction professionals.

In addition, the Building Foundation has donated $35,000 to the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation this year, bringing the total contribution from it and the Building Congress to $100,000.

Part of the funding for these initiatives is raised through the annual Building Foundation Theatre Benefit, held in December. This year’s Benefit performance of Legally Blonde,
was preceded by a salute to Peter M. Lehrer, Chairman of Lehrer, LLC, for his pro bono
contributions to New York City agencies and the building industry and remarks by departing
Deputy Mayor Daniel L. Doctoroff.

In addition to co-sponsoring Construction Outlook, the Building Foundation is also continuing its research efforts by examining non-residential construction costs and ways to improve the look and feel of active construction sites, such as by improving sidewalk sheds.