STEM Education Grants

Note: While we’re open to new ideas and projects, funding for unsolicited requests is very limited.

Education - Advancing Afterschool

We work to increase access to quality educational opportunities for all children — particularly those from low-income families and underserved communities.

Preparing a child for the future doesn’t end when the school bell rings.

How it Works

The hours before and after school — and during the summer months — provide opportunities for children and youth to engage in learning, and the space for the kinds of activities that encourage curiosity, creativity and confidence.

Students who attend afterschool and summer programs are better prepared for work and life. They attend school more, make gains in reading and math, improve their grades and have higher graduation rates. And they develop positive social skills and improve their behavior during the school day.

Our interest in afterschool and summer learning programs spans 85 years of support, from the early development of community schools through our partnership with the U.S. Department of Education’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers program. Now serving more than 1.7 million children and youth at 11,000 sites across the country, these local programs provide a wealth of practical information and data on the impact of and need for afterschool and summer learning opportunities.

Mott is dedicated to making afterschool and summer learning programs available for every child and family who needs them. Through our support of afterschool networks in all 50 states, as well as key national education organizations, our grantmaking helps to inform policies, develop partnerships and shape practices that will sustain and increase the quality of local programs across the U.S.

Currently, our grantmaking focuses on three areas:

Building an Afterschool Infrastructure

Our grants support a national infrastructure of organizations dedicated to increasing the quality of afterschool programs for children, youth and families.

We make grants to:

• organizations helping to strengthen the capacity of 50 statewide afterschool networks through technical assistance that will improve program quality and data collection practices; and
• nonprofit groups supporting the sharing of best practices, research and communication strategies throughout the network.

Fostering Afterschool Policy

Our funding supports efforts to inform the development of effective policies and partnerships to increase quality afterschool programs for children, youth and families.

We make grants to:

• national nonprofit groups that work to inform state, federal and local policies to increase access to quality afterschool and summer learning programs; and
• organizations that support strategic communications aimed at improving access to quality afterschool and summer learning programs at the local, state and national levels

Improving Afterschool Quality & Innovation

Our grantmaking advances research and exemplary models that increase student engagement in learning and prepare students for college and career. We make grants to:

• organizations conducting research to identify the impact of quality afterschool programs on children, youth and families;
• national nonprofit groups with expertise in research-based practices that include: digital media and learning; science, technology, engineering and math (STEM); music and the arts; and service learning; and
• organizations supporting initiatives to test and expand research-based models/approaches in education and afterschool.

Global Impact Cash Grants

Cisco welcomes applications for Global Impact Cash Grants from community partners around the world who share our vision and offer an innovative approach to a critical social challenge.

We identify, incubate, and develop innovative solutions with the most impact. Global Impact Cash Grants go to nonprofits and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that address a significant social problem. We’re looking for programs that fit within our investment areas, serve the underserved, and leverage technology to improve the reach and efficiency of services. We accept applications year-round from eligible organizations. An initial information form is used to determine whether your organization will be invited to complete a full application.

Social Investment Areas

At Cisco, we make social investments in three areas where we believe our technology and our people can make the biggest impact—education, economic empowerment, and crisis response, the last of which incorporates shelter, water, food, and disaster relief. Together, these investment areas help people overcome barriers of poverty and inequality, and make a lasting difference by fostering strong global communities.

Education Investments

Our strategy is to inclusively invest in technology-based solutions that increase equitable access to education while improving student performance, engagement, and career exploration. We support K-12 solutions that emphasize science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) as well as literacy. We also consider programs that teach environmental sustainability, eliminate barriers to accessing climate change education, and invite student engagement globally to positively affect the environment.

What we look for:

• Innovative early grade solutions using the internet and technology to bridge the barriers preventing access to education for underserved students globally.
• Solutions that positively affect student attendance, attitudes, and behavior while inspiring action by students to improve learning outcomes, whether they participate in person, online, or in blended learning environments. 
• Solutions with high potential to replicate and scale globally, thereby increasing the availability of evidence-based solutions that support student-centricity, teacher capacity in the classroom, and increased parental participation to help students learn and develop.

Note: Cisco does not provide direct funding to schools.

Economic Empowerment

Our strategy is to invest in early stage, tech-enabled solutions that provide equitable access to the knowledge, skills, and resources that people need to support themselves and their families toward resilience, independence, and economic security.

Our goal is to support solutions that benefit individuals and families, and that contribute to local community growth and economic development in a sustainable economy.

We target our support in three interconnected areas:

• Skills development to help job seekers secure dignified employment and long-term career pathways in technology or other sectors, including environmental sustainability/green jobs.
• Inclusive entrepreneurship with small businesses as engines of local growth as well as high growth potential start-ups as large-scale job creators nationally and internationally, in technology or other sectors, including environment sustainability/green businesses.
• Banking the unbanked through relevant and affordable financial products and capacity building services.

Cisco Crisis Response

We seek to help overcome the cycle of poverty and dependence and achieve a more sustainable future through strategic investments. We back organizations that successfully address critical needs of underserved communities, because those who have their basic needs met are better equipped to learn and thrive.

What we look for:

• Innovative solutions that increase the capacity of grantees to deliver their products and services more effectively and efficiently
• Design and implementation of web-based tools that increase the availability of, or improve access to, products and services that are necessary for people to survive and thrive
• Programs that increase access to clean water, food, shelter, or disaster relief and promote a more sustainable future for all
  • By policy, relief campaigns respond to significant natural disaster and humanitarian crises as opposed to those caused by human conflict. Also by policy, our investments in this area do not include healthcare solutions.

Charitable grants

At GSK, we are guided by our mission of helping people do more, feel better, and live longer. To achieve this mission, we must go beyond discovering, developing, and delivering new medicines, vaccines, and healthcare products. That’s why we are committed to supporting nonprofits in the communities where we live and work.

Our charitable partnerships in the US support programs for children and youth focused on nutrition and physical activity, STEM education, and disaster preparedness and response

Programmatic focus areas

GSK U.S. Community Partnerships Charitable Grants must address one of our three specific focus areas in order to be considered for funding:

• Nutrition & Physical Activity - helping children and youth achieve or maintain a healthy weight
• STEM Education - inspiring children and youth to build the future STEM workforce
• Disaster Preparedness & Response - increasing the safety and resilience of children and youth in the face of disaster

NOTE: The Intel Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals or requests. However, organizations based in the United States may share information about programs that align with the Foundation's strategic focus areas.

Our Priorities

Promoting Stem Education

We believe in the power of knowledge and technology to transform lives and enable people to solve problems with purpose.

Opportunity for All

A strong foundation in math, technology, science, and computer engineering can empower young people with skills and confidence to launch a life of learning, career success, and contributions to society. We are targeting our work on STEM education to advance gender and racial equity, with a commitment to expand technology access to fuel human potential in every community.

Intel® She Will Connect

The Intel® She Will Connect initiative connects middle school girls to hands-on technology experiences that inspire them to become innovators and encourage their interests in technology, engineering, and computer science. Through new partnerships and collaborations, we are expanding the program across the U.S. and into other countries.

WiSci STEAM Camps

Women in Science (WiSci) Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) camps—developed through a partnership between Intel, the U.S. Department of State, and the United Nations Girl Up campaign—aim to bridge inequity gaps in technology. The Intel Foundation supports the camps, where Intel volunteers use Intel Future Skills curriculum and enable girls around the world to experience robotics, drones, coding, AI, leadership training, mentorship, and friendship.

Responding to Humanitarian Crises and Natural Disasters

We form strong partnerships and take collective action to support social justice, respond to humanitarian crises, and provide disaster relief.

Making It Count

We match employees’ donations to support communities when crises occur, and provide options for employees to make their donations count where and when they are needed most. Our goal is to achieve specific outcomes and long-term impact. 

Battling COVID-19

The Intel Foundation donated $4 million toward COVID-19 relief programs focused on education, health, community development, and economic support. In addition, the Foundation matched $2 million donated by Intel employees, who also generously contributed their time and energy to serve communities throughout the pandemic.

Taking A Stand For Racial Justice

To help address social injustice and promote anti-racism, the Intel Foundation initiated “Standing on the Sidelines Is Not an Option,” a $500,000 employee donation match campaign supporting the National Urban League, the Center for Policing Equity, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and Amnesty International.

Rebuilding After Disasters

Through spotlight donation campaigns, the Foundation provides relief and matches employee contributions to help rebuild communities hit by floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, or other natural disasters. In 2020, for example, employees and the Foundation provided an outpouring of support for communities hit by wildfires across the Western U.S.

Amplifying Employee Generosity

The Intel Foundation amplifies the impact of employees’ contributions to communities around the world.

Uplifting Communities

Our employees generously donate their skills, technology expertise, funds, and millions of hours of service to tackle environmental challenges, improve education, and help uplift people. Through grants and matching programs, the Intel Foundation ignites and fosters employees’ passion for philanthropy and desire to help solve global challenges.

Donation Matching

The Foundation matches charitable donations of US Intel employees and retirees to eligible nonprofit organizations or schools, up to $10,000 annually per employee. This program helps communities rise while increasing employees’ ability to support the causes they care about most.  

Volunteer Matching

We extend the impact of volunteerism by donating $10 per volunteer hour to qualified nonprofits and schools where Intel employees and retirees donate at least 20 hours of service in a year. This program helps to recognize employees and give them an opportunity to earn money for organizations that are meaningful to them.

Seed Grants

The Intel Foundation awards seed grants of up to $5,000 to support employee-initiated community service projects. Projects are selected based on their originality, potential impact, and expected outcomes.

Volunteer Heroes

Each year, 10 Intel super volunteers each receive a $2,500 grant for the charitable organization or school of their choice. One overall winner, chosen from among these 10 finalists, receives an additional $7,500 grant for his or her designated organization.

Note: The Foundation is not currently accepting unsolicited proposals. Written inquiries regarding matching grants and partnerships in our stated areas of interest are welcome. 

Values and Strategy

Our funding and partnering approach focuses on meeting short-term critical needs and addressing underlying system-wide challenges. In both cases The Marcus Foundation seeks partners and grantees – organizations and foundations – that are looking for opportunities to explore new ventures, and bringing creative thinking to their work. Specifically, we work with organizations committed to developing innovative approaches to sustainability and community food resources. Our values include:

• Change and Support: We value efforts that further systemic change and those that provide immediate responses to critical needs in our communities
• Communication and Collaboration: We believe in the effective and timely exchange of information and the usefulness of collaboration that is both efficient and creative
• Listening and Partnership: We value the sharing of ideas, resources and initiatives, and we seek partnerships that leverage the assets and skills of all participants

Our focus on hunger stems from the fundamental reality that hungry people aren’t able to focus on anything else until this basic human need is satisfied. Unmet, this need undermines our communities and deprives our children of the ability to learn while at school. It forces our older citizens to choose between heat, medicine and food. This was clearly articulated in the 19th century by Ballington Booth, the founder of Volunteers of America in his statement: “You cannot talk to a man about God (or we believe, anything else) when he is hungry..." In 1943 Abraham Maslow captured this truth as part of the “Hierarchy of Needs” asserting that the basic needs of food and shelter must be met before humans can move towards the higher goals of education, family, employment and “self-actualization."

Our emphasis on sustainability is rooted in the awareness that we are all stewards of a world that will soon be passed on to the next generation, as a prior generation passed on to us our world. While the definition of sustainability has evolved over the decades since being introduced in 1987, by the UN World Commission on Environment and Development in the Bruntland Report, at its core it remains a principle of intergenerational equity. Sustainability is the imperative that we consider long-term consequences of our actions and behavior. Distilled to its essence, sustainability requires us to “meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Strategically, we believe immediate and critical needs must be addressed, while also working to change the fundamental incentives and dynamics that cause these problems. Whether in business practices, environmental advocacy, or agricultural methods, sustainability is a prism that can generate new perspectives. It can be and must be the driving force that challenges us to live responsibly.

Partnerships

The Marcus Foundation funds primarily in two areas:

• Assisting organizations that work to increase awareness of hunger as a critical problem and/or deliver food resources to meet critical short-term needs; and
• Supporting efforts to change underlying structural obstacles and incentives that hinder efforts to bring sustainable practices into the mainstream.

Strategically, the Foundation now serves not only as a financial supporter of organizations, but also as a partner in order to enhance impact and reduce fundraising and operating expenses.

• We collaborate with other funding organizations to multiply the resources available to grantees.
• The Foundation serves as a broker between organizations and qualified vendors when this can advance the mission of grantees.
• We offer the experience of Foundation officers on short-term assignments to tackle specific problems or seize timely opportunities when a grantee needs immediate help and we have the internal capacity to respond.

NOTE: Northrop Grumman does not accept unsolicited requests for funding. If your requests meets the criteria outlined and you wish to discuss the possibility of funding for a grant in one of our communities, please contact a member of our Corporate Citizenship Team. An invitation letter is required in order to submit a request for funding. 

Northrop Grumman seeks to support and strengthen the communities where our employees work and live. In addition to in-kind and volunteer resources, Northrop Grumman grants help make the lives of the people in our communities better, safer, successful and more resilient. Our Charitable Contributions program provides funding to state / government – accredited schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations which provide programming or services addressing STEM education, particularly engineering and technology programs, veterans and the military, health and human services, and the environment. In addition, grant requests are reviewed to ensure they are in line with community goals and our strategic priorities which include education, employee engagement and strengthening the community.

AstraZeneca hosts an annual open call for applications to support eligible 501(c) nonprofit organizations across the US for local and regional community-based programs. In 2022, the ACT on Health Equity: Community Solutions Challenge will provide up to $1 million in funding. Organizations may apply for up to $25,000 for each eligible program.

AstraZeneca recognizes health starts in our homes, schools and communities. The ACT on Health Equity: Community Solutions Challenge supports community-based, nonprofit organizations that are advancing health equity among underserved US communities through innovative health, wellbeing, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs at the local and regional level.

Applications must meet the following general criteria:

Program Focus: Community-based programs to improve conditions that affect health and wellbeing (ex: housing, environmental and neighborhood safety, nutrition, access to care, and/or access to education and career readiness in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math).

Communities Served: Programs that directly benefit underserved populations and prioritize their social, cultural, and linguistic needs.

Program Footprint: Nonprofit organizations across the US are invited to apply for programs benefiting one or more local communities. While not a requirement, special consideration will be provided to programs that reach AstraZeneca footprint geographies (e.g., Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, North Carolina, Texas and California).

Overview

More than $41 million have been awarded to organizations serving over 118 million people in every state in the U.S.

American Honda Foundation (AHF) was established by American Honda Motor Co., Inc., to commemorate its 25th anniversary in the United States and to show its appreciation of America's support through the years. It is the aim at Honda that in every community in which it does business society will want Honda to exist.

Mission Statement

Help meet the needs of American society in the areas of youth and scientific education by awarding grants to nonprofits, while strategically assisting communities in deriving long-term benefits.

Guidelines

The American Honda Foundation engages in grant making that reflects the basic tenets, beliefs and philosophies of Honda companies, which are characterized by the following qualities: imaginative, creative, youthful, forward-thinking, scientific, humanistic and innovative. We support youth education with a specific focus on the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects in addition to the environment. 

Geographic Scope

National

Funding Priority

Youth education, specifically in the areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, the environment, job training and literacy.

NOTE: The cycle for U.S. applications is closed. Organizations outside of the U.S. may still submit applications.

The Akamai Foundation

The Akamai Foundation is dedicated to encouraging the next generation of technology innovators by supporting STEM education, with a focus on the pursuit of excellence in mathematics in grades K-12. Grants focus on equal access to quality STEM education with grants supporting programs designed to attract more diversity to the technology industry. In addition, the Akamai Foundation provides disaster resilience, relief and humanitarian aid globally; and enables volunteerism by connecting employees to the communities in which Akamai operates.

Vision and Mission

Excellence in mathematics and innovation has always been and continues to be at the heart of Akamai’s mission. The Akamai Foundation promotes mathematics education and excellence among the next generation of technology innovators.

Through the Foundation and the programs that we partner with, we believe we will be able to help teach kids that math can be magical and fun. We hope our efforts will inspire young people to embrace math — and prepare for success in college and in their professional lives.

The Akamai Foundation is fueled by our belief in the wonderful possibilities for the future and grounded in the knowledge that our resources will be put to careful and thoughtful use.

Global STEM Education Grant

The Akamai Foundation is pleased to launch the Global STEM Education grant program. In addition to our core focus on STEM learning, we aim to help global education programs navigate the pandemic's economic impact and address digital inclusion gaps for young learners (pre-college students ages 5-19).

All applicants are required to provide a comprehensive plan outlining their STEM education program goals. This should include a digital inclusion strategy to address and eliminate barriers to access and use of technology in learning, especially for the most disadvantaged. Digital inclusion strategy examples include but are not limited to:

• Internet-enabled Device Access
• Digital Safety, Security & Citizenship Training (Digital Literacy training)
• Quality Technical Support
• Partnership with digital inclusion practitioners and advocates
• Digital content designed to encourage independent learning, participation, and collaboration
• Mental health support for online learners
• Development and implementation of new digital equity and inclusion strategies