STEM Education

The funding of STEM education — an acronym for science, technology, engineering and math — continues to be a favorite of corporate funders and megadonors, and a priority of the federal government. Still, students in the United States lag behind other industrialized nations in math and science, and there are not enough people trained to fill all the STEM jobs in the country, although these tend to be good, well-paying jobs. While many major funders work in this space, there are good opportunities for smaller donors to support the field, such as backing initiatives to improve curriculum, educate STEM teachers, ensure high-quality STEM education for all students and diversify STEM. This guide offers advice about how donors can make a difference in this area. It highlights leading philanthropic strategies and offers guidance for donors new to this space to get started with their giving.

Strategies for Impact

Nonprofits are engaged in a range of efforts related to STEM Education. Below, we discuss areas where donors might focus their funding and spotlight organizations that represent the kind of nonprofits that donors might consider supporting.

Focus on kids. To make the greatest impact, it pays to invest in K-12 STEM education. If children lose interest in STEM subjects when they are young, they are unlikely to embrace STEM later in life. Donors can support nonprofit programs that reach elementary, middle-school and high-school kids such as Khan Academy, which offers free online math and science courses; FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), which engages young people through an annual robotics competition; or the Dallas-based National Science and Math Initiative, which works to ensure all students have access to high-quality STEM education.

Back initiatives to diversify STEM. Women, people of color and LGBTQ+ people are all underrepresented in STEM. Funders can make a difference by supporting nonprofits working to change this, such as Black Girls Do STEM, STEM for Her, Techbridge Girls, Girls Who Code, ChickTech, Latino Stem Alliance, Latinas in STEM and others.
Invest in educators. There is a shortage of well-trained STEM instructors, and STEM teachers need support and ongoing training. Donors interested in backing STEM teachers can give to nonprofits such as Math For America, which provides professional development to math and science teachers; the National Science and Math Initiative and OpenSciEd, which creates open-source educational curricula. Funders who want to support diversity, equity and inclusion among STEM educators can give to programs at HBCUs or back scholarships through the American Indian Education Fund, for example.
Think beyond the classroom. Education happens in many places beyond the classroom, including after-school programs, summer camps, museums, online and on TV. Funders can support nonprofit museums and community organizations offering STEM programs, or media nonprofits such as PBS/Learning Media, which provides materials, curriculum and documentaries on science and math subjects. New York City’s STEM From Dance brings STEM education to students through dance. Even the Girl Scouts offer STEM programming.

Insights and Advice

In considering which impact strategies to support, donors should take into account their personal interests and outlook to find the best fit. They should also keep an eye out for emerging opportunities to give with maximum impact to improve STEM education. Here, we offer a few insights and suggestions:

Don’t go it alone. Intermediaries and philanthropy-serving organizations can do a huge amount of the leg work of identifying opportunities in the field, and getting involved with one of these groups is a great way for donors to figure out their giving In this sector. Notable groups include Grantmakers for Education, Science Philanthropy Alliance and Million Girls Moonshot. You can also find helpful information from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Institute of Mathematics, National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Medicine, National Center for Science Education, American Association of Physics Teachers, STEM Education Coalition and other established organizations.

Find a focus. There are nonprofits working on every aspect of STEM education almost everywhere around the country, including schools, after-school programs, museums and more. Focusing on an area that matters to you can help you locate the right nonprofits for your contributions. What aspects of STEM education are you passionate about, or where do you have knowledge or a personal connection? These are often good places to start.
Give multi-year, general operating support. Multi-year, general operating support is considered a best practice in trust-based philanthropy because it gives organizations the sustained support they need to make long-term plans and the flexibility to use funds where they are needed most.

For Donors Getting Started

Donors who are new to this space should take the time to learn about the landscape. A good place to start is by reading IP’s State of American Philanthropy briefs on Giving for STEM Education, Giving for K-12 Education and Giving for Higher Education. In addition, peruse recent articles that IP has published about what’s happening in this area of philanthropy.

To find more nonprofits working on STEM education that are well respected, Charity Navigator is a reputable place to search for worthy organizations around the country.

But the best way to get started giving for STEM education is to make some initial gifts, get to know the work of the groups you’re supporting, and connect early with a funding intermediary that can help you learn more about this area and increase your giving in a thoughtful way.

Have suggestions for improving this brief? Please email us at editor@insidephilanthropy.com.