OVERVIEW: The main focus of Intel’s corporate philanthropy is STEM education, but the foundation also supports disaster relief and organizations where its employees volunteer.
IP TAKE: Like so many corporate foundations, Intel conducts most of its philanthropy through ongoing partnerships with large national organizations. In Intel’s case, this consists mainly of technology education nonprofits with broad reach.
As a large corporate funder, it is not an easy prospect for nonprofits seeking a conventional institutional grant. The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, and its recent direct strategic grants have primarily supported established STEM education organizations with broad reach. Organizations working in semiconductor education, advanced manufacturing, workforce pathways and experiential STEM learning appear particularly well aligned with current priorities.
A separate and potentially more accessible route is Intel’s employee giving and volunteering ecosystem. The foundation matches eligible employee and retiree donations and employee volunteer service to schools and nonprofits, and these programs account for most of its recent grantmaking by dollar volume. Nonprofits should make sure they are eligible and visible through Benevity and cultivate authentic connections with Intel employees, especially in communities where the company has a significant presence. Intel also permits organizations to email introductory information to the foundation even though it does not accept unsolicited funding proposals.
PROFILE: Founded in 1988, the Intel Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the software and technology company Intel. Inspired by Intel cofounder Robert Noyce’s pronouncement “don’t be encumbered by history, go off and do something wonderful,” the Intel Foundation envisions a future “where technology expands what’s possible for every person and every community.” Its grantmaking and engagements support STEM education at the K-12 and higher education levels. It also gives for disaster recovery and supports organizations where its employees maintain involvement. Note that Intel’s philanthropic giving is separate from that of the company’s founders, Gordon Moore and Robert Noyce.
Grants for STEM, K-12 and Higher Education
STEM education is one of the foundation’s largest giving areas and focuses on providing educators and educational settings with technology that inspires student to “think bigger.”
- Grantmaking for both K-12 and higher education focuses on “STEM experiences to help ensure the future is filled with innovators from every community.”
- The foundation awarded $3 million to Project Lead the Way for high school programs that offer learning experiences related to “semiconductor semiconductor science and advanced manufacturing education nationwide.”
- Intel’s grant to Scholarship America administers the Andy Grove Scholarship for Intel employees’ children.
- Other grantees include Geeks Without Frontiers, the STEM Next Opportunity Fund and Portland State University.
Grants Disaster Relief and Recovery
The Intel Foundation’s community grantmaking focus area “help[s] communities stay strong before, during, and after a crisis.”
- Most of the foundation’s giving in this area appears to be conducted via the American Online Giving Foundation and the U.K. Online Giving Foundation.
- Past grantees include Bal Raksha Bahrat, which received funding for its work helping families rebuild their homes and restore their livelihoods after widespread flooding in India; and CARE USA, which received support for its global humanitarian work.
Other Grantmaking Opportunities
The Intel Foundation expresses enthusiasm for the causes and organizations to which its employees “give their time or resources.”
- In 2025, Intel Ireland was recognized as having the highest volunteer rate of all Intel sites worldwide. Recipient organizations included community organizations, schools and human services providers.
- Each year, the foundation also recognizes an individual employee for outstanding volunteer service with the Gordon Moore Hero Award. An organization where the recipient volunteers typically receives a grant in the tens of thousands.
Important Grant Details:
The Intel Foundation gave away over $25 million in a recent year. Most of this is conducted via the American and U.K. Online Giving Foundation platforms, somewhat obscuring the amounts and destinations of its grants.
- Beyond the online giving platforms, tax filings indicate ongoing support for large STEM education organizations that work nationally and/or globally to expand technology access and education.
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited funding proposals or requests.
- Contact the foundation at intel.foundation@intel.com or at (503) 696-8080.
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