In an effort to ensure underrepresented communities are not left behind in the technological era, The San Diego Foundation recently awarded $750,000 in grants to 13 organizations to support STEM-related activities. | Stock photo
In an effort to ensure underrepresented communities are not left behind in the technological era, The San Diego Foundation recently awarded $750,000 in grants to 13 organizations to support STEM-related activities. | Stock photo
Thirteen grants from the San Diego Foundation totaling $750,000 are expected to help various nonprofits in their efforts to create increased opportunities for students, with an emphasis on those from underrepresented communities.
The grants are meant to encourage students who are pursuing degrees and careers in the science technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, according to a press release on the foundation’s website.
“We envision a San Diego where all young adults, regardless of their background, have the resources and opportunities to become the leading scientists and innovators of tomorrow,” Katie Rast, director of Community Impact at The San Diego Foundation, said in the release. “By increasing access to STEM education and internship opportunities for those most underrepresented in the field, the San Diego Foundation aims to create an equitable approach that will expand pathways to success for all San Diegans.”
While San Diego and the region have seen increases in STEM career opportunities in recent years, some sections of the community are getting left behind, according to the release. With this round of grants, the foundation hopes to begin to offset some of that.
Beneficiaries of the grants include the San Diego State University Research Foundation, CREATE at the University of California San Diego, PATHS at the University of California San Diego, the Miramar College Foundation, California State University San Marcos, Office of Undergraduate Research, University of San Diego, Access, Inc. – a program intended to support youth who have experienced trauma – the Palomar College Foundation, Interfaith Community Services’ Transitional Youth Academy 2021 STEM Summer Internship Program, the Zoological Society of San Diego’s Global Internships in Conservation Technology program, the San Diego Natural History Museum’s STEM internships, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies Heithoff-Brody High School Summer Scholars program, as well as the Elementary Institute of Science, according to the release.
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