Deadline: 01-May-2026
The Education Opportunity Fund provides grants ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 per year to nonprofit organizations supporting K–12 STEM education. The program focuses on expanding access, strengthening STEM skills, and improving educators and learning systems through sustainable initiatives. Priority is given to programs demonstrating measurable impact, partnerships, innovation, and long-term scalability.
The Education Opportunity Fund offers catalytic funding to expand equitable access to STEM education and strengthen learning systems for K–12 students, particularly in under-resourced communities. The fund prioritizes initiatives that remove barriers, develop skills, and enhance educator capacity, ensuring students gain the competencies needed for future STEM careers.
Objectives of the Fund
The program aims to:
- Expand access to STEM programs and technology for under-resourced students.
- Strengthen student preparedness and skill development, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and foundational STEM competencies.
- Enhance STEM educators and systems through curriculum improvements, educator training, and partnerships connecting schools with industry.
- Promote equitable, sustainable, and scalable programs that deliver measurable educational outcomes.
Funding Details
- Grant Amounts: $50,000 – $250,000 per year
- Duration: 1–3 years
- Eligible Costs: Program implementation, technology, curriculum development, educator training, partnership activities, and necessary administrative costs
- Exclusions: Individuals, fundraising events, endowments, general operating costs, infrastructure or capital projects, political/lobbying activities, debt repayment, student-specific financial aid (scholarships, tuition), and one-time professional development events unless part of ongoing training
Who Can Apply
Eligible applicants must:
- Be a nonprofit organization with recognized public charity status or an international equivalent
- Be fiscally sponsored by such an entity, if applicable
- Maintain an active profile on the Benevity platform
- Demonstrate existing partnerships with K–12 schools
- Show that programs directly benefit under-resourced students in KLA operational communities
- Submit applications in English
- Wait one full grant cycle after receiving a previous Education Opportunity Fund grant before reapplying
Priority Areas
The fund prioritizes initiatives that:
- Present clear, strategic approaches to expanding STEM education access
- Demonstrate measurable impact with monitoring and evaluation mechanisms
- Build or strengthen school-industry partnerships
- Encourage innovation and novel approaches in STEM education
- Show potential for long-term sustainability and scalability
- Contribute to improved educational outcomes within formal school systems
How to Apply
- Confirm Eligibility: Verify nonprofit status and existing K–12 partnerships.
- Develop Proposal: Include objectives, implementation strategy, anticipated outcomes, and evaluation plan.
- Prepare Budget: Outline program costs, including administrative expenses tied to project delivery.
- Submit Application: Apply through the official platform in English, ensuring all supporting documents are included.
- Review Process: Applications are evaluated based on impact, innovation, scalability, and alignment with fund priorities.
Tips for Applicants
- Clearly define how your program improves STEM access and outcomes.
- Include metrics for monitoring and evaluating impact.
- Demonstrate existing partnerships with schools and communities.
- Emphasize innovation and potential for long-term sustainability.
- Ensure budget is realistic and tied to program objectives.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying as an individual or non-eligible entity
- Requesting funding for scholarships, capital projects, or infrastructure
- Proposing one-time professional development events without a sustained program plan
- Failing to demonstrate measurable outcomes or monitoring strategies
- Ignoring the priority on under-resourced K–12 students
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is eligible for the Education Opportunity Fund?
Nonprofit organizations or fiscally sponsored entities with active Benevity profiles and existing K–12 partnerships. - What is the funding range and duration?
$50,000 to $250,000 per year for one to three years. - Which activities are supported?
Programs expanding STEM access, strengthening skills, improving educators and systems, and promoting sustainable, scalable initiatives. - Are individuals or scholarships eligible?
No, the fund does not support individuals, student scholarships, or tuition. - Can one-time professional development events receive funding?
Only if they are part of an ongoing, sustained training program tied to practical application. - Is a previous grant a barrier to applying?
Applicants must wait one full grant cycle after completing a prior Education Opportunity Fund grant before reapplying.
Why This Fund Matters
- Expands equitable access to high-quality STEM education for under-resourced students.
- Strengthens STEM skills and readiness for future careers.
- Supports educators, curricula, and school-industry partnerships.
- Promotes sustainable, innovative, and scalable STEM programs that can deliver long-term impact.
Conclusion
The Education Opportunity Fund provides a strategic platform for nonprofits to catalyze equitable STEM education initiatives, fostering student preparedness, educator capacity, and sustainable school programs. By funding high-impact, scalable projects, the program ensures that under-resourced K–12 students gain the skills and opportunities necessary to thrive in STEM fields.
For more information, visit KLA Foundation.
