FUNDRAISING RESOURCES

How to fundraise for STEM Education Programs?

The guide offers in-depth exploration of grants, corporate sponsors, and innovative fundraising ideas tailored for STEM education programs. Expertise from seasoned professionals ensures valuable insights.

Top 5 grants for STEM Education Programs nonprofits in 2025

Unlock funding for your nonprofit with grants designed for STEM Education Programs. Explore government, foundation, and corporate grants to expand your impact.

STEM Education and Diversity & Inclusion Matching Grant

Linde Global Giving Program

Up to $15,000

Private

Matching grants for STEM education and diversity/inclusion programs. Open to 501(c)(3) organizations. Rolling applications accepted.

Apply

Captain Planet Foundation ecoTech Grant

Captain Planet Foundation

Up to $2,500

Foundation

Grants for innovative STEM-based environmental projects. Open to schools and nonprofits. Application window typically March 15 - May 15 annually.

Apply

STEM Action Grant

Society for Science

Up to $5,000

Foundation

Grants for innovative organizations supporting STEM education and underrepresented groups in STEM. Application window typically March-May annually.

Apply

NSF Improving Undergraduate STEM Education Program

National Science Foundation

Varies, up to $3,000,000

Government

Grants to support systemic change in STEM higher education. Multiple tracks with varying deadlines, typically including March-May submissions.

Apply

AIAA Foundation Classroom Grant

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Foundation

$250

Foundation

Grants for K-12 teachers to incorporate aviation and aerospace themes into their classrooms. Application deadline typically in May annually.

Apply

Top 5 companies donating to STEM Education Programs nonprofits in 2025

Partner with businesses that share your mission! Corporate sponsorships can provide funding, in-kind donations, and visibility to help your nonprofit expand and sustain STEM Education Programs efforts.

Education
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Top 5 best fundraising platforms for STEM Education Programs

PayPal Logo
DonorBox Logo
Transaction fees
0%
  • Stripe: 2.2% + $0.30 per transaction
  • PayPal: 1.99% + $0.49 per transaction
  • ACH/Bank transfer: 0.8% ($5 maximum)

2.9% + $0.30 per transaction

2.2% + $0.30 per transaction; 0.8% for ACH payments*

2.9% + $0.30 per donation

Platform fees
$0
1.75% platform fees. 2.95% platform fees for event ticketing, membership payments and P2P campaigns. Reduced fees for pro and premium plans.
5% of funds raised
1% to 4%, depending on feature usage
No platform fees. Similar to Zeffy, GoFundMe relies on voluntary “tips” from donors to cover platform fees for nonprofits.
Monthly fees
$0 / month
Donorbox offers 3 subscription plan: Standard $0/month | Pro $139/month | Premium custom pricing
No monthly fees
Starting at $299/month*
No monthly fees
Value for money
Capterra ratings
4.9 / 5
4.7/5
N/A
3.9/5
4.1/5
Ease-of-use
Capterra ratings
4.8 / 5
4.7/5
N/A
4.3/5
4.2/5
Quality of support
4.9 / 5
4.8/5
N/A
4.3/5
3.9/5

The only 100% free
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10 Best fundraising ideas for STEM Education Programs in 2025

Innovative fundraising fuels your mission. From peer-to-peer campaigns to community events, explore creative ways to raise funds and ensure long-term success for your STEM Education Programs.

1

STEM-a-thon Coding Challenge

Organize a 24-hour virtual coding marathon where participants raise funds through sponsorships. Teams compete to develop innovative STEM-related apps or solutions, with prizes for top fundraisers and best projects.

2

Robotics Workshop Series

Host a series of hands-on robotics workshops for students, charging a fee for participation. Culminate in a robotics competition showcase where spectators pay to attend and local tech companies sponsor teams.

3

STEM Subscription Box

Create and sell monthly STEM-themed subscription boxes containing experiments, coding challenges, and educational materials. Partner with science supply companies for discounted materials.

4

Corporate STEM Mentorship Program

Develop a structured mentorship program where corporate partners sponsor employees to mentor students in STEM fields. Companies pay a fee for participation, covering program costs and generating funds.

5

Community Science Fair Extravaganza

Organize a large-scale community science fair featuring student projects, interactive exhibits from local STEM companies, and hands-on workshops. Generate revenue through entry fees, sponsorships, and concessions.

6

Virtual STEM Escape Room

Create an online STEM-themed escape room experience where participants solve puzzles and challenges to 'escape'. Charge for individual or team entries, with options for corporate team-building packages.

7

STEM Innovators Gala

Host an elegant fundraising gala showcasing breakthrough STEM projects and honoring local STEM leaders. Include a silent auction of unique STEM experiences and items donated by tech companies.

8

STEM Education Crowdfunding Challenge

Launch a time-limited crowdfunding campaign with specific STEM education project goals. Utilize gamification elements, progress trackers, and match funding from corporate partners to drive engagement.

9

STEM Career Exploration App

Develop and sell a mobile app that gamifies STEM career exploration for students. Include virtual job shadowing, skill-building mini-games, and personalized career path recommendations.

10

STEM Summer Camp Scholarship Auction

Partner with prestigious STEM summer camps to auction off scholarships. Host an online auction where individuals and companies can bid to sponsor students' attendance at these camps.

Frequently Asked Questions

<div ms-code-snippet-q="1">What are effective fundraising strategies for STEM education nonprofits in 2025?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="1">Effective fundraising strategies for STEM education nonprofits in 2025 include leveraging AI-powered personalization, implementing small-scale sponsorship programs, and utilizing VR/AR storytelling. AI personalization allows for targeted outreach and predictive giving, increasing donor engagement. Small-scale sponsorships, or micro-donations, can have a big impact when aggregated. VR/AR storytelling creates immersive experiences that drive emotional connections and boost donations. Additionally, consider tapping into crypto donations to access younger, wealthier donors, and focus on local-centric campaigns to empower communities. Remember, monthly giving programs have a 90% retention rate, so prioritize building lasting donor relationships. Combine these strategies with digital marketing tactics like optimized websites, email campaigns, and social media outreach to maximize your fundraising potential.</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="2">How can STEM nonprofits use digital marketing to increase donations?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="2">STEM nonprofits can significantly increase donations through strategic digital marketing. Start by optimizing your website for mobile users and search engines (SEO) to improve visibility. Leverage Google Ad Grants, which offers $10,000 in monthly ad credits, to create targeted search ads promoting your cause. Implement email marketing campaigns, which generate about 28% of all online nonprofit revenue. Use segmentation to personalize messages and promote relevant opportunities to each supporter group. Engage in social media storytelling on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, utilizing their unique fundraising features. Consider SMS marketing for direct, concise updates with its impressive 98% open rate. Lastly, explore AI-powered tools for hyper-personalized communication and donor behavior analysis. Remember to maintain a consistent brand message across all channels and focus on building lasting connections with supporters.</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="3">What are the top STEM education nonprofits to support in 2025?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="3">In 2025, several STEM education nonprofits stand out for their impactful work. The MIND Research Institute is renowned for its ST Math Program, providing equitable access to visual learning in mathematics. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) reaches millions of students globally through robotics competitions and hands-on learning experiences. The Scratch Foundation supports free coding platforms for children, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills. High Tech High Heels focuses on keeping more girls in STEM, awarding grants to improve educator training and providing engaging experiences for school-aged girls. Additionally, organizations like Girls Who Code and Code.org continue to make significant strides in promoting diversity in tech education. When choosing a nonprofit to support, consider their transparency ratings, impact metrics, and alignment with your specific STEM education goals.</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="4">How can STEM nonprofits create successful year-round peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="4">To create successful year-round peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns, STEM nonprofits should focus on empowering supporters to become active fundraisers. Start by implementing user-friendly fundraising software that allows supporters to easily create personalized fundraising pages. Provide compelling storytelling materials and impact metrics that fundraisers can share with their networks. Develop a robust communication plan to keep fundraisers engaged and motivated throughout the year, including regular updates, challenges, and recognition programs. Leverage social media integration to amplify reach and make sharing effortless. Consider creating themed mini-campaigns aligned with STEM events or milestones to maintain momentum. Offer virtual and in-person fundraising options to accommodate diverse preferences. Lastly, use data analytics to track performance, identify top fundraisers, and refine strategies. Remember, the key to year-round success is continuous engagement and making the process rewarding for your fundraisers.</div><div ms-code-snippet-q="5">What are innovative ways for STEM nonprofits to engage corporate partners in 2025?</div><div ms-code-snippet-a="5">In 2025, STEM nonprofits can engage corporate partners through innovative approaches that align with evolving business priorities. Develop AI-powered matching programs that connect corporate volunteers with specific STEM projects based on skills and interests. Create virtual reality (VR) experiences showcasing your nonprofit's impact, allowing corporate employees to immerse themselves in your work. Offer 'skills-based volunteering' opportunities where employees can contribute their professional expertise to your STEM initiatives. Implement blockchain-based donation tracking systems to provide transparent impact reporting to corporate donors. Design collaborative STEM challenges that engage both corporate employees and your beneficiaries, fostering innovation and mentorship. Consider offering 'STEM education as a benefit' programs for partner companies, where you provide educational resources for employees' children. Lastly, create customized sponsorship packages that include naming rights for innovative STEM programs or facilities, providing tangible recognition for corporate support.</div>