The Burns & McDonnell Foundation is teaming up with schools across the country to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders in the communities where our employee-owners live and work. We’re offering grants of up to $5,000 to enhance STEM learning in the classroom and school-based STEM programs. Supporting STEM is critical because it equips students with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

If you’re an educator with a passion for sparking innovation, apply now! The application deadline for the 2025-26 school year is April 11, 2025. Let’s build a brighter future together!

Grant requests will be evaluated by Burns & McDonnell employee-owners based on our program priorities:

  • Expands access to STEM learning
  • Benefits groups of students (e.g., extracurricular clubs/teams, classroom, grade, school)
  • Supports ongoing STEM project-based learning and design thinking throughout the year

All grantees will provide brief updates showing spending to date and share the impact of the grant in the academic year their grant is utilized. Grantees will also be encouraged to share the impact of the grant via social media.

Grant Types

  • STEM materials
  • STEM professional development

Eligibility

  • K-12 public, private, parochial, charter, independent school or homeschool consortium
    • Application must be submitted by a school staff member
  • Schools must be located within 75 miles of an eligible Burns & McDonnell community

Funding Timeline

  • Now through April 11: Application period
  • By May 9: Grant award notification; funds must be utilized within 12 months of the date of award
  • By Sept. 26: Grant agreement signed
  • Grants are remitted within three weeks of a signed grant agreement

Frequently Asked Questions

Grant Guidelines

What are the eligible communities?
Schools within 75 miles of the following communities are eligible to apply.

Alabama: Huntsville
Arizona: Phoenix, Tucson
Arkansas: Springdale
California: Brea, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Walnut Creek
Colorado: Denver
Connecticut: Wallingford
Florida: Melbourne, Miami, Orlando
Georgia: Atlanta
Hawaii: Honolulu
Illinois: Chicago, Downers Grove, O’Fallon
Kansas: Wichita
Kentucky: Lexington
Maine: Portland
Maryland: Baltimore
Massachusetts: Boston
Michigan: Detroit, Grand Rapids
Minnesota: Duluth, Minneapolis, St. Paul
Missouri: Kansas City, St. Louis
Nebraska: Omaha
New Jersey: Morristown
New Mexico: Albuquerque
New York: Boonville, New York
North Carolina: Charlotte, Raleigh
North Dakota: Bismarck
Ohio: Akron, Columbus
Oklahoma: Oklahoma City
Oregon: Portland
Pennsylvania: Conshohocken, Philadelphia
Puerto Rico: San Juan
Rhode Island: Providence
South Carolina: Aiken, Greenville, Spartanburg
South Dakota: Sioux Falls
Tennessee: Chattanooga, Nashville, Oak Ridge
Texas: Amarillo, Austin, Beaumont, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Pearland
Utah: Salt Lake City
Virginia: Arlington, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton Roads, Richmond, Roanoke
Washington: Richland, Seattle, Vancouver
Washington, D.C.
Wisconsin: Appleton, Madison

Why isn’t my community listed as an eligible location?

The Foundation is focused on supporting schools and teachers where our employees live and work. As our company footprint expands, we will evaluate our eligibility guidelines.

Can I apply for a grant if I’m not connected with a school?

At this time, we are only accepting applications from K-12 schools, submitted by a school staff member. We will evaluate our eligibility guidelines as the program expands.

What do you fund?

  • Resource materials, supplies, equipment and technology to enhance STEM learning in classroom or school-based extracurricular settings.
  • Professional development for teachers to enhance STEM learning in the classroom.

What don’t you fund?

  • Event sponsorships
  • Field trip expenses
  • Staff salaries and stipends
  • Transportation and lodging expenses
  • Individuals (e.g., scholarships)

Can funding go toward summer STEM initiatives?

Yes. Grants should be used in the upcoming academic year (fall 2025 through summer 2026).

Can multiple staff from my school apply for more than one grant?

Yes. However, the Foundation is unlikely to fund each request.

How much funding can I request?

Grants will be awarded up to $5,000 per applicant.

Do you accept multiyear grant requests?

No. Grants should be used in the upcoming academic year (fall 2025 through summer 2026).

If I received funding in a previous grant cycle, can I apply again?

Yes. However, the Foundation is unlikely to award grants multiple years in a row.

How are funds distributed?

Grants will be remitted to the school, district or school/district foundation. The Foundation cannot grant to an individual.

 

Application

What is the application deadline?

April 11, 2025.

What do I need to submit my application?

Click here to view a sample application.

Who do I contact if I have questions about my application?

Please email stem@burnsmcd.com.

What if the professional development program I’m planning to attend has not posted its registration fee(s)?

Please include the prior year’s fees. The grant request can be made for the prior year’s fees plus 20%.

Why is a grant contact necessary?

We need a primary point of contact for grant administration and communication purposes. Grants will be remitted to the school, district or school/district foundation. The Foundation cannot grant to an individual.

 

Notification

How do I know the Burns & McDonnell Foundation received my application?

Each applicant will receive a confirmation email upon submittal.

When and how will I find out if my grant request is approved?

You will receive an email by May 9, 2025, notifying you of our decision.

When and how are grants distributed?

Grants will be remitted to the school, district or school/district foundation within three weeks of the Foundation receiving a signed grant agreement.

Can I make changes after my grant request is funded?

Please email stem@burnsmcd.com to discuss changes to the grant request or budget. Prospective changes should not alter the original intent of the grant request.

What if I change positions, schools and/or districts after I receive a grant notification?

Please email stem@burnsmcd.com to discuss.

 

Evaluation

What are the reporting requirements?

Grant recipients receiving support for resource materials, supplies, equipment and technology to enhance STEM learning in classroom or extracurricular settings will be asked to provide two impact updates during the following academic year, in January and late April 2026. Grant recipients receiving support for professional development for teachers to enhance STEM learning in the classroom will be asked to provide one impact update in late April 2026. Updates will include a summary of student impact and experience, and how funds have been spent to date against the submitted budget.

 

Application

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