The Burns & McDonnell Foundation is partnering with schools to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders in the communities across the country where our employee-owners live and work. Schools are invited to apply for grants of up to $5,000 to enhance STEM learning in the classroom and school-based STEM programs. The application deadline for the 2024-25 school year is April 12, 2024.

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

  • Engage underrepresented and underserved students
  • Benefit groups of students (e.g., extracurricular clubs/teams, classroom, grade, school)
  • Support ongoing STEM project-based learning and design thinking throughout the academic 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 12: Application period
  • By May 10: Grant award notification; funds must be utilized within 12 months of the date of award
  • By Sept. 30: Grant agreement signed
  • By Oct. 31: Grant remitted

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
District of Columbia
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: St. Louis
Nebraska: Omaha
New Jersey: Morristown
New Mexico: Albuquerque
New York: New York
North Carolina: Charlotte, Raleigh
North Dakota: Bismarck
Ohio: Akron, Columbus
Oklahoma: Oklahoma City
Oregon: Portland
Pennsylvania: Conshohocken, Philadelphia
Rhode Island: Providence
South Carolina: Aiken, Greenville, Spartanburg
South Dakota: Sioux Falls
Tennessee: Chattanooga, Nashville, Oak Ridge
Texas: Amarillo, Austin, 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, particularly as we grow beyond our world headquarters in Kansas City. As our company footprint continues to expand, 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 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, stipends and transportation
  • Individuals (e.g., scholarships)

Can multiple staffers 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.

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

Yes.

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 12, 2024.

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 10%.

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 10, 2024, notifying you of our decision.

When and how are grants distributed?

Grants will be remitted to the school, district or school/district foundation by Oct. 31, 2024, pending return of the 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 2025. 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 2025. 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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At this time, Burns & McDonnell is not offering pure architectural services in the states of Illinois, Montana, New Hampshire or New Jersey. We may, however, provide design-build services for architectural projects.