RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC [September 16, 2024] – Ten North Carolina nonprofit organizations were awarded a total allocation of $130,000 to advance their mission and foster science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) innovation and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within their communities. In collaboration with the Research Triangle Park (RTP) DEI Collective, the RTP Charitable Fund today announced the recipients of the 2024-2025 STEM RTP Grantmaking Program.
Grant recipients received tiered amounts to enhance the impact of their work. The latest cohort operates in the Triangle and throughout the state and includes both previously funded organizations and new applicants:
- Women NC, an organization working to educate, empower and advance gender equality and promote gender equity in North Carolina through student-led research, public policy formulation and advocacy.
- Durham Literacy Center, the leading independent adult literacy provider in Durham County that provides free instruction and tutoring to more than 18,500 adults and out-of-school youth.
- ISLA, a nonprofit that builds community, leadership and equity through educational Spanish language and cultural immersion programs.
- Student U, which uplifts communities with intergenerational services and supports first-generation students and their guardians through middle school, high school, college and beyond.
- North Carolina Sustainable Energy Foundation, a nonprofit organization that drives public policy and market development for clean energy that enables clean energy jobs, economic opportunities and affordable options for North Carolinians.
- Communities in Schools of Wake County, an organization dedicated to fostering a positive impact on students and families in Wake County by prioritizing equitable access, resources and opportunities for students.
- The HBCU STEMuIUS Inc., a nonprofit organization focused on educating students about careers in STEM, utilizing professional resources and advancing minorities in STEM.
- TKG Growth Collaborative, dedicated to fostering STEM education through a dynamic and engaging learning experience for underserved, marginalized, and economically disadvantaged students during the summer months.
- Uplift Project, Inc., a nonprofit focused on education and character improvement, strategic leadership and community development and addressing social, economic and health issues in Durham, Chatham and Orange County.
- Neighbors in Ministry Inc., an organization dedicated to helping economically disadvantaged and racial minority children learn about education, their community, culture and themselves.
“The North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) is excited to partner with Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina (RTF) to offer scholarships for our 2024 ‘Making Energy Work’ conference, which takes place in Raleigh in October. This grant enables us to provide students from underrepresented populations in the clean energy sector with the opportunity to network with energy professionals across the state and become NCSEA members,” says Matt Abele, Executive Director. “Together with RTF, we are thrilled to offer this career-advancing opportunity, which helps reduce barriers and increase opportunities in clean energy for North Carolina students.”
The RTP DEI Collective leads the STEM RTP grant program application and review process with support from RTF, stewards of RTP. The grantmaking program, now in its fourth year, continues to gain momentum and reach more organizations.
“It is truly humbling to witness the profound impact of the STEM RTP Grantmaking program in supporting underserved communities in North Carolina over the past four years,” said Tamara Terry, director of academic research engagement, RTI International and RTP DEI Collective Chair. “We are proud to distribute these funds to organizations that inspire and create opportunities for our future leaders. Diversifying the talent pipeline in RTP and across North Carolina begins with the work of these organizations, which motivates us to continue enhancing this initiative.”
The RTP Charitable Fund works to develop and enrich RTP’s diverse geographic and demographic all-inclusive community. The Fund fulfills its mission through active public engagement in purposefully crafted programs, such as STEM RTP, aimed at fostering socially and environmentally responsible activities spanning arts, education, recreation, celebration and locally grounded human and societal services. These initiatives collectively strive to heighten awareness and knowledge among individuals from the wider public, particularly those whose livelihoods are intricately connected to the success of RTP and the state of North Carolina.
The next grant application request will be released in early summer 2025 to continue supporting organizations working in the space where DEI and STEM collide.
To learn more about the STEM RTP grant program and recipients, visit https://www.rtp.org/stem-rtp-grant.
About the Research Triangle Park Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Collective
Founded in the fall of 2019, the RTP DEI Collective was created to unify and amplify Research Triangle Park (RTP) companies’ diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Led by Madame Chair Tamara Terry and Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina staff members, the Collective includes over 60 companies and 21 regional allies committed to DEI. As Research Triangle Park and the Triangle Region continue to grow, RTP leaders recognize the importance of amplifying DEI values to create a window of opportunities that better serve skilled talent Park communities are hiring, helpful fuel workforce recruitment and retention.
Next-generation leaders seek to represent and value a diverse and equal workforce. The Collective is focused on helping create equitable and inclusive spaces for tomorrow’s leaders to thrive. As we break down silos across RTP companies to collaborate and synergize efforts, we all benefit from the resulting advancement in talent attractions, contributing to better business outcomes for all.
About the RTP Charitable Fund
RTP Charitable Fund was organized on September 17, 2015, as a non-profit organization to build and enhance the diverse geographic and demographic all-inclusive community of Research Triangle Park by providing its public participation in programs designed to provide societal and environmentally sound activities in the arts, education, recreation, celebration and locally based human and social services.
About Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina
Since 1959, the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina (RTF) has served Research Triangle Park in its mission to facilitate collaboration among our region’s industries, universities, and workforce, and create economic impact for the residents of North Carolina by attracting the world’s most innovative companies and top-tier talent. Comprised of 7,000 acres, its boundaries are centrally located among Duke University, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. RTP is home to 55,000 employees and more than 375 companies and national labs, including Apple, BASF, Biogen, Cisco Systems, EPA, Fidelity Investments, IBM, LabCorp, Lenovo, Lilly, NetApp, NIEHS, RTI International and United Therapeutics. For more information, visit https://rtp.org.
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Media Contact for RTF
Kelly Propst
VP of Marketing & Communications
propst@rtp.org