ON Semiconductor Awards Over $305k in Grants to 19 Nonprofits Globally

Oct 22, 2019 10:00 AM ET

Part of the community impact work that ON Semiconductor supports is through its Global Corporate Giving (GCG) Program, which strategically leverages our resources, talent and efforts to support nonprofits and educational institutions. 

Each year, we fund projects and programs in order to create social value and maximize our impact on communities through workplace giving and community grants. In 2018, we invested over $2 million USD to support of communities worldwide.

Our GCG Program is maintained by a network of committee members who represent each of our sites and serve as ambassadors for the program.

In Q3 2019, the team approved grant funding for the following organizations:

Organization Purpose
Arizona Sustainability Alliance This Arizona-based charity creates and supports cutting-edge, project-based sustainability solutions in the state. With this grant, they will work with two high schools in Maricopa County to expand food-growing and technology education utilizing food computers. This will help fund the computers and materials needed at both schools as well as the school liaison support to implement technology for one year. Food computers are controlled greenhouses connected to a computer system where students can monitor and alter plant growth variables. 
 
ASD Oregon This Oregon-based charity provides a summer camp for those with High Functioning Autism (HFA) or Asperger’s Syndrome (AS). Their mission is to provide campers with the opportunity to engage in activities that will help them grow and expand their social experiences. These funds will create financial stability for the camp program, specifically helping to pay for the facility rental, food and lodging as well as supplies including items for a new technology club. 
 
Big Brothers Big Sisters of SW Idaho This Idaho-based charity provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported 1-to-1 relationships that change lives for the better. Currently, the organization is recruiting female STEM professionals to be mentors thus giving female youth exposure to STEM careers, which increases the likelihood of these “Little Sisters” being adequately prepared to enter the Idaho workforce in STEM professions. This grant will help recruit and enroll 15 “Big STEM Sisters,” including recruitment presentations, background checks, reference checks, interviews and training. 
 
Christina Noble Children's Foundation (CNCF) CNCF, based in Vietnam, is committed to helping alleviate child poverty and giving all children the right to a happy and safe childhood by providing them with the necessary care and protection. With this funding, 10 under-privileged female students who are attending the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and studying STEM fields, will receive a stipend for tuition fees as well as living costs so that they can continue to pursue their academic goals.
 
Future for KIDS Future for KIDS, based in Arizona, has a mission to provide mentor-driven, out-of-school-time programs and camps that focus on academics, athletics and ethics to improve the lives of youth who face adversity. Our financial support will help grow their signature program, Discover Your Future, which was designed for Maricopa and Pinal County youth (ages 7-14) who have experienced at least one Adverse Childhood Experience such as low socio-economic status; physical, sexual and emotional abuse; neglect; substance abuse within a household; parent separation or divorce; and/or the incarceration of a household member. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) education is one of three key program components of this program, with youth participating in a 45-minute STEAM activity every week. 
 
Gymnázium Františka Palackého Valašské Meziříčí This grammar school in the Czech Republic focuses on the education of students, ages 13-19, with these funds, they will be able to further support students' interest in technical areas. The purchase of new technology will also enable the students to work more effectively with deepen interests in physics, technology and IT. With this financial assistance, the school will build modifications of classrooms for teaching physics, informatics languages as well as will purchase furnishings and technical equipment such as measuring instruments, computers, etc.
 
IEEE Foundation and GRID Alternatives

IEEE Foundation, enables IEEE programs that enhance technology access, literacy and education as well as supports the IEEE professional community. The Foundation’s Smart Village empowers off-grid communities through education, and energy access via the creation of sustainable, affordable, locally-owned entrepreneurial energy businesses. GRID Alternatives' National Tribal Program works with over 40 Indigenous Nations across the United States to support them in achieving their renewable energy goals through the deployment of solar photovoltaic systems, while providing hands-on training to support tribal members in entering the solar workforce.

The IEEE Smart Village project will serve the San Carlos Apache Tribe (SCT) in Arizona, with joint support from GRID Alternatives. The Tribe is motivated to leverage renewable energy as a tool to advance their energy sovereignty and capacity of the Tribe's Utility Authority, while providing educational and workforce development resources for tribal residents. 

With this funding, the SCT will partner with GRID to install 10 kW systems on three tribal community buildings. The projects will generate savings that would be passed along by the Tribe to benefit all enrolled members through key community services. GRID Alternatives will be the installer and provide hands-on training for local Tribal members in order to expose them to career opportunities in solar while building local capacity for the Tribe to maintain the systems over time.

LearningWorks LearningWorks, a charity based in Maine, reimagines learning through innovative education programs that help children, families and adults realize their potential and build thriving communities for more than 3,000 students each year. This grant supports their afterschool program at two elementary schools in South Portland. This program serves 2nd through 5th graders attending high-poverty schools that are not meeting grade-level benchmarks in math and literacy. The charity will use a special STEM curriculum to help boost students' confidence, engagement in school, sense of belonging and their math and literacy skills.
Meals on Wheels People Meals on Wheels People, based in Oregon, enriches the lives of seniors, and assists them in maintaining independence, by providing nutritious food, human connections and social support. Many of the seniors who receive meals are living below the poverty level and have no other access to fresh, healthy food. Their services have increased dramatically due to the rising costs of housing and healthcare thus impacting seniors’ limited incomes to the point where seniors must choose between paying for their medication or buying food. These funds will help offset overall costs of the program.
 
Moreland Elementary Moreland Elementary School, based in Idaho’s Snake River School District, is committed to being a student-focused community of instruction and learning where students reach their full potential as individuals. The District is committed to redefine and transform the way students learn and communicate in the 21st century by promoting innovation, creativity and collaboration by appropriate technology to enhance delivery of curriculum and activities for students, teachers and the community. This grant will allow the school to purchase technical equipment to create a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) library, which will spike student interest in STEM career fields. These materials will also be available through check-out by teachers at the school library and all teachers at the District will have access to these tools to implement in their classrooms. 
Oregon Food Bank (OFB) Oregon Food Bank, based in Portland, has a mission to eliminate hunger because no one should be hungry. OFB serves low-income children and families throughout Oregon and Clark County, Washington who are struggling to provide for their basic needs. Oregon’s hunger rate remains higher than most states. Nutritious food like fresh produce is often too expensive for many low-income families to afford, making it difficult for them to meet USDA recommendations and eat a healthy diet - filled with fruits and vegetables. This grant will help meet the needs of these food insecure children and families by increasing the number of shopping-style food pantries to ensure that food distribution is guided by what clients want and need as well as improving fresh produce storage and distribution practices. The charity will also pilot a nutrition incentive, Double Up Food Bucks, in which six grocery stores based in underserved communities, will allow for increased access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Pocatello Free Clinic (PFC) The Pocatello Free Clinic (PFC) provides quality health care to the medically underserved of Southeast Idaho and promotes the health and well-being of their community through disease prevention, continuity of care and education.  PFC serves uninsured and non-Medicaid patients with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (defined as earning less than $12,490 for a single person in a year). Laboratory tests are an essential part of diagnoses and treatments, but despite negotiating the best rates, laboratory expenses keep increasing. This grant will cover the significant increased costs to serve more patients with laboratory expenses.
 
Pocatello High School Pocatello High School, in Idaho, is committed to preparing students to take on the challenges of a competitive, ever-changing world and participate as informed, productive members of society. And there is a need for students to be excited and inspired to continue pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education after high school. To confront this challenge, experts recommend replacing conventional laboratory courses with discovery-based research courses for introductory science students. The school will participate in the Small World Initiative, an innovative program that encourages students to pursue careers in science while addressing a worldwide health threat, but also requires specific industry-grade equipment and supplies that are not normally part of a high school program. The monies donated will purchase the equipment and supplies needed to transform their science classroom into an authentic laboratory setting necessary for this type of research. 
 
Robotics Institute of Maine (RIM) Robotics Institute of Maine (RIM) inspires Maine youth to gain a new perspective on science and technology by providing opportunities and resources for robotics programs. RIM also ensures local robotics teams without access to large donors receive financial support as programs are expensive to start and run, with costs of $5k to $12k plus travel. Additionally, women are an under-represented population in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) employment, so RIM actively promotes participation of young women in robotics. This funding will help to expand participation rates by adding on average of four FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) teams and 10 VEX Robotics teams.
 
Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) The Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC), based in New York, stimulates broad community interest and understanding of science and technology, and their impact on our lives. Currently, there is a critical need in the Rochester area for quality, engaging learning experiences that increase literacy and enthusiasm about learning among traditionally underserved groups. RMSC’s Museums for All program removes the financial barrier to these experiences, helping to meet the educational needs of the entire community. For many years, they have offered a Community Partner Pass program, which provides free access to their museum, helping more than 10,000 low-income families and individuals with disabilities each year through partnership with more than 250 community organizations. Recently, the Museum decided to go beyond these efforts and connect with individuals and families that may not have an affiliation with any of the pre-established community groups. These funds will be utilized to subsidize admission for qualifying individuals and families to visit the RMSC for the rate of $1 per person, allowing them access to general museum experiences, such as exhibit interaction, educational programming, science shows, exciting demonstrations, etc.
Saturday Academy Saturday Academy, serves students in Oregon and SW Washington, and strives to engage all motivated young people, including those from underrepresented communities, in hands-on, in-depth learning by connecting them to community experts as educators and mentors. Oregon currently ranks 48th in the nation for high school graduation, and there has been little progress in closing the achievement gap for low-income students. Saturday Academy seeks to serve all students to reduce barriers that limit engagement with STEM subjects for disadvantaged students. The charity also ensures that family finances never limit a student's participation. Free or reduced tuition is awarded to more than 450 students each year. This grant will allow the organization to continue to offer tuition assistance for their classes and camps, which will give underserved students an opportunity to learn about a subject they may not have otherwise encountered. This program will also provide students with access to technologies (software, tools and equipment) along with quality instruction, encouraging them to explore their area of curiosity and find their passion for STEM learning.
tecBRIDGE This charity builds entrepreneurship, innovation and knowledge economy in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Grant funds will be dedicated to local high school outreach to expand participation in both their Entrepreneurship Institute and Innovation Conference, start a college scholarship stipend and design new curriculum for STEM students in the areas of interview skills and financial literacy.
United Way of Southeastern Idaho United Way of Southeastern Idaho promotes thriving communities in the area with strong economies, families and social ties. Currently, they aim to address the educational needs of their local community to address key gaps in educational attainment that could have long-term effects on their regional economy and largest area employers. This grant will fund the “Education-to-Careers” program, with the objective of ensuring that every student in the region has the opportunity to go-on to earn post-secondary credentials. 
VZW Scouts Gidsen and Stam X This organization, based in Belgium, supports young people in their development with a strong focus on constructive societal impact. Currently, two of their local youth development associations were confronted with obsolete infrastructures. Therefore, this project was initiated in order to provide new buildings that are accessible for everyone, including persons with special needs. With this funding, broader and adapted hallways and stairs will be constructed at both locations.

Learn more about ON Semiconductor’s Global Corporate Giving Program.