In recognition of the interdependence of Los Alamos National Laboratory and Northern New Mexico communities, the Los Alamos National Laboratory Foundation (LANL Foundation) exists to enhance the vitality of the region by investing in education, learning, and community development. Since 1998, the LANL Foundation has invested more than $38 million in over 2,000 grants serving regional schools, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and Pueblo/Tribal communities.
Click here to view a list of all 2011 grantees.

Partnership with LANS

In 2011, in continued partnership with Los Alamos National Security, LLC (LANS), the LANL Foundation provided $3,806,205* to educational institutions and nonprofit organizations in Northern New Mexico for a wide variety of education programs addressing critical public education needs in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

*Included in this total are corporate gifts of $600,000 from LANS to support additional educational outreach grants to the Northern New Mexico Inquiry Science Education Consortium ($250,000), and the Northern New Mexico Math and Science Academy ($100,000). LANS also made an additional corporate gift for student scholarships by matching employee contributions to the Los Alamos Employees’ Scholarship Fund ($250,000).

Focus on STEM Education
The LANL Foundation’s focus is STEM Education (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) in the areas of teacher professional development, curriculum enhancement, educational technology supporting classroom instruction, and support for student learning. Ninety-eight percent (98%) of all grants made by the LANL Foundation in 2011 supported STEM education programs. Click here to learn more about STEM education and the specific types of activities supported by the Foundation’s grant programs.

Educational Enrichment Grants
The Educational Enrichment program is designed to help eligible school districts in Northern New Mexico address critical STEM public education needs and improve the quality of education for local children. In 2011, the LANL Foundation awarded $2,393,469 in Educational Enrichment grants to 14 school districts in Northern New Mexico. District eligibility and funding amounts are based on an annual census of employees of the Los Alamos National Laboratory and its contractors. Grant allocations to the school districts are determined by the percentage of employees that live within a particular school district. From the workforce data and funding available, school districts will be contacted by the LANL Foundation to inform them of their eligibility and the amount of funds available. The Educational Enrichment program is supported by two funding sources. In 2012, Los Alamos National Laboratory will contribute $1.5 million for Educational Enrichment grants, and the LANL Foundation will contribute $900,000. Based on current agreements between LANL and the Foundation, LANL’s annual contributions are expected to be completed by 2013. The Foundation’s endowment will continue to support the Educational Enrichment program.

Small Grants
The Small Grants program is designed to provide timely support to nonprofit educational institutions in Los Alamos, Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Sandoval, Santa Fe, and Taos counties. Small grants are competitive, and the Foundation will provide awards up to $1,500 for STEM education programs. In 2011, $76,500 was awarded by the small grants program. In 2012, the LANL Foundation small grants program will award up to $100,000.