PHOENIX – Avnet is launching a new community grant program and announcing the first three grant recipients. Avnet’s philanthropic and employee volunteer program, called Avnet Cares, strives to meet the needs of communities while also building a culture of hands-on volunteering within the company.
Through the new community grant program, Avnet is now accepting applications from eligible 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations and other government-recognized charities. Preference will be given to those grants that align with Avnet’s four focus areas:
- STEM (Science, Technology, Environmental, and Math) – supporting programs that lead to productive career paths for young adults within the STEM field.
- Environment – encouraging technology programs and solutions that enable environmental sustainability through stewardship.
- DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) – investing in and advancing solutions to help ensure people from traditionally under-resourced communities are supported to reach their full potential.
- Communities in Crisis – providing support for critical humanitarian needs at Avnet locations and disaster relief for significant global incidents.
To learn more about rules and guidelines on how to apply for these grants visit Avnet’s Community Engagement website.
Three new grant recipients
- Avnet is sponsoring the SciTech Institute’s Little Free STEM Libraries program. Through the program Avnet employees will help build Free Little Libraries to be placed in rural communities and supply them with STEM-related project supplies and books.
- Avnet is also sponsoring the Arizona Educational Foundation’s Our World (DEI Training). This is a ground-breaking initiative that provides training and workshops on equity, diversity and inclusion for educators, businesses, nonprofits and higher education. The training is designed and facilitated by AZ Teachers of the Year and higher education partners.
- Avnet’s third grant goes to the Arizona Educational Foundation and their teachSTEM program. This program is designed to address Arizona’s critical STEM teacher shortage by motivating junior high and high school students to pursue teaching degrees in STEM and STEM careers.
“We’re excited to provide support for these outstanding organizations and their impactful programs that align with Avnet’s philanthropy focus,” said Ken Arnold, Chief People Officer, Avnet. “We are proud of continuing our long-standing culture of giving back to the community through our new community grant program.”
“The support from Avnet will enable us to extend STEM opportunities to some of the most rural, remote and underserved communities in Arizona through the use of Little Free STEM Libraries,” said Jeremy Babendure, executive director, SciTech Institute.
“Both teachSTEM and Our World fill very real and important needs for Arizona schools. AEF® is honored to have Avnet’s support for these two critical programs supporting students and school faculties,” stated Kim Graham, AEF Executive Director.
For more information, visit www.avnet.com.
