Avnet Cares awarded seven community grants last month to nonprofit organizations making meaningful impacts in STEM education, environmental sustainability and support for communities in crisis. Avnet reviews grants on a quarterly basis and focuses on initiatives that create long-term, positive change in these three priority areas.
One recipient, the Science Club for Girls, received funding to support the expansion of its Science Clubs and Junior Mentors Program across Greater Boston for the 2025–26 academic year. These programs will engage more than 1,150 youth through hands-on STEM learning, mentorship from diverse women in STEM and critical social-emotional support.
Science Clubs offer experiential STEM exploration for students in grades K–8, while the Junior Mentor Program deepens STEM learning for grades 8–12 and builds leadership skills as participants serve as near-peer mentors. Youth will dive into Human Anatomy and Biology in Fall 2025, followed by Rocketry, Physics, and Astronomy in Spring 2026. Both in-person and virtual options ensure accessibility for families across Cambridge, Somerville, Boston, Malden, and surrounding Gateway Cities.
“Working at Avnet has taught me something powerful: giving back changes you,” said Karen Field, VP Content Marketing at Avnet. “When Avnet Cares connected me with Science Club for Girls in my hometown of Cambridge, I discovered a mission that matters—sparking curiosity and confidence in STEM for girls and youth. I worried I’d need complex equations. Instead, I learned making an impact is about igniting dreams. And honestly—I received far more than I gave.”
Additional grants were awarded to After School All Stars, Arizona Interscholastic Association, AZCEND, ICAN, Natural Restorations and SARSEF.
To learn more about Avnet Cares’ grant program, click here.