100Kin10 Launches Second STEM Teaching Innovation Fund with Initial Commitments of $5 Million

Funders Will Invest in Innovative Approaches by Best-in-Class Organizations Bringing More, Excellent STEM Teachers to American Classrooms.

100Kin10, a multi-sector partnership addressing the national imperative to train 100,000 science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teachers over the next decade, today announced the creation of Innovation Fund II, with a target of $20 million, to invest in entrepreneurial approaches to bringing more, excellent STEM teachers to American classrooms. The partnership’s first fund, which also had a target of $20 million, closed in February 2012 with 15 funders making commitments totaling $24 million.  More than 10 investments have been made to-date.

Innovation Fund II launches with initial commitments of $5 million from The Samueli Foundation ($3 million), Amgen Foundation ($1 million) and theJohn D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation ($1 million). The Fund’s remit will be to invest in innovations to improve the recruitment, training, hiring, development and retention of 100,000, excellent STEM teachers, as well as the systems to support these goals.

“Through 100Kin10, funders are making focused investments in organizations that are committed to changing the way we identify, prepare and retain strong STEM teachers in our nation,” said Jean Lim Terra, president of the Amgen Foundation.  “With the new Fund we can provide critical support to innovators that are driven to build the tools and approaches best able to impact the quality of teaching.”

The structure of the Fund allows funders to maintain complete control over how their respective commitments are invested in projects proposed by the initiative’s more than 100 innovation partners.  The partnership is currently accepting, and will soon review, nominations for new partners.

Organizations are accepted as 100Kin10 innovation partners following a rigorous vetting process conducted by the University of Chicago Urban Education Institute, which reviews each organization’s capacity to meet concrete, measurable commitments toward expanding, improving and retaining the best of the nation’s STEM teaching force.  Innovation partners range from federal agencies to states, museums to corporations, universities to school districts, non-profits to individuals.  All have been nominated then accepted as partners based on their unique resources and assets and a proven ability to apply them creatively and strategically to address the nation’s shortage of STEM teachers and to improve STEM learning for all students.

To facilitate the submission of proposals by innovation partners seeking project funding, the initiative’s investment partners have established an online registry with a single application to simplify and coordinate the application process. Developed with assistance from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the registry allows easy access by investment partners to view all the submitted proposals and align requests with respective funding cycles.  100Kin10 funders review proposals on a rolling basis.

About 100Kin10​


100Kin10 is a multi-sector mobilization that responds to the national imperative to train 100,000 excellent science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) teachers over the coming 10 years.  The partnership was founded and is led by Carnegie Corporation of New York and Opportunity Equation.

About the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation


The MacArthur Foundation supports creative people and effective institutions committed to building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. In addition to selecting the MacArthur Fellows, the Foundation works to defend human rights, advance global conservation and security, make cities better places, and understand how technology is affecting children and society. MacArthur's digital media and learning initiative aims to determine how digital media are changing the way young people learn, play, socialize, and participate in civic life. Answers are critical to education and other social institutions that must meet the needs of this and future generals. More information is at www. macfound.org

About the Amgen Foundation


The Amgen Foundation seeks to advance science education; improve patient access to quality care; and strengthen the communities where Amgen staff members live and work. Since 1991, the Foundation has made nearly $180 million in grants to local, regional and national non-profit organizations that impact society in inspiring and innovative ways. It has also supported disaster relief efforts both domestically and internationally.www.amgen.com/citizenship/overview.html

About The Samueli Foundation


The Samueli Foundation strives to create societal value by investing innovative, entrepreneurial and sustainable ideas. We support endeavors that embody the following objectives:  Promote scholastic, technical and creative exploration and achievement; build a community of sharing, acceptance and altruism; increase awareness, knowledge and opportunities; and enhance the quality of life of the underserved. www.samueli.org