Funding to Enhance STEM Learning in Orange County Schools
IRVINE, Calif. (October 6, 2025) —The Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) is thrilled to announce the continuation of its partnership with the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation. For the 2025-2026 school year, the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation is awarding a generous $100,000 grant to bolster OCCF’s Inspired Teacher Grant Program. Now entering its fourth year, this program will grant up to $300,000 to Pre-K-12 public and charter schoolteachers in Orange County to support classroom project-based learning opportunities.
The Inspired Teacher Grant Program is designed to support hands-on classroom projects and field trips that foster experiential learning, enhance comprehension, and align with California’s curriculum standards. In 2025, a total of $315,291 in grants were awarded, benefiting 77 schools and facilitating 101 field trips and projects. Educators interested in applying for the upcoming cycle are encouraged to submit applications by October 10, 2025.
“Thanks to the continued support from the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, we can significantly expand the availability of exceptional educational programs that provide students with hands-on learning experiences,” said Shelley Hoss, CEO of OCCF. “This collaboration ensures students have access to enriching opportunities that encourage them to discover their passions and contribute to a brighter future for our community.”
“We’re excited to partner with the Orange County Community Foundation for a second consecutive year to support project-based learning and hands-on STEM activities into OC high schools,” said Dr. Anne Hultgren, Executive Director and CEO of the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation. “Opportunities like these deepen students’ appreciation for the excitement of science while simultaneously heightening their awareness of STEM careers, both of which play important roles in their future success. OCCF, through the Inspired Teacher Grant Program, is equipping our teachers with the STEM resources they need to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.”
OCCF is recognized as the center of gravity for Orange County philanthropy, acting as an unparalleled resource for local philanthropists and their families for 36 years by offering unique insights, deep knowledge, and a diverse array of tools to support both lifetime and legacy giving. To learn more about the Orange County Community Foundation, visit www.oc-cf.org.
About Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation
Located in Irvine, California, the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation supports researchers and nonprofit research institutions in making the next generation of breakthroughs in chemistry and the life sciences. Founded in 1977 by 20th century scientific instrumentation pioneer Dr. Arnold O. Beckman, the Foundation supports United States institutions and young scientists whose creative, high-risk, and interdisciplinary research will lead to innovations and new tools and methods for scientific discovery. For more information, visit beckman-foundation.org.
About Orange County Community Foundation
The Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) transforms our community’s heartfelt intention into greater impact for good by working with local donors and nonprofit partners as an expert advisor and innovator. We serve as a resource for individual and family philanthropists, facilitate grant and scholarship programs, and lead community-based initiatives. We inspire giving and connect people and resources to create sustainable impact, granting more than $1.1 billion since 1989 in Orange County, across the country, and around the world. For more information, visit oc-cf.org or call (949) 553-4202. Be a part of our conversation on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. View OCCF’s 2024 annual report here.
