It’s Only Common Sense: Customers Capabilities—and Confidence
Marcy’s Musings: Operating Without a Rulebook
Dan’s Biz Bookshelf: ‘The 'NVIDIA Way: Jensen Huang and the Making of a Tech Giant’
KLA Foundation Announces Inaugural $1 Million in Education Equity Fund Grants
August 9, 2023 | KLAEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
KLA Corporation announced the KLA Foundation has awarded inaugural KLA Education Equity Fund grants totaling $1 million to four education-related nonprofits working to narrow the gap for underrepresented K-12 students in California and Oregon.
"Each of these organizations is bringing innovative solutions to students that will help them learn, grow and thrive," said Jen Shea, executive director, KLA Foundation. "It's hard to dispute the impact of investment in education, and we chose these organizations to receive the foundation's first KLA Equity Fund grants based on their impactful change in communities where our company has a presence."
KLA Foundation made the grants to these organizations for meeting three core values of expanding access to education, advancing emotional well-being and improving systems:
Project Invent, San Francisco: $375,000 over three years to enhance invention and entrepreneurship by preparing teachers to empower traditionally underserved students as innovators who invent technology solutions that solve real problems in their communities.
Pivotal, San Jose: $300,000 over three years to help young people in and from foster care in three California counties finish high school in a state where only 46% of youth in foster care graduate from high school; an average 74% of youth in Pivotal's program have completed high school.
Urban Ed Academy, San Francisco: $250,000 over two years for its "Man the Bay" initiative that has brought more than 25 men of color to teach 2,500 students in San Francisco and Oakland since 2018; nationally, only 1.2% of teachers are African American men.
ELSO, Inc., Portland: $100,000 over two years to build culturally responsive educational programs focusing on climate justice, STEM literacy and community resilience; the organization will apply its KLA Foundation grant to help teachers at a local elementary school bring STEM learning outdoors through its Youth Climate Justice Education Project.
For details on each organization's project and impact of KLA funding, go to KLA Advance.
The KLA Education Equity Fund is a multiyear grant program focused initially on U.S. communities where KLA has operations. The foundation plans to announce additional grants in 2024 and beyond.
"In the U.S., K-12 education has the power to lift communities and strengthen the economy," Shea said. "To fulfill this idea, the U.S. must address the needs among underrepresented students, and KLA is committed to investing in communities where we live and work."
"The KLA Foundation provides strategic partnerships with organizations through grant funding like this or by empowering KLA employees to get involved in causes that are close to their hearts," said John Van Camp, chairman of the KLA Foundation board, and KLA executive vice president and chief human resources officer. "These kinds of support programs consistently deliver meaningful impact to our communities, which we believe truly benefits us all."
Share on:
Testimonial
"Your magazines are a great platform for people to exchange knowledge. Thank you for the work that you do."
Simon Khesin - Schmoll MaschinenSuggested Items
Smart Automation: The Journey of a Component Through an SMT Factory
04/22/2026 | Josh Casper -- Column: Smart AutomationIn electronics manufacturing, the SMT line tends to get most of the attention. Placement machines, inspection systems, screen printers, and reflow ovens often take center stage when discussing productivity improvements or new equipment investments. While these systems are obviously critical to the manufacturing process, they only represent a portion of the journey every component takes before becoming part of a finished assembly.
PHOTO GALLERY: Putting in the Work on Standards, Professional Development
04/16/2026 | I-Connect007Behind every standard, innovation, and step forward in electronics are the people who show up to do the work. This week's photo gallery highlights the attendees who filled meeting rooms and classrooms throughout APEX, collaborating on standards development committees, sharing expertise, and investing in their own growth through professional development. These are the faces of progress, gathered not just to learn, but to contribute and shape what comes next.
PHOTO GALLERY: APEX EXPO Receptions Are Where the Industry Comes Together
04/10/2026 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamAPEX EXPO receptions offer a chance to step away from the booth and connect in a more relaxed setting. From newcomer gatherings to the ice cream social, the show floor reception, and the Golden Gnomes, these events bring attendees together across roles and experience levels. Enjoy this photo gallery of social gatherings. You might find yourself and people you know! It’s a place to reconnect with colleagues, meet people you’ve only known by name, and discover new companies shaping the industry—strengthening relationships and building a sense of community.
New SMT007 Magazine: Wire Harness Solutions
04/01/2026 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamIn the new issue of SMT007 Magazine, explore what’s shaping wire harness manufacturing and how new solutions are helping companies streamline operations and better support EMS providers. Hear from experts at the Wire Harness Manufacturer’s Association, companies advancing automated quoting, and see how these shifts are influencing production in one of the world’s largest wire harness hubs: Mexico.
Learning with Leo: Why Risk-based Auditing Is Reshaping Cable Assembly Quality
04/01/2026 | Leo Lambert -- Column: Learning With LeoEffective product development requires early and active participation from all stakeholders. The design process must include input from supply chain, manufacturing engineering, purchasing, quality, and production. A design cannot be considered complete until it has been evaluated against the full manufacturing process, whether executed by an OEM or a subcontractor. Without this collaboration, designs are often released that are not manufacturable in real-world conditions.