Battelle Commitment to Philanthropy: 2022 Year in Review

Battelle’s commitment to doing the greatest good for humanity extends beyond scientific and technological expertise to our philanthropic commitment. Reinvesting profits to do the greatest good is a cornerstone of Battelle’s identity. 

Creating more equitable and accessible opportunities for students to experience hands-on science, technology, education and math (STEM) learning is one way Battelle continues to do the greatest good. In 2019, Battelle set an ambitious goal to reach 1 million students by 2025. And in the 2022 fiscal year, we reached 1.4 million students through philanthropy and education efforts at both Battelle and the national laboratories Battelle manages—a full three years ahead of schedule. 

But STEM education isn’t our only philanthropic focus. In times of hardship, we remain committed to our mission to do the greatest good by directing support to communities where our employees live and work, as well as communities around the world facing hardship.

In fact, during the 2022 fiscal year, Battelle corporate philanthropy provided $27.5 million to support education and civic and community programming as well as matching employee giving through the Always Giving program. 

Supporting Employees and Their Communities in Times of Hardship

In January 2022, a devastating wildfire tore through Colorado in an area not far from the headquarters of Battelle’s National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) program. The Marshall Fire destroyed more than 1,000 homes and has been described as the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history. To help support fire victims in the community, Battelle made a $100,000 to the Boulder County Wildfire Fund, managed locally by the Community Foundation Boulder County. 

When Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rico in September 2022, it caused flooding and wind damage, knocking out both electrical power and clean water on the island. To support storm recovery efforts in Puerto Rico, Battelle made a $50,000 donation, split between the American Red Cross and the Hispanic Federation’s Puerto Rico Relief Fund. Both organizations were on the ground attending to immediate relief efforts, providing food, water and generators for some of the most vulnerable in the community.

Aiding Ukrainian Refugees

To support Ukrainian families impacted by the invasion of Russian forces, Battelle made a philanthropic contribution of $100,000 that was split between World Central Kitchen and Direct Relief. World Central Kitchen served thousands of meals to Ukrainian families fleeing their homes, managed food stations at border crossings in Poland and supported local restaurants preparing meals across several Ukrainian cities. Direct Relief worked with Ukraine’s Ministry of Health and other partners to provide critical medical aid to people displaced or affected by the conflict.

Extending STEM Learning Through Regional Community Grants

Battelle’s Regional Community STEM Grant program helps reach talented students who might not otherwise have access to high-quality STEM learning opportunities. Through these efforts, we’re helping equip the next generation of innovative and diverse thinkers, creators and inventors with the skills they need for future careers in STEM disciplines. Battelle awarded a total of $1.2 million, funding 43 programs in 10 communities where Battelle employees live and work outside of central Ohio. Ultimately these programs provided more than 71,000 students with inclusive and high-quality STEM learning experiences. 

Expanding STEM Education Opportunities for Students in Central Ohio 

Battelle donations funded a range of community programs supporting STEM education efforts throughout central Ohio, with a particular focus on students in underserved communities. 

• Helping Girls Dream Big through Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland: Battelle donated $3 million to support the Dream Big initiative. Through this project, Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland will provide girls with pathways to in-demand careers and bridge the gender gap in STEM fields, while a new STEM Leadership Center & Maker Space will create an ecosystem of learning for girls. 
• Increasing Diversity in STEM with PAST Foundation: A $3 million grant from Battelle is funding the PAST Foundation’s Changing the Diversity Dynamics in STEM: The STEM Identity Project. The program specifically focuses on at-risk, high-need student populations and supports diversity and inclusion for minority educators throughout Ohio.
• Making STEM Learning Fun with Center of Science and Industry (COSI): COSI is using $1 million from Battelle to support several signature programs, including the COSI Science Festival, the Color of Science, the PLATFORM (a wrap-around STEM program for the underserved community), and the show QED with Dr. B which highlights breakthroughs in scientific discoveries that impact our daily lives.
• Engaging Underserved Children and Families with the YMCA of Central Ohio: The YMCA of Central Ohio is using a $1 million donation from Battelle to enhance programs at their community centers located in neighborhoods that are most impacted by social determinants of health. A comprehensive set of programs will engage more than 20,000 underserved children with a strong focus on STEM education, dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• The Ohio STEM Learning Network (OSLN) reached 51,000 students in 151 classrooms in FY22 through the OSLN Classroom Grant Program, funded by Battelle. These grants helped create sustainable STEM learning projects in public and private K-12 schools across 55 Ohio counties. Awarded classrooms received grants of up to $5,000, and in total, $687,500 was awarded. 
• The Battelle STEM Grant Program funded a portfolio of 11 out-of-classroom education programs that build STEM skills. Through this program, which awarded $500,000 in 2022, central Ohio organizations created new or expanded STEM learning experiences outside of the school classroom and reached students underserved by traditional opportunities. 

Always Giving

Through our Always Giving program, Battelle matches employee donations dollar for dollar up to $20,000 per year. And our employees’ generosity was on full display in FY22, resulting in $1.5 million in corporate matching donations made to organizations that matter to them.

Battelle will continue to leverage its philanthropic giving in the coming years to support our communities as we seek to fulfill our founder Gordon Battelle’s mission to use science to do the greatest good for society.