STEM Greenhouse

GRGD 2024 affirmed the value of collective action and the importance of staying connected to West Michigan’s broader nonprofit ecosystem. As we continue working to address systemic inequities, we value opportunities to align with others committed to lasting community change.

If funding were limitless, STEM Greenhouse would ensure every student of color, regardless of ZIP code, has consistent access to high-quality, culturally responsive STEM education. We’d expand programming, strengthen community partnerships, and invest in educators who reflect the students they serve.We imagine a future where STEM learning inspires confidence, connection, and belonging, where students are fully prepared with access to mentors, affirming support, and opportunities that honor their identities and nurture their dreams.

Funds raised on GRGD 2025 will help us continue closing the STEM opportunity and achievement gaps—where only 1 in 12 Black 7th-grade students are proficient in math, compared to 1 in 4 White students (MI School Data, 2024). This isn’t about ability—it’s about access. And closing that gap is essential to building the diverse, inclusive STEM talent pipeline Michigan needs.Every dollar raised strengthens our ability to serve students who have historically been excluded. Your support helps us amplify our impact: expanding hands-on learning experiences that build foundational math and science skills, supporting dedicated staff, and deepening our investment in the schools and communities we serve.

“There is racism in philanthropy, not necessarily intentionally, but I think people tend to give to people they know. If you don’t have that social capital, you’re just not in the circles that the people who typically get funding are in, and getting into those circles is very difficult as a person of color and as a woman of color too” - Dr. Keli Christopher, Founder and CEO https://www.grmag.com/education-1/doctor-champions-stem-access-in-underrepresented-communities/