Girlstart was founded in Austin in 1997 and has since served over 220,000 girls, families, and educators across Texas and in Boston, MA, and California’s Bay Area. Girlstart is focused on STEM education to empower and equip girls in grades 4-8 and young women through year-round, informal education and programming. Its nationally-recognized STEM education programs are diverse and women-centered with real-world connections to STEM careers via guest speakers and career-focused curriculum.  Girlstart’s goal is to serve 1,250 students in 40 Austin-areal elementary schools, a number comparable to pre-pandemic levels.

The grant is unrestricted and awarded in support of the mission and programs of Girlstart.