← Back to US Funders Directory

Akamai Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$2.9M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.3M
Decision Time
5mo

Akamai Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,875,968 (107 grants in 2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Applications typically open in Q1 (fall), decisions announced in early spring
  • Grant Range: $575 - $250,000 (median: $10,000)
  • Geographic Focus: International (prioritizes Boston area, Poland, Costa Rica, and India)

Contact Details

Website: https://akamaifoundation.com/ and https://www.akamai.com/company/corporate-responsibility/akamai-foundation

Email: akamaifoundation@akamai.com

Phone: 800-839-1754

Address: Cambridge, MA

Overview

Founded in 2000 and endowed with $50 million in 2018, the Akamai Foundation is the corporate foundation of Akamai Technologies. With total assets of $64.1 million and annual giving of approximately $2.2-2.9 million, the Foundation is dedicated to encouraging the next generation of technology innovators by supporting STEM education, with a focus on excellence in mathematics for grades K-12. The Foundation selects partners that align with its giving mission and core values, with a goal to inspire the next generation of innovators. In 2024, the Foundation awarded more than $2.2 million in STEM grant funding to 62 organizations around the world, focusing on AI skill-development, cybersecurity education, computer science training, and diversifying the technology ecosystem. The Foundation emphasizes equal access to quality STEM education and programs designed to attract more diversity to the technology industry.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Early Learner (K-12) STEM Grants

  • Grant range: $575 - $50,000 (typical smaller grants)
  • Application method: Annual open application via website (typically opens Q1/fall)
  • Focus: K-12 mathematics education and STEM programs for underserved populations
  • Emphasis on programs serving underserved students, girls, and closing achievement gaps in STEM disciplines

2. Empower STEM Grant Program

  • Grant range: $50,000 - $100,000+ (higher threshold grants)
  • Application method: Invitation only
  • Focus: Diversifying the technology industry by supporting college programs, technology career pathways, and entrepreneurship
  • Targets underrepresented populations in tech, including cybersecurity education and training
  • First launched in 2022 with $1 million in awards

Priority Areas

What They Actively Fund:

  • K-12 mathematics and STEM education programs
  • Programs serving underserved student populations
  • Initiatives focused on girls and women in technology
  • Digital equity and equal access to quality STEM education
  • Diversity initiatives in the technology industry
  • College-level technology career pathways for underrepresented groups
  • Cybersecurity education and training
  • AI skill-development programs
  • Computer science training
  • Technology entrepreneurship for underrepresented populations

Geographic Priorities:

  • Boston and Massachusetts (primary focus)
  • Poland, Costa Rica, and India (international priorities)
  • Global reach where Akamai employees live and work

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations not tax exempt under sections 501(c)(3) or 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code (or equivalent status for non-US entities)
  • Multiple applications from the same organization within a calendar year
  • Programs without direct impact on K-12 STEM education or technology diversity initiatives

Governance and Leadership

The Akamai Foundation Board is composed of eight Akamai leaders, spanning global communities and helping to consider philanthropy from a range of diverse perspectives.

Known Board Members (Trustees):

  • Natalie Billingham - Senior Vice President, EMEA Sales and Channels & Managing Director EMEA, Akamai
  • George Conrades - Executive Advisor, Former Board Chair and CEO, Akamai
  • James Kretchmar - Senior Vice President & Chief Technical Officer, Cloud Technology Group, Akamai

Staff Leadership:

  • Kara DiGiacomo - Executive Director of the Akamai Foundation, oversees community investments, Disaster Relief Response, Danny Lewin Community Care Days volunteer program, and signature community partnerships

Leadership Quote:

"When our global teams join together, support others, and recognize the strength that comes from unifying resources—that recipe enables us to have a lasting impact in areas where our employees live and work."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Early Learner (K-12) STEM Grants:

  • Annual application cycle via the Foundation's website
  • Application window typically opens in Q1 (fall) for funding decisions announced in early spring
  • The Foundation posts guidelines and due dates on its website each year
  • Applications generally accepted in the fall for grant announcements in early spring
  • Organizations interested in future funding should monitor the website for when applications open

Empower STEM Grant Program:

  • Invitation-only program
  • No public application process
  • Organizations are nominated by Akamai employees or identified through site-specific review teams

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be tax exempt under sections 501(c)(3) or 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code and classified as a public charity under section 509(a) of the Code (or equivalent status for non-US entities)
  • Must demonstrate direct impact in mathematics education or other STEM areas for K-12 students
  • Prioritization given to programs focused on underserved populations
  • Organizations may request funds only once during a calendar year

Decision Timeline

  • Application window opens: Q1 (typically fall)
  • Grant announcements: Early spring (typically March-April based on 2022-2023 patterns)
  • Total timeline: Approximately 4-6 months from application to decision

Notification Methods:

  • Decisions communicated through the Foundation's official channels
  • Grant recipients publicly announced via press releases

Success Rates

The Foundation does not publicly disclose specific success rates or acceptance percentages. However:

  • In 2024: 107 grants awarded to 62 organizations (approximately $2.9 million)
  • In 2024: 62 organizations received STEM grant funding totaling $2.2 million
  • In 2023: Approximately 50+ global STEM organizations received funding
  • The Foundation is described as "relatively accessible" compared to other funders
  • Supports both large established organizations and smaller community-based projects

Partner Organization Statistics (2024):

  • 100% prioritize inclusive workplaces and serve low-income participants
  • 96% support individuals from underrepresented backgrounds
  • 84% address basic educational needs in their communities
  • 74% have previously received Akamai Foundation funding (indicating strong support for repeat grantees)

Reapplication Policy

  • Organizations may request funds only once during a calendar year
  • Specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly disclosed
  • 74% of funded organizations have received previous funding, suggesting unsuccessful applicants can reapply in subsequent years

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's documented priorities and funded projects, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Direct STEM Impact on Underserved Populations

  • Organizations must demonstrate direct impact on K-12 STEM education, particularly mathematics
  • Prioritization given to programs focused on underserved populations, girls, and closing achievement gaps
  • 100% of funded partners serve low-income participants and prioritize inclusive workplaces

2. Alignment with Current Focus Areas

  • Recent emphasis on AI skill-development, cybersecurity education, and computer science training
  • Strong interest in digital equity and equal access to quality STEM education
  • Programs that diversify the technology ecosystem and industry pipeline

3. Geographic Alignment

  • Organizations based in or serving Boston/Massachusetts have priority
  • International applicants should focus on Poland, Costa Rica, or India
  • Programs in communities where Akamai employees live and work

4. Innovation and Excellence

  • The Foundation seeks to "inspire the next generation of innovators"
  • Programs should promote "pursuit of excellence in mathematics" and STEM fields
  • Examples of successful innovative programs include Northeastern University's A2M4Tech Program (Associate to Master's degree Pathway for Technology), which received $750,000 for an innovative and affordable pathway to the technology sector combining academic study and work

5. Organizational Capacity for Diversity and Inclusion

  • 96% of funded organizations support individuals from underrepresented backgrounds
  • Strong emphasis on programs attracting diversity to the technology industry
  • Commitment to inclusive workplaces and serving diverse student populations

6. Evidence of Community Need

  • 84% of funded partners address basic educational needs in their communities
  • Programs should demonstrate how they fill gaps in STEM access and opportunity

7. Examples of Recently Funded Projects:

2023 Empower Grant Recipients (examples):

  • Women Who Code Inc.
  • United Negro College Fund (UNCF)
  • NPower Inc.
  • Northeastern University
  • Per Scholas Inc.
  • Resilient Coders
  • Hidden Genius Project
  • Digital Promise

2023 K-12 Grant Recipients (examples):

  • Boys and Girls Club of Boston
  • Calculus Project
  • Girls Incorporated of Greater Atlanta
  • Mathematical Association of America
  • Center for Excellence in Education
  • Streetcode Academy

2022 Notable Project:

  • Yulia's Dream - MIT's PRIMES program offering free math enrichment for exceptional high school students from Ukraine

8. Employee Connection Advantage

  • Site-specific review teams evaluate applications across multiple global locations
  • Employee volunteers conduct community outreach and nominate organizations
  • 45% of partners benefit from Akamai volunteers, guest speakers, site tours, or other engagement opportunities beyond funding

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic targeting is crucial: If you're not in Boston/Massachusetts, Poland, Costa Rica, or India, your chances may be significantly reduced
  • Mathematics focus matters: While broader STEM is supported, mathematics education for K-12 remains the core priority
  • Demonstrate diversity impact: Show how your program specifically serves underserved populations, particularly girls and underrepresented groups in technology
  • Align with current trends: Applications emphasizing AI skill-development, cybersecurity education, or computer science training align with recent funding patterns
  • Build Akamai employee connections: Organizations nominated or supported by Akamai employees appear to have advantages in the selection process
  • Consider the Empower program for higher education: If working with college-level tech career pathways, building relationships for potential Empower program invitation could yield larger grants ($50,000-$100,000+)
  • Repeat applicants are welcomed: With 74% of funded organizations being previous recipients, the Foundation clearly values ongoing relationships with proven partners

References

← Back to US Funders Directory