Featured Grantees
UCSD Makes Problem-solving at Scale Possible
Gift expands UC San Diego efforts to teach engineering problem solving, far beyond its campus doors.
UCSD’s Jacobs School of Engineering has embarked on a novel effort to equip new generations with the technical skills they will need to solve problems and drive emerging industries of the future.
The school’s breakthrough “Problem Solve Like an Expert” curriculum, teacher training, and AI tools are making it possible for colleges anywhere – as well as high schools, through new high school courses that fulfill a science requirement – to teach technical problem solving at scale.
Through a partnership between the Jacobs School and the Division of Extended Studies, since 2020, UC San Diego has significantly expanded the capacity of the field to cultivate the same problem-solving skills that are a core part of the education of engineers and computer scientists at the university level.
Thousands of San Diego area high school students have already benefitted from these innovative courses, which are not typically available in the field. This grant is helping the UC San Diego team expand the number of high schools offering the A-G-approved problem-solving physics course, and will also enable the creation of similar “Problem Solve Like an Expert” courses and teacher trainings in high school chemistry and biology, for use in San Diego and across the country.
In addition, this grant supports UCSD’s efforts to expand its recently piloted college-level problem-solving course to students of all majors.
Notably, problem solving is the most universal skill sought by employers, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, with nearly 90 percent of recruiters saying they are looking for a candidate’s ability to solve problems. Engineers and computer scientists learn to become highly effective problem solvers as part of their education. However, these critical thinking skills are generally only taught and practiced in upper division engineering and computer science courses.
Learn more: Gift Expands UCSD Efforts to Teach Problem-Solving at Scale
Small Scientists, Big Ideas: The YMCA’s Approach to Preschool STEM
As the largest childcare provider in the county of San Diego, the YMCA is committed to continuous quality improvement and deepening impact in young lives. After identifying an area of growth around equitable STEM education for young children, the YMCA of San Diego County set out to create a more playful, accessible way to spark scientific thinking in preschoolers. Guided by its commitment to hands-on, child-centered education, the Y piloted three outdoor play spaces designed to nurture foundational STEM skills like problem solving, creativity, and critical thinking.
This effort grew from close collaboration between YMCA educators and families, who co-created both the physical environments and a set of professional learning resources to help teachers integrate STEM into daily routines.
The process not only enriched classroom learning but also deepened family engagement and strengthened the connection between home and school.
As the program continues to evolve, the Y is expanding it to additional sites and sharing its experience with other early education organizations. The hope is that this work can serve as a helpful example of how thoughtful design, collaboration, and a clear educational vision can support young learners. Support for the project’s planning and implementation was made possible through funding from the Girard Foundation.
Learn more about Preschool at the YMCA
Building Futures: JA’s Summer Youth Employment Program
Connecting teens to paid summer jobs—that’s Junior Achievement (JA) in action. It’s a prime example of what the organization is all about. In San Diego, JA’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) does exactly that, helping boost workplace readiness among local high school students, and along the way, building essential life skills.
During the past two summers, more than 200 students gained hands-on experience at one of JA’s 30 partner organizations. These include Hawthorne Cat (heavy equipment sales and service), Deloitte (accounting), and Maya’s Cookies (retail). The range of industries reflects the diversity of San Diego’s economy—and the opportunities available to young people.
For many students, especially those who haven’t always had access to these kinds of opportunities, SYEP is a game-changer. It helps them meet mentors, build confidence, and see what’s possible for their future. And when young people thrive, the whole community benefits—with a more diverse, skilled workforce and a stronger local economy.
With support from the Girard Foundation, JA is expanding SYEP’s model to reach more students and partners across San Diego. The goal: scalable impact that benefits youth, businesses, and the community for years to come.
Learn more: Junior Achievement San Diego
List of Grantees
These are a sampling of grantees the Girard Foundation has supported during the past three years.
University of California San Diego
Girard funding helps expand UCSD’s physics curriculum to thousands of high school and college students, teaching how to “Problem Solve Like an Expert”. New courses in chemistry and biology are being developed incorporating problem-solving curricula to equip future generations for emerging industries.
Jr. Achievement – Own Your Future
Junior Achievement introduces high school students to financial literacy, career skills, and work-based learning. With Girard Foundation support, JA advances its career-connected programs, including a Workforce Development initiative giving students instruction and paid experience in construction, life sciences, government, and other sectors.
YMCA of San Diego County
The YMCA partners with local providers to expand quality childcare. Backing from the Girard Foundation enables STEM curriculum development, teacher training, upgrades to outdoor STEM playground equipment, and business-skills training for home daycare providers to strengthen enrollment, finances, and sustainability.
Elementary Institute of Science (EIS)
EIS provides hands-on STEM learning for grades 3-12 in Title 1 schools. Its Steps-2-STEM program, supported by Girard Foundation, reaches 1,300 4th & 5th grade students. Recently, EIS launched the new Learning2 program that blends literacy with science for grades 3 and 4.
Helix Charter High School
Helix Charter High expanded its Medical Assistant/Patient Care CTE Pathway and deepened its partnership with Sharp Healthcare. The program now operates at eight sites, with 220 students pursuing medical assistant jobs or further healthcare education, supported in part by Girard Foundation funding.
Just In Time for Foster Youth
Just in Time for Foster Youth offers training, certifications, financial literacy workshops, and career coaching to help young adults leaving foster care build secure, productive lives. These expanded services were made possible in part through support from the Girard Foundation.
Khan Academy – Khanmigo AI
Khanmigo is Khan Academy’s AI tutor and teaching assistant, designed with safety and learning as top priorities. Developed and tested with support from the Girard Foundation, it aids multiple subjects and provides districts tools to enhance instruction and track progress.
Mission Driven Finance
Mission Driven Finance’s Care Access Real Estate initiative acquires childcare homes and centers to expand access and build provider equity. Aided by Girard’s investment, CARE has purchased 24 properties in three states, housing 19 providers and serving nearly 300 children.
Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE)
PIQE builds family–school partnerships that promote student achievement and offers programs in multiple languages across San Diego County. Its Bridge to Career Success pilot curriculum was developed through a Girard grant to better serve diverse and underserved communities.
Project Next
Future Centers run by Project Next now serve eight North County San Diego high schools, providing career counseling, skill-building, career fairs, and job shadowing. The expansion from three schools to eight was enabled by ongoing support from the Girard Foundation.
San Diego Automotive Museum
High school students explore automotive trade careers through the San Diego Automotive Museum’s IGNITE Academy, which provides hands-on training and apprenticeships. IGNITE increased staffing, relocated to a larger site, and expanded student access, thanks in part to a Girard grant.
Silicon Schools Fund
Silicon Schools Fund’s K–2 model builds independence and boosts outcomes through focused small-group teaching. Supported by Girard’s grant, it now serves 600 students. With help from Transcend Education, Silicon Schools is developing implementation tools to help other schools adopt the model.
Summit Public Schools
Summit’s Career Expeditions program gives upper-level students immersive exposure to career pathways through coursework, independent study, and internships, with seniors receiving individualized Concrete Next Step plans. Program growth – including stronger data systems – is supported in part by the Girard Foundation.
Transcend Education
Transcend makes school redesign attainable for more communities through its teaching model library, curated tools and training pathways centered on access and scale. Its support for school teams—from program review to model creation—is bolstered by Girard Foundation funding.
Voice of San Diego
Voice of San Diego equips families with clear information through its annual Parents’ Guide to San Diego Schools, produced in English and Spanish. Supported by the Girard Foundation, the guide covers choice, enrollment, after-school care, and performance data.
Note: We offer grants by invitation only