Search Nonprofits

The mission of the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum (AAHOM) is to inspire people to discover the wonder of science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEaM). Our vision is to be the leader in imaginative and interactive learning experiences. Thanks to a steadfast belief in the power of STEaM when placed in the hands of pre-K through 8th graders, we enjoy one of the highest annual attendance rates at a science center in the State of Michigan: over 290,000 visitors in the last year. We have over 7,750 family members, demonstrating the value they find in our exhibits and programs. Over 5.4 million visitors have visited AAHOM since it opened its doors in 1982, making it one of the most popular science centers in the State of Michigan. In the last fiscal year (October 1, 2014-September 30, 2015), 73% of AAHOM visitors came from five counties in Southeast Michigan as follows: Washtenaw (32.8%), Wayne (22.7.%), Oakland (13.6%), Livingston (3.4%), and Macomb (3.4%). Our outreach programs serve the State of Michigan and northern Ohio. In the last fiscal year, we delivered 518 outreach programs. Distance learning programs reach schools through the U.S., Canada, and Australia.

CuriOdyssey, a science park for children, incorporates the foundations of the former Coyote Point Museum, but with a new vision. We are a stellar learning center that offers children a comprehensive introduction to the sciences. Our interactive science exhibits, exciting wildlife encounters, and engaging education programs give children authentic learning experiences that help develop an appreciation of the role of science in our lives. We provide the tools and experiences for children to learn and discover the fundamentals of physics, chemistry, biology, and geology by engaging them directly with scientific phenomena – animals, air, sound, water, plants, magnetism, and more. Through such interactions, we help to educate and inspire future leaders and innovators.

Libraries Without Borders is an international nonprofit that expands access to information, education and cultural resources to vulnerable populations around the world. Our interventions address the structural causes of economic and human underdevelopment, reduce the digital divide, and promote cultural resilience. By focusing on the curation and customization of educational materials, along with the logistics and security involved with delivery, storage and construction of learning spaces, we have been able to develop innovative programs, create and re-envision library spaces and support librarians in over 25 countries. Most recently, we received the Library of Congress' International Literacy Award (2016) and won the Google Impact Challenge (2015). We advocate the idea of the library as a toolbox for communities to disseminate knowledge, promote social harmony, accompany the least fortunate, and ultimately, pursue human and economic development. We work in five areas of intervention: 1. EDUCATION LWB establishes libraries and information resource centers in universities and schools. This support manifests itself in the donation of materials, technical equipment, texts, and multimedia and electronic resources. LWB also provides support to teachers in their education responsibilities by putting in place educational resource centers as well as creating educational digital content. 2. INFORMATION AND CULTURE LWB supports the development of structures providing access to books, information and culture in developing countries. LWB enters into partnerships with libraries to help them develop their textual and digital resources and set up quality cultural programs. LWB also accompanies the creation of cultural projects for specific and disadvantaged groups such as visually impaired persons, prisoners and refugee populations. 3. CAPACITY BUILDING LWB initiates innovative specialized resource projects to reinforce the capacities of specific groups such as professionals from the medical or justice sectors. In facilitating access to verified and quality-controlled information, LWB accompanies their daily work in servicing their communities as well as their scientific research. 4. CONSERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE LWB assists in the conservation and promotion of local written or oral heritage through the creation of specialized structures (libraries, cultural centers) and the training of personnel in these professions. Within the framework of promoting local knowledge and supporting publishers in developing countries, LWB also promotes the diffusion of local literature. 5. CULTURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP LWB works alongside cultural entrepreneurs to design innovative and sustainable economic models. By setting up income-generating activities and training in management strategies, libraries are re-invented as social and cultural entrepreneurs with major economic benefits for their communities.

MAKAIA is a non-profit organization strengthens capacities for social development through technology, innovation and international cooperation. Our vision is that every person and organization has knowledge and information to increase opportunities to transform themselves and their communities. MAKAIA means "to build" or "make" in Miskito (Indigenous Language from Honduras). The name represents MAKAIAs objective of building alliances and relationships oriented to the social and economic development.

The Randall Museum is a museum of science, nature and the arts as well as a San Francisco Recreation and Park Department community learning center. Our mission is to inspire creativity, curiosity, and a love of learning about the world around us.