High Tech Rising is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to high-quality STEM education through strategic funding and long-term partnerships.
Since 2001, we have invested in programs that provide engaging, hands-on STEM experiences and help students explore pathways into technology, engineering, and related fields. Through disciplined grantmaking, volunteer leadership, and initiatives such as Oh Snap!, we support learning opportunities that build confidence, technical skills, and sustained interest in STEM.
Our goal is to ensure that girls and young women have the opportunity to pursue STEM careers based on their curiosity, effort, and talent.
Our mission and vision guide our long-term investment in expanding opportunity across the STEM education pipeline.
To invest in the education and development of young women to increase the number who pursue STEM careers.
To achieve equitable representation in the STEM workforce.
We support programs that help students recognize STEM pathways and envision future careers.
We invest in creative, hands-on learning experiences — including initiatives like Oh Snap! — that make STEM engaging and approachable.
Our all-volunteer leadership brings professional STEM experience and long-standing commitment to strengthening access and outcomes.
We steward every dollar responsibly, prioritizing programs with measurable outcomes and lasting benefit.
High Tech Rising operates through regional chapters in North Texas, Silicon Valley, Colorado, and Southeast Texas, allowing us to respond to community needs while maintaining a consistent national mission.
Across our chapters, we:
High Tech Rising prioritizes grants for organizations that:
Inspire students to see themselves as future STEM professionals.
Engage students through hands-on STEM learning experiences.
Educate students and educators through activity-based learning and professional development.
High Tech Rising was founded in 2001 by a group of STEM professionals who shared a vision of expanding participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Thirty women from Texas Instruments made personal contributions to establish a donor-advised fund at the Dallas Women’s Foundation, recognizing that meaningful change would require sustained investment in STEM education.
At a time when few programs existed to support this goal, our founders developed early initiatives of their own, including physics camps for high school students and educator training programs designed to address barriers to STEM participation. These early efforts laid the foundation for our organization’s long-term commitment to expanding opportunity in STEM.
Over more than two decades, High Tech Rising has evolved from a locally funded initiative into a national nonprofit supporting STEM education across multiple regions.
Established through a donor-advised fund created by STEM professionals committed to expanding opportunity in STEM education.
Funding begins for hands-on STEM learning initiatives serving Dallas-area students.
High Tech Rising becomes an independent 501(c)(3), enabling expanded grantmaking and growth.
Launch of our Silicon Valley chapter extends our reach nationally.
Grantmaking surpasses $1 million supporting community-based STEM education.
National STEM indicators introduced to strengthen accountability and outcomes measurement.
New chapters launch in Southeast Texas and Colorado, expanding our national presence.
Launched 800 STEM kits with a $25K grant from Maxar.
Celebrating 25 Years & Our Rebrand to High Tech Rising.
Trust is central to our work. We maintain transparent financial practices and share organizational filings and financial information to demonstrate responsible stewardship of donor resources.
High Tech Rising is led by an all-volunteer national board composed of experienced professionals committed to strengthening STEM opportunities nationwide.
Our work is made possible through collaboration among volunteers, donors, educators, and community partners.
