National Semiconductor Foundation

National Semiconductor is committed to being an asset in our communities worldwide. Through the National Semiconductor Foundation, it is our goal to partner with educational institutions and nonprofit organizations to make a significant impact in addressing education and critical needs in those communities in which we have a major presence.

The National Semiconductor Foundation was established in August 2000 as a charitable fund with the Community Foundation of Silicon Valley, a nonprofit organization that specializes in philanthropy and charitable giving.  The Foundation also matches U.S. employee donations to nonprofit organizations and schools.

Foundation Grants

Learn more about the exciting programs and organizations the Foundation has partnered with to support education and address critical community needs in our communities worldwide.

Foundation Grant Summaries

Contribution Guidelines

The National Semiconductor Foundation will consider supporting organizations and initiatives in which we can make a significant impact in the following three areas:

Higher Education

Primary/Secondary Education

Critical Community Needs

Please click on these focus areas to learn more about our specific guidelines for each.

Restrictions on National Semiconductor Foundation Funding

Grants will not be made to individuals, or for political, sectarian or religious purposes. Athletic teams or programs, membership-based organizations (clubs, fraternal groups, or professional associations) are not eligible for Foundation funding. Requests for advertising or the purchase of tickets to fundraising events will not be considered. Grants will not be made to organizations that discriminate on the basis of age, disability, religion, ethnic origin, gender or sexual orientation. National will not promote or fund any organization whose direct or indirect actions negatively impact the company, the electronic industry or the semiconductor industry.

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Contribution Process

It is the goal of the National Semiconductor Foundation to seek out opportunities in which our support can make a significant difference in the areas of Education and Critical Community Needs. Therefore, the majority of our grants will be distributed through existing programs and new partnerships that we proactively develop with educational institutions and nonprofit organizations. We are working closely with our local staff and philanthropic organizations in our communities around the globe to identify and develop these strategic partnerships. Therefore, the Foundation is not actively soliciting new proposals for funding at this time. 

Contact Information

If you have questions about the National Semiconductor Foundation or the information listed above, feel free to contact us at community.care@nsc.com.

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• Advance the quality of science and engineering education (through curriculum development, innovative instruction methods, hands-on student projects, and infrastructure improvements). 
• Enhance the ability of our academic partners to attract top quality faculty and students to their programs (e.g. fellowships and scholarships). 
• Increase the diversity of high-tech talent by supporting scholarship programs for outstanding students from under-represented groups.

Organization Eligibility - Higher Education
Eligible organizations include private or public universities or colleges with whom National has a strategic partnership.

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• Use innovative curriculum and enhanced teaching methods to increase student interest and acheivement in science & math. 
• Provide encouragement and support to under-represented groups in the study of science, math and technology. 
• Increase the effective integration of the technology in education through curriculum enhancement and professional development with an emphasis on science and math. 
• Reduce issues that impede student learning and acheivement.

Organization Eligibility - Primary/Secondary Education

Eligible organizations include public agencies and nonprofit organizations with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or a as an instrumentality of a federal, state or local government as provided by Section 170(c) 1 of the Code (or the equivalent).  Organizations must be based in one of National's major communities or provide services within those regions.  Priority will be given to those proposals that reach beyond a particular school or district and reach a large number of teachers and students.

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Restrictions on National Semiconductor Foundation Funding

• Grants will not be made to individuals, or for political, sectarian or religious purposes. 
• Requests for advertising or the purchase of tickets to fundraising events will not be considered. 
• The Foundation is unable to fund any organization or event in which tangible items will be provided to the company in return. 
• Grants will not be made to organizations that discriminate on the basis of age, disability, religion, ethnic origin, gender or sexual orientation. 
• National will not promote or fund any organization whose direct or indirect actions negatively impact the company, the electronic industry or the semiconductor industry.