The James Dyson Foundation North America concentrates on supporting hands-on STEM and engineering education for youth, often funding organizations that run maker, prototyping, or innovation programs, while also contributing to children's health fundraising and community volunteer initiatives. Their giving combines several substantive gifts to established STEM education partners with many small donations, match-funding, and in‑kind machine donations tied to employee-driven fundraising and award programs. Grants appear both locally (Chicago-area institutions) and nationally to university engineering showcases and youth-focused makerspaces.
James Dyson Foundation North America’s largest recent grant was a $60,030 donation to Project Exploration in Chicago, tied to an end-of-year fire sale and match-funding from the US James Dyson Foundation. That pattern captures how the foundation gives: it supports hands-on STEM and engineering education, but also uses machine donations, match funding, and event-linked gifts to help local charities raise money. The foundation’s recent record includes repeated support for Chicago-based education and health organizations. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital received funding for a radiothon 5K and later for family services programs for patients and caregivers, showing that pediatric health support is part of the portfolio alongside STEM education. The foundation also funds youth maker and prototyping work, including grants to MakerGirl and the University of Illinois engineering showcase fund. Its giving is not limited to one format. Some grants are direct cash gifts, some are prizes for young innovators, and some are machine donations provided to nonprofits for silent auctions. The result is a portfolio centered on practical STEM access, local charitable fundraising, and selected medical and scientific support.
In K–12 STEM and maker education, the foundation gave $2,500 to MakerGirl for school projects and $1,000 to Chicago Mobile Makers for educational resources. It also funded air quality kit donations to various schools, indicating support for classroom-ready science and engineering tools. University-level prototyping appears as another clear strand. The University of Illinois received $2,500 for its engineering showcase fund, and New Engineering Education Transformation at MIT received $5,000 to support student prototyping in the NEET department. The foundation also backs youth innovation prizes. Various award winners received $5,000 in one-time grants from the Young Innovators program at Infinity Math, Science and Technology. On the community side, Friends of Goethe School received $1,399 for an elementary school fundraiser, linking local fundraising to the foundation’s small-donation approach.
Typical grants are small: the 25th percentile is $2,500, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $13,526. The distribution includes a few much larger event- and match-funded gifts, but most awards cluster at modest levels. The pattern is recurring rather than one-off. Project Exploration appears in more than one year, as do Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital and various match-funding entries. The foundation operates as a regular funder, and the recent grants show both direct charitable support and in-kind machine donations. Unsolicited applications are accepted through charitable support and machine-request routes.
$205K
$0
$10K
$15K
Most grants fall between $3K and $14K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$14K
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A mix of concentrated medium-sized grants to core STEM education and pediatric health recipients plus many small donations, match grants, and regular in-kind equipment gifts; repeat support for a few partners alongside broad, distributed community/employee-driven giving.
Notable grantees: Project Exploration, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, MakerGirl, University of Illinois (Engineering Showcase), New Engineering Education Transformation (MIT NEET)
Giving is highly concentrated in Illinois: 91% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the top state by grant count is IL. Chicago is the main recipient city, with multiple grants to Chicago-based nonprofits, schools, and hospitals. Outside Chicago, the foundation also gives in Illinois to Urbana through the University of Illinois. The broader recipient footprint in the recent grants is entirely U.S.-based, with 22 grants in the United States.
The recent grants point to hands-on STEM and engineering education, especially school maker projects, engineering showcases, and prototyping support. The foundation also funds pediatric health fundraising, local community nonprofits, and employee match-funding for charitable causes.
Typical grant sizes are modest. The 25th percentile is $2,500, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $13,526. The recent record also includes larger, event-linked gifts such as a $60,030 donation and multiple smaller grants around $1,000 to $2,500.
Yes. Recent grants include machine donations to various 501(c)(3) charities for silent auctions, and the program descriptions say the foundation donates Dyson machines for fundraising purposes alongside small financial gifts.
They are mostly local. Illinois is the top state by grant count, and 91% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Chicago recipients appear throughout the recent grants, with a smaller number of awards elsewhere in Illinois.
Yes. The program information says the foundation accepts unsolicited requests through charitable support and machine-request routes. Those routes prioritize engineering education and medical or scientific research, with preference given to organizations near Dyson’s U.S. headquarters in Chicago and other U.S. Dyson offices.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from James Dyson Foundation North America that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Local Chicago schools and nonprofits that support STEM and engineering education. Priority to organisations near Dyson North American offices.
Deadline: Applications should be submitted at least two months before requested delivery / event dates.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VARIOUS AWARD WINNERS - NAME & ADDRESS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST | CHICAGO, IL | $39,608 | 2025 | DONATIONS TO VARIOUS CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS |
| VARIOUS MACHINE DONATION - NAMES & ADDRESSES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST | CHICAGO, IL | $37,289 | 2025 | MACHINES DONATED MONTHLY TO VARIOUS 501(C)(3) CHARITIES TO RAISE FUNDS VIA SILENT AUCTIONS. THE CHAR |
| ENVISION EXCELLENCE IN STEM EDUCATION | MENTOR, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO COVER CHICAGO STEM ECOSYSTEM EDUCATION TRAINING |
| ANN & ROBERT H LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | CHICAGO, IL | $22,600 | 2025 | DONATION TO SUPPORT FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAMS FOR PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS |
| VARIOUS LOCAL NON PROFITS - NAME & ADDRESSES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST | CHICAGO, IL | $19,987 | 2025 | VARIOUS SMALL DONATIONS TO LOCAL NON PROFITS, MATCHING FUNDS RAISED BY DYSON PEOPLE |
| ANN & ROBERT H LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | CHICAGO, IL | $12,711 | 2025 | DONATION TO SUPPORT FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAMS FOR PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS |
| CHILDREN FIRST FUND | CHICAGO, IL | $10,600 | 2025 | DONATION TO COVER CHICAGO STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2024 |
| AMUNDSEN HIGH SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO COVER 2024 DESIGN SUPPLIES FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS |
| WORLDEDUCAT - EDUCANDO | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO COVER EDUCATOR TRAININGS ON STEM RESOURCES |
| VARIOUS MATCHFUNDING - NAMES & ADDRESSES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST | CHICAGO, IL | $6,675 | 2025 | DONATIONS MADE ON BEHALF OF FOUNDATION TO LOCAL NON PROFITS DUE TO DYSON PEOPLE'S FUNDRAISING |
| PROJECT SYNCERE SUPPORT EPG24 | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO COVER 2024 ENGINEERING COMPETITION AND ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY FOR STUDENTS |
| VARIOUS LOCAL NON PROFITS - NAME & ADDRESSES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST | CHICAGO, IL | $2,524 | 2025 | VARIOUS SMALL DONATIONS TO LOCAL NON PROFITS, MATCHING FUNDS RAISED BY DYSON PEOPLE |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500 | 2025 | DONATION TO COVER RESEARCHER PROGRAM |
| CHICAGO KIDZ | OAK PARK, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | DONATION TO COVER LOCAL CHICAGO ORGANIZATION'S COMMUNITY EDUCATORS |
| VARIOUS MACHINE DONATION - NAMES & ADDRESSES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST | CHICAGO, IL | $23,678 | 2024 | MACHINES DONATED MONTHLY TO VARIOUS 501(C)(3) CHARITIES TO RAISE FUNDS VIA SILENT AUCTIONS. THE CHAR |
| ANN & ROBERT H LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | CHICAGO, IL | $23,550 | 2024 | LURIE'S CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL RADIO-THON SUPPORT 5K |
| PROJECT EXPLORATION | CHICAGO, IL | $15,069 | 2024 | DONATION, END OF YEAR FIRE SALE + MATCH-FUNDING FROM THE US JAMES DYSON FOUNDATION |
| VARIOUS MATCHFUNDING - NAMES & ADDRESSES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST | CHICAGO, IL | $13,798 | 2024 | MATCH FUNDING FOR VARIOUS INDIVIDUALS |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2024 | DONATION TO AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY |
| VARIOUS AWARD WINNERS - NAME & ADDRESS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST | CHICAGO, IL | $2,619 | 2024 | DONATIONS TO VARIOUS CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS |
| MAKERGIRL | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500 | 2024 | DONATION TO SUPPORT MAKERGIRL SCHOOL PROJECTS |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS | URBANA, IL | $2,500 | 2024 | DONATION TO UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS ENGINEERING SHOWCASE FUND |
| PROJECT EXPLORATION | CHICAGO, IL | $60,030 | 2023 | DONATION, END OF YEAR FIRE SALE + MATCH-FUNDING FROM THE US JAMES DYSON FOUNDATION |
| VARIOUS SCHOOL DONATIONS - NAME & ADDRESSES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST | CHICAGO, IL | $21,722 | 2023 | AIR QUALITY KIT DONATIONS |
| ANN & ROBERT H LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2023 | LURIE'S CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL RADIO-THON SUPPORT 5K |
| NOURISHING HOPE | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2023 | DONATION FOR AMERICAS DAY OF SERVICE TO MATCH FUND VOLUNTEER HOURS |
| NEW ENGINEERING EDUCATION TRANSFORMATION | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $5,000 | 2023 | MIT SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING TO SUPPORT THEIR STUDENTS PROTOTYPING IN THE NEET DEPARTMENT |
| VARIOUS AWARD WINNERS - NAME ADDRES | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2023 | ONE-TIME GRANTS TO WINNERS OF THE YOUNG INNOVATORS PROGRAM FROM INFINITY MATH, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY |
| VARIOUS MACHINE DONATION - NAMES & ADDRESSES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST | CHICAGO, IL | $3,937 | 2023 | MACHINES DONATED MONTHLY TO VARIOUS 501(C)(3) CHARITIES TO RAISE FUNDS VIA SILENT AUCTIONS. THE CHAR |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS | URBANA, IL | $2,500 | 2023 | DONATION TO UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS ENGINEERING SHOWCASE FUND |
| VARIOUS MATCHFUNDING - NAMES & ADDRESSES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST | CHICAGO, IL | $2,264 | 2023 | MATCH FUNDING FOR VARIOUS INDIVIDUALS |
| FRIENDS OF GOETHE SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $1,399 | 2023 | GOETHE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FUNDRAISER |
| MOVEMBER FOUNDATION | SANTA MONICA, CA | $1,063 | 2023 | MOVEMBER MATCH FUNDING |
| CHICAGO MOBILE MAKERS | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2023 | CHICAGO MOBILE MAKERS DONATION FOR EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES |
VARIOUS AWARD WINNERS - NAME & ADDRESS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
$39,608DONATIONS TO VARIOUS CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS
VARIOUS MACHINE DONATION - NAMES & ADDRESSES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
$37,289MACHINES DONATED MONTHLY TO VARIOUS 501(C)(3) CHARITIES TO RAISE FUNDS VIA SILENT AUCTIONS. THE CHAR
DONATION TO COVER CHICAGO STEM ECOSYSTEM EDUCATION TRAINING
ANN & ROBERT H LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
$22,600DONATION TO SUPPORT FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAMS FOR PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS
VARIOUS LOCAL NON PROFITS - NAME & ADDRESSES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
$19,987VARIOUS SMALL DONATIONS TO LOCAL NON PROFITS, MATCHING FUNDS RAISED BY DYSON PEOPLE
ANN & ROBERT H LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
$12,711DONATION TO SUPPORT FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAMS FOR PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS
AMUNDSEN HIGH SCHOOL
$10,000DONATION TO COVER 2024 DESIGN SUPPLIES FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
WORLDEDUCAT - EDUCANDO
$10,000DONATION TO COVER EDUCATOR TRAININGS ON STEM RESOURCES
VARIOUS MATCHFUNDING - NAMES & ADDRESSES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
$6,675DONATIONS MADE ON BEHALF OF FOUNDATION TO LOCAL NON PROFITS DUE TO DYSON PEOPLE'S FUNDRAISING
PROJECT SYNCERE SUPPORT EPG24
$5,000DONATION TO COVER 2024 ENGINEERING COMPETITION AND ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY FOR STUDENTS
VARIOUS LOCAL NON PROFITS - NAME & ADDRESSES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
$2,524VARIOUS SMALL DONATIONS TO LOCAL NON PROFITS, MATCHING FUNDS RAISED BY DYSON PEOPLE
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
$2,500DONATION TO COVER RESEARCHER PROGRAM
CHICAGO KIDZ
$1,000DONATION TO COVER LOCAL CHICAGO ORGANIZATION'S COMMUNITY EDUCATORS
VARIOUS MACHINE DONATION - NAMES & ADDRESSES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
$23,678MACHINES DONATED MONTHLY TO VARIOUS 501(C)(3) CHARITIES TO RAISE FUNDS VIA SILENT AUCTIONS. THE CHAR
ANN & ROBERT H LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
$23,550LURIE'S CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL RADIO-THON SUPPORT 5K
DONATION, END OF YEAR FIRE SALE + MATCH-FUNDING FROM THE US JAMES DYSON FOUNDATION
VARIOUS MATCHFUNDING - NAMES & ADDRESSES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
$13,798MATCH FUNDING FOR VARIOUS INDIVIDUALS
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
$5,000DONATION TO AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
VARIOUS AWARD WINNERS - NAME & ADDRESS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
$2,619DONATIONS TO VARIOUS CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS
MAKERGIRL
$2,500DONATION TO SUPPORT MAKERGIRL SCHOOL PROJECTS
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
$2,500DONATION TO UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS ENGINEERING SHOWCASE FUND
DONATION, END OF YEAR FIRE SALE + MATCH-FUNDING FROM THE US JAMES DYSON FOUNDATION
VARIOUS SCHOOL DONATIONS - NAME & ADDRESSES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
$21,722AIR QUALITY KIT DONATIONS
LURIE'S CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL RADIO-THON SUPPORT 5K
DONATION FOR AMERICAS DAY OF SERVICE TO MATCH FUND VOLUNTEER HOURS
NEW ENGINEERING EDUCATION TRANSFORMATION
$5,000MIT SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING TO SUPPORT THEIR STUDENTS PROTOTYPING IN THE NEET DEPARTMENT
VARIOUS AWARD WINNERS - NAME ADDRES
$5,000ONE-TIME GRANTS TO WINNERS OF THE YOUNG INNOVATORS PROGRAM FROM INFINITY MATH, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
VARIOUS MACHINE DONATION - NAMES & ADDRESSES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
$3,937MACHINES DONATED MONTHLY TO VARIOUS 501(C)(3) CHARITIES TO RAISE FUNDS VIA SILENT AUCTIONS. THE CHAR
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
$2,500DONATION TO UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS ENGINEERING SHOWCASE FUND
VARIOUS MATCHFUNDING - NAMES & ADDRESSES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
$2,264MATCH FUNDING FOR VARIOUS INDIVIDUALS
FRIENDS OF GOETHE SCHOOL
$1,399GOETHE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FUNDRAISER
CHICAGO MOBILE MAKERS
$1,000CHICAGO MOBILE MAKERS DONATION FOR EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES