About Society of Manufacturing Engineers
SME advances manufacturing by inspiring, preparing, and supporting the next generation of manufacturing and engineering talent through education, workforce development, training, and scholarship programs.
Focus Areas
scholarshipsK-12 manufacturing educationtechnical certification and trainingstudent summits and eventsindustry workforce developmentSTEM access and inclusion
Who They Fund
students (prospective manufacturing entrants)incumbent and early-career manufacturing workers / techniciansmanufacturing employers and industry stakeholders (via events/publications)
Funding Style
workforce development
About Society of Manufacturing Engineers
Society of Manufacturing Engineers' recent grantmaking is anchored by six- and seven-figure support for manufacturing education, with three large awards to SME Education Foundation in consecutive years: $1,904,707 in 2024, $1,895,307 in 2025, and $1,154,814 in 2023. That pattern points to a funder that works through education infrastructure rather than one-off gifts. The foundation’s stated purpose is to advance manufacturing by inspiring, preparing, and supporting the next generation of manufacturing and engineering talent through education, workforce development, training, and scholarship programs. Its active programs show that approach in practice. SME Education Foundation Scholarships support graduating high school seniors and current college students with merit- and need-based awards that can renew or be one-time only. SME PRIME® partnerships bring industry and academia together to build custom high school manufacturing and engineering programs, including equipment, curriculum, teacher training, student scholarships, and funding for extracurricular activities and program sustainability. The foundation also supports student competitions and the Bright Minds Student Summit, where winning teams are recognized during SME events.
What Society of Manufacturing Engineers Funds
Scholarships are a core part of the foundation’s work. The SME Education Foundation Scholarships program awards millions of dollars to graduating high school seniors and current college students, with awards ranging from $2,500 to $20,000. K-12 manufacturing education is another major theme. Through SME PRIME®, the foundation helps high schools build custom manufacturing and engineering programs with equipment, curriculum, teacher training, student scholarships, and support for extracurricular activities. The foundation also backs student competitions and public recognition. Its Bright Minds Student Summit program showcases student teams and awards winning projects at SME events. In inclusion-focused work, the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation & SME Education Foundation Scholarship for Neurodiverse Students supports neurodiverse students pursuing manufacturing-related education and careers.
How Society of Manufacturing Engineers Gives
The typical grant size is large: the 25th percentile is $1,342,287, the median is $1,529,760, and the 75th percentile is $1,717,234. The recent record also shows repeated support to the same grantee over multiple years, with SME Education Foundation receiving grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Society of Manufacturing Engineers is a regular funder, not a donor-advised fund, and it does not make program-related investments. The available program descriptions show that some awards are unsolicited, including scholarships and SME PRIME® partnerships.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$1.9M
Total Assets
$80.9M
Total Revenue
$65.8M
Total Expenses
$74.2M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $1.3M and $1.7M, with a median of $1.5M.
25th Percentile
$1.3M
Median
$1.5M
75th Percentile
$1.7M
Geographic Reach
Regional2 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
ROBERT WILLIG
Accepts unsolicited proposals
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