Case Study
Science Spark’s pivot to virtual events catalyzed by COVID-19 relief funding
ServiceEconomic Incentive Consulting
Encinitas-based Science Spark is a non-profit organization that provides educational resources and inspiration to K-12 students, exciting them about science and science-related careers. Running on the motivation to inspire, the group’s mission is to stimulate and sustain the interest of our nation’s youth in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)—by producing and presenting the USA Science and Engineering Festival as an open forum to showcase all facets of STEM.
COMPANY
CHALLENGE
Due to COVID-19 restrictions on in-person events, Science Spark’s annual festival had to be cancelled. With restrictions ongoing for the foreseeable future, Science Spark needed to find a way to continue to reach its youth audience in a virtual environment—but the nonprofit’s reduced cash flow limited its options.
EDC SOLUTION AND SUPPORT PROVIDED
Through the Export Specialty SBDC, World Trade Center San Diego (WTCSD) helped Science Spark find COVID-19 relief programs that would enable the business to stay afloat and retool its current offerings.
After taking advantage of WTCSD’s no-cost business consulting and application assistance, Science Spark applied to receive a San Diego County COVID-19 Relief Grant.
VALUE DERIVED
Thanks to WTCSD’s support, Science Spark received a $10,000 San Diego County COVID-19 Relief Grant.
The relief grant not only gave Science Spark the runway and funding it needed to pivot its programs online, but its new virtual programs allowed the nonprofit to dramatically expand its reach beyond primarily the DC-Maryland-Virginia area to serve youth in 50 states and 99 countries.
“The Export Center SBDC at WTCSD pointed us in the direction of a valuable $10,000 grant and some information to help us through the application process. We are grateful that organizations like WTCSD are supporting small non-profits like ours—so we can continue to showcase the value of careers in STEM to the workforce of tomorrow.”
—Diane Bock, Board Chair, Science Spark
CONNECT WITH SCIENCE SPARK
- Website: usasciencefestival.org
- Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram