Post Foundation — board approval blurb (1 page)¶
For: Apex STEM Education board / grant lead / treasurer
Date: 2026-09-17
Status: Submitted 2026-09-16 (historical approval blurb retained)
Ask: $10,000 application
Budget basis: 2025–26 team actuals + 2026–27 Parent Supply Wishlist goals (7 students)
What this is¶
The John A. and Margaret Post Foundation (via Wells Fargo Philanthropic Services) funds education and community programs. We are asking for $10,000 for the 2026–27 STEM Racing season under Apex STEM Education Inc.
Portal: Post Foundation → Start your application
Full draft: draft.md
Source figures: Parent_Supply_Wishlist_2026-27.md
Why apply now¶
- We are a confirmed NJ 501(c)(3) (EIN 42-3121570; IRS determination effective 2026-06-16).
- Nonprofit bank account opened September 2026 + Zeffy donation platform live — money packet is complete and operational.
- Ask is anchored in last year’s paid costs and a concrete 2026–27 season budget — not vague “general support.”
- Proof points: 3rd place Nationals 2026, Sustainability + Team Identity awards, NJ State Champions 2025.
- Geography note (honest): funder priority is northwest NJ / northeast PA; we are Watchung Hills / Somerset–Union. Draft acknowledges that and emphasizes NJ youth STEM benefit.
Prior year vs this year (season supplies)¶
Figures from the 2025–26 STEM Racing budget (actuals paid) and the 2026–27 wishlist (7 members, ~10–15% inflation where needed). Laptops excluded — covered in-kind by MR TECH.
| Category | 2025–26 actual | 2026–27 goal | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Competition entry (membership + Regionals + Nationals ×7) | ≈ $2,900 | $2,900 | Membership $150→$175; Regionals $275→$300; Nationals ≈$2,475→$2,425 |
| Car materials & testing | $660 | $735 | Parts, CO₂, filament, wind tunnel |
| Team apparel (jerseys ×2 + hoodies) | $1,147 | $1,170 | Scaled for 7 members |
| Pit display & branding | $680 | $710 | Fabric, supplies, stickers |
| Shipping / transport buffer | $20 | $225 | Regionals ship + Nationals pit/car buffer |
| Season contingency (~10%) | — | $575 | Reprints, last-minute parts |
| Season supply subtotal | ≈ $5,407 | ≈ $6,315 | ≈ $900/student if family-funded alone |
Not in season supply (and not in this grant): family flights/hotels, adult guest tickets, team dinners, LLC fees, payment-platform fees, Freedcamp (sponsor), laptops (MR TECH).
Proposed grant budget ($10,000)¶
Grant covers the full 2026–27 season supply need (~$6,315) plus need-based student access and a small contingency so participation does not depend only on household ability to pay.
| Grant line | Amount | Built from 2026–27 goals |
|---|---|---|
| Competition fees & registration | $2,900 | Membership $175 + Regionals $300 + Nationals (7) $2,425 |
| Materials, testing & fabrication | $735 | Official parts $200 + CO₂ $110 + filament $350 + wind tunnel $75 |
| Team apparel | $1,170 | Season jerseys $350 + Nationals jerseys $420 + hoodies $400 |
| Pit display, branding & portfolios | $1,000 | Pit fabric/supplies/stickers $710 + portfolio/print buffer $290 |
| Shipping & logistics | $225 | Regionals car ship $25 + Nationals transport buffer $200 |
| Student access (fee / travel aid scholarships) | $2,500 | Need-based; no student PII in public reports |
| Contingency | $470 | Aligns with ~wishlist buffer; unforeseen materials/shipping |
| Total ask | $10,000 |
How to read this: ~$6,315 keeps the cars, entry fees, apparel, and pit ready; $2,500 is access support; $470 is contingency. Parent donations and team sponsors remain welcome and reduce draw on the grant where received.
What board / treasurer must confirm¶
- Go / edit on narrative + budget (no invented stats).
- Treasurer: W-9, determination letter, bank payable path ready in Drive.
- Assign one submitter; save portal confirmation to Drive
Apex STEM Education/Grants/. - No student names or home addresses in the upload.
Vote wording (suggested)¶
Approve submission of a $10,000 application to the John A. and Margaret Post Foundation for 2026–27 STEM Racing program support, as drafted, with treasurer confirming the money packet before submit.
Yes / No / Yes with edits: ___
Date: ___
Pipeline note (after this)¶
AAUW 2026 LOI skipped (1 of 7 students is a girl — weak fit for girls-in-STEM framing). Next watches: State Farm (Oct window), Honda (fall education cycle). Colocation America STEM Grant looks eligible on paper but mandatory July 2026 Lunch & Learn sessions appear to have passed — confirm with funder before drafting.