L3Harris Awards Grant to Space Foundation for Education Programming

Written by: Space Foundation Editorial Team

Funds to Support STEM Initiatives 

COLORADO SPRINGS — April 8, 2025 — Space Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1983 to advance the global space community, today announced that L3Harris Technologies has awarded a $75,000 grant during the 40th Space Symposium Opening Ceremonies to inspire the next generation of aerospace leaders worldwide.  

The funding will fuel STEM initiatives under Space Workforce for Tomorrow (SWFT), engaging young space enthusiasts and deepening community ties to these fields. SWFT works to close the national STEM talent gap, highlight career paths, and build a workforce for the growing space industry, from classrooms to boardrooms. 

“We’re deeply grateful to L3Harris for their ongoing support in our mission to inspire, prepare and employ the next generation of space explorers,” said Mel Stricklan, executive director of Space Workforce for Tomorrow. “This critical funding will bolster education programs tailored to inspire STEM interest among youth, enhancing local and regional connections to these essential disciplines.” 

L3Harris contributed a $50,000 grant to host a Space in the Community (SITC) event for Pueblo, Colorado on March 13, 2025, including visits to 10 schools in Pueblo School Districts 60 and 70 and a Community Night at Pueblo Community College. SITC aims to inspire students through hands-on STEM activities, empower teachers with professional development, and engage communities through special events. For Space Foundation’s National Space Day community event on Saturday, May 3, 2025, the company also contributed $25,000 to the National Space Sustainability Competition, which encourages middle school students to tackle the challenges of orbital debris and promote innovative solutions for sustainable space exploration. 

“Over the past decade, L3Harris employees have volunteered thousands of hours, and our company has contributed financially to the Space Foundation and STEM programs,” said Ed Zoiss, President, Space and Airborne Systems, L3Harris. “We’re honored to continue that investment to help inspire and excite our industry’s future workforce.” 

The grant underscores L3Harris’s commitment to advancing aerospace innovation through education, aligning with Space Foundation’s efforts to build a robust space workforce pipeline. 

About Space Symposium 

Space Symposium, created in 1984 by Space Foundation, is the premier assembly of the global space community, bringing together more than 10,000 space professionals, business leaders, and decision-makers. Attendees from more than 40 countries gather in Colorado Springs to form partnerships and explore the latest in space technology. Representing all sectors of the space ecosystem, participants include space agencies, commercial businesses, military organizations, government agencies, R&D facilities, educational institutions, and entrepreneurs. The event also extends its global reach with virtual access through livestream and on-demand programming. Visit Space Symposium at www.spacesymposium.org. 

About Space Foundation  

Space Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1983 as a gateway to unite the global space community and accelerate its growth and success. Space Foundation uniquely educates, collaborates and informs the entire space workforce from early education to college, to the start of their careers as new professionals, and to leaders at the highest levels in government and commercial industry. Driven by partnerships, Space Foundation raises support from corporate members, sponsors, fundraising and grants. Visit Space Foundation at www.SpaceFoundation.org, and follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. 

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Media Contacts: 

Rich Cooper
Vice President, Strategic Communications & Outreach
Space Foundation
(202) 596-0714
[email protected] 

Zakary Watson
Sr. Manager, Media & Public Affairs
Space Foundation | SWFT
[email protected]   

Irene Lockwood
Space and Airborne Systems
L3Harris Technologies
(585) 465-3592
[email protected] 

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