The.Circuit EPA

Founded in 2021 with a $700K budget and 5 employees, The.Circuit EPA (The Circuit) is embedded in Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle School in East Palo Alto and provides hands-on, tech-based, innovative programs to equip students with the tools and education to succeed in a rapidly evolving tech world. Through dynamic STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) programs, The Circuit empowers the next generation of creators and leaders, building a foundation for their impact in Silicon Valley and beyond. 

These programs introduce students to real-world of technology applications (e.g. game design, esports, and immersive learning via the middle school’s 8 to 80 Zone that Steve Young and Jerry Rice helped launch) during and after school. Its Career Pathways program offers field trips to expose them to tech careers. The Circuit also plays an important role in the classroom by supporting teachers in bringing innovation into their core subjects to broaden and deepen student learning.

Issue

How does The Circuit evolve its revenue model to build on and sustainably expand its first year’s successes of programs providing tech knowledge and hands-on experiences to middle schoolers who can develop the skill set for future Silicon Valley careers? 

Situation

The Circuit’s funding declined this past year compared to its initial startup year largely because it had one early lead donor who provided a significant startup gift that represented about one-third of its total revenue. While The Circuit anticipates continued support from this donor, it will be at a reduced level going forward, which creates a funding gap. Replacing that level of investment from a single donor has been difficult, especially for a lean organization with limited fundraising infrastructure and a new executive director still building relationships.

Philanthropy for educational organizations skews to elementary school and high school, which adds another challenge given The Circuit’s current focus of middle school. The leadership team believes that the programming is replicable at other schools including high schools and that in the long term its programs could be an earned revenue source in more affluent communities.  The organization’s near-term priority is moving from initial startup funding to a more typical nonprofit fundraising cycle and needs to stabilize and diversify its revenue to support ongoing operations. 

Project

The Circuit seeks assistance in developing a fundraising strategy to expand financial partnerships. The plan would focus on establishing consistent support from corporations, foundations, and high net worth individuals. The ED, Development Lead, and Board need a framework for identifying and strategically targeting prospective donors within and beyond East Palo Alto & East Menlo Park. While The Circuit is clear about the impact on students of its unique tech-based curriculum and about the benefit to Bay Area companies of investing in their future labor market, an assessment of the success metrics to track and share would enhance the messaging.