Foundation

Access to technology and engineering for all is our mission

Connecting and strengthening global communities

The TE Connectivity Foundation is the corporate foundation of TE Connectivity and is committed to connecting and strengthening global communities through access to technology and engineering for all, with a focus on women and underserved populations. To accomplish this work, we support three organizations: Girl Up, SMASH and Technovation.

Girl Up

About Girl Up

Girl Up is a girl-centered leadership development initiative, focusing on equity for girls and women in spaces where they are unheard or underrepresented. We believe when girls and women are in positions of influence, they work to create a more just and equitable world for everyone.

Girl Up operates a global network of regional affiliates reaching 195,000 girls in 152 countries. We deliver evidence-based leadership development training through our girl-led Clubs, programs, and events. As members of a global movement, girls are a force for social good — connected to a Community of their peers who are advocating for policy change and advancing gender justice.

Founded in 2010 and hosted by the United Nations Foundation, Girl Up welcomes girls and youth of all gender identities to start a Club and join our movement to advance gender justice worldwide. Together, we are expanding girls’ skills, rights, and opportunities to lead, and changing the face of leadership for generations to come. 

About Our Partnership

TE Connectivity Foundation is a Girl Up Visionary Partner, supporting STEM for Social Good programming, global growth, and online resources for youth to connect, learn about gender justice issues, and build community. Since our partnership began in 2018, TE Connectivity Foundation has impacted over 35,000 youth STEM changemakers, transforming a new generation of leaders in STEM. Girl Up STEM for Social Good programming provides girls with
critical soft and technical STEM-related skills, in conjunction with mentorship
and leadership training, with the goal to close the gender gap in the STEM
fields by inspiring girl-identifying youth to pursue higher education and
careers in the STEM fields.

SMASH
SMASH is a program of the Level Playing Field Institute committed to providing access to technology and engineering for underserved students through a free, multi-summer program focused on learning STEM concepts. The program currently operates in several regions in the U.S. The TE Connectivity Foundation grant helps SMASH to run their summer academies and create an alumni network to help ensure ongoing support for those who have completed the program. This will increase the likelihood that these students will go on to pursue STEM careers.
Technovation
Technovation equips young women (ages 8-18) to become tech entrepreneurs and leaders. With the support of volunteer mentors and parents, girls work in teams to code mobile apps that address real-world problems. The TE Connectivity Foundation partnership supports this program worldwide, which includes more than 20,000 girls in 60+ countries.