Rockwell Automation Surpasses $30 Million in Charitable Support to FIRST With New $2.7 Million Grant

MILWAUKEE, November 1, 2021 /3BL Media/ - Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK) has surpassed $30 million in cash and in-kind product donations to non-profit FIRST^®​ with a new $2.7 million grant that supports global programming for the 2021-2022 season.

FIRST​, a key Rockwell STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education partner since 2006, inspires young people ages 4 to 18 to be science and technology leaders and innovators by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs. Rockwell is one of FIRST’s largest corporate funders with hundreds of Rockwell employees amplifying that support. During the past five years, more than 1,500 employees worldwide have served as coaches, mentors, and volunteers.

“At Rockwell, philanthropy extends beyond financial investments. It’s about people, action, and purpose-driven passion to create transformational change,” said Patricia Contreras, Rockwell’s vice president, Public Affairs. “We target programs and activities that provide all students with equal access to STEM opportunities and the belief that they can aspire to be future makers, creators, and builders—especially young women and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) students.”

FIRST reaches and engages under-represented students through organizations that already serve them including Boys and Girls Clubs, City Year, and Girl Scouts. All of which are organizations Rockwell also supports.

FIRST’s positive impact is well documented. Participants from all backgrounds are twice more likely to show an increase in STEM-related interests and FIRST alumni are more likely to major in STEM fields. Young women in FIRST are more likely to declare a major and take courses in engineering or computer science.

During the 2020-2021 season Rockwell sponsored 117 teams across all FIRST programs. Nearly 200 employees coached, mentored, and volunteered at events including FIRST Canada’s Girls and Allies 2021 STEMathon. This was an engaging, interactive, online gathering for young women in STEM and their allies to problem-solve, collaborate with mentors and industry professionals, develop skills, and open minds to new opportunities.

In China, Rockwell’s Zhongjie Li, competency center manager, served as a judge at the world’s largest FIRST Robotics Competition off-season event held earlier this year in Hangzhou. This marked Rockwell’s first official appearance at a FIRST China event.

“Our growing FIRST relationship is a crucial element of our philanthropic strategy to ensure a skilled workforce, now and in the future—one that reflects the diversity of our customers and partners, regions, and communities,” Contreras said.

Learn more about Rockwell’s STEM education efforts to prepare the workforce of tomorrow.