Partner Guide
Support Our Work
Inspiring students to innovate and problem-solve begins with the people who make it possible: YOU!
The Illinois Student Invention Convention only succeeds with the support of its partners. If you believe in empowering the next generation of problem-solvers through immersive, project-based invention education, there are many ways you can get involved.
JUMP TO:
Sponsorship
As we expand statewide, we seek the support of sponsors to ensure that the program and competition opportunities remain free and accessible to those who need it most.
The Illinois Student Invention Convention, an annual program of Chicago Innovation, offers a powerful approach to prepare K-8th graders today with the innovative skills they will need tomorrow to succeed in life and work in the 21st century.
Educators facilitate the invention process through a curriculum designed to foster critical thinking and innovation. Students research and create invention prototypes that solve problems they face in their own lives.
Ways to sponsor:
If you are interested in any of these or know of people or grants we should get connected to, please reach out to us here.
Corporate Sponsorships
Significant recognition is always provided and employees of our sponsors have many opportunities to volunteer.
Individual Donations
All donations are fully tax deductible. Remember to check with your employer to see if they have a matching gift program.
Grants
We welcome the opportunity to submit requests for grant funding towards a specific educational initiative. If you know of an opportunity that we should consider, please click the button below.
Educational Partnerships
Educational partners offer opportunities to deepen teacher and student learning during the program year or at our culminating in-person event.
Examples:
Educator workshops that focus on STEM, innovation, or entrepreneurial skills that could be incorporated into the invention process
Student workshops that teach students how to incorporate coding, app development, or other STEM related skills into their invention process
If your organization already provides STEM, innovation, or entrepreneurial programming, partner with us to create an invention capstone project, so that your students can participate in our annual competition.
In-Kind Donations
In-kind donations provide additional resources for the prototyping process, and they help us celebrate our students by providing prizes that expand learning beyond the classroom!
Commonly used supplies for prototyping:
Cardboard
Glue Guns & Glue Sticks
Clay
Clear Packing Tape
Construction Paper
Scissors
Popsicle Sticks
In-kind prize donations examples:
STEM/STEAM educational toys
Scholarships to summer camps or workshops focused on STEM, invention, or entrepreneurship
Museum passes
Other tools our sites could benefit from:
Microcontrollers
3D printers and printing materials
Coding and other STEM kits