Engineers' Foundation of Kansas (EFK)

Goal: $10,000.00

Specific Need

ATTACHMENT 1: Summary of EFK Program Needs

STEM PROGRAMS

Future City Competition Estimated Financial Need

The annual budget of the Future City Great Plains Regional Competition (GPRC) exceeds $10,000. EFK receives an annual request for $2,000 but is only able to provide $500. An EFK endowed fund of $50,000 is needed to meet the current request. An EFK endowed fund of $1M would support all GPRC competition needs and allow for expanded support of K-12 classroom teachers.

MATHCOUNTS Estimated Financial Need

The annual budget of the Kansas MATHCOUNTS Competition (Chapter & State) is approximately $10,000. EFK receives an annual request for $1,000. An EFK endowed fund of $25,000 is needed to meet the current request. An EFK endowed fund of $250,000 would support Kansas MATHCOUNTS competition needs and a portion of director travel expenses to the national competition.

FIRST Estimated Financial Need

EFK periodically receives FIRST team requests for financial support. To date, EFK has declined to support any teams or the FIRST program due to limited funds. An EFK endowed fund of $100,000 would generate approximately $4,000 annual support and provide an opportunity to promote licensed professional engineering to hundreds of students, teachers, and parents across Kansas.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Estimated Financial Need

EFK has not received requests for PLTW financial support. However, PLTW programs are of strong interest to many engineers in Kansas and an EFK endowed fund of $100,000 would generate approximately $4,000 annual support and provide an opportunity to promote licensed professional engineering to hundreds of Kansas students, teachers, and parents.

Bridge Building Contest Estimated Financial Need

The annual budget of the East Kansas Bridge Building Contest is approximately $500. EFK has not received a request for funding but recognizes that other high school students across the state might participate if the contest was broadly advertised and supported. An EFK endowed fund of $25,000 would support East Kansas and provide for expanded contests across the State. EFK support would provide opportunities to promote engineering careers and the importance of licensure.

Science Olympiad Estimated Financial Need

The annual budget of the Science Olympiad state tournament is estimated to exceed $20,000. EFK has not received a request for funding but recognizes an opportunity to promote engineering careers to students, teachers, and parents across the state by providing significant financial support. An EFK endowed fund of $100,000 would provide approximately $4,000 annual support.

Kansas Odyssey of the Mind (KOM) Estimated Financial Need

The annual budget of the KOM state tournament is estimated to be $10,000. EFK has not received a request for KOM funding but recognizes an opportunity to promote engineering careers and licensure to students, teachers, and parents across the state by providing significant financial support. An EFK endowed fund of $100,000 would provide approximately $4,000 annual support. An EFK endowed fund of $250,000 would provide 90% of Kansas OM state competition needs.

Kansas BEST Estimated Financial Need

The annual budget of the Kansas BEST Regional Tournament is estimated to be $10,000. EFK has not received a request for BEST funding but may have an opportunity to support WSU in promoting engineering careers and licensure to students, teachers, and parents across the state by providing financial support. Kansas BEST Sponsors are encouraged to contact the WSU Foundation. An EFK endowed fund of $50,000 would provide approximately $2,000 annual support.

Engineering Licensure Promotion and Support

FE Exam Support Estimated Financial Need

EFK recognizes an important opportunity to promote engineering licensure to more than 1000 engineering graduates annually by providing significant financial support. An EFK endowed fund of $400,000 would provide an annual fund of approximately $5,000 each for KU, K-State and WSU to pay exam fees, provide practice exam sessions and study materials, provide test site equipment, and otherwise promote the FE exam.

PE Exam Support Estimated Financial Need

EFK recognizes an important opportunity to promote engineering licensure to Kansas practicing professionals. An EFK endowed fund of $100,000 would provide an annual fund of approximately $4,000 to pay for lunches at exam sites, co-sponsor recognition ceremonies, to sponsor practice exam sessions, provide study materials, and otherwise promote the PE Exam.

Economic/Workforce Development

Economic / Workforce Development Estimated Financial Need

The need for educating legislative members and the general public on future engineering and engineering licensure issues will be an ongoing concern. An EFK endowed fund of $500,000 would provide approximately $20,000 per year and funding for one major study every two years. Endowed funds of more than $1M will be needed long term.

SUMMARY: Estimated Needs of Programs supported by EFK.

A summary of needs of programs supported by EFK is contained in Attachment 1.

Estimated financial needs are summarized below:

                                                                                Endowed Funds                                Annual Funding

• STEM Competitions                                     $775,000                                                $32,000        
• Engineering Licensure                                  500,000                                                  20,000
• Workforce Development                            500,000                                                  20,000

                Total Estimated Need                    $1,775,000                                               $72,000

Mission

WHY SUPPORT EFK?

The Engineers’ Foundation of Kansas (EFK) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that advances the engineering profession and its importance of impacting the quality of life in our community.

We support the educational and ethical practice needs of engineering students, engineering educators and practicing professionals.

EFK is committed to:

• Expanding public awareness, understanding and appreciation of the important role of engineers in improving quality of life.
• Funding research which impacts public safety and effective use of public dollars being spent on economic and workforce  development.
• Supporting and enhancing engineering education, STEM and related programs to increase the number of students who pursue engineering careers.
• Advancing the quality of engineering professionals and promoting the importance of engineering licensure.
• Promoting awards and recognition of engineers with distinguished careers and ties to Kansas to enhance the image and stature of the engineering profession.
• Demonstrating the diverse face of engineering.

Profile

EFK RECOGNITION PROGRAM

The EFK recognition program is focused on engineers with ties to Kansas, whose careers have distinguished them as being among the very highest contributors to the field of engineering. In addition to providing recognition for distinguished engineers, this recognition program is designed to increase financial support of programs undertaken by the EFK.

EFK funds will be used to build an “permanent” endowment – proceeds from fund investments to be used to support EFK projects.

MATHCOUNTS is EFK's first funding priority.

The nationwide MATHCOUNTS program is designed to increase 6 to 8th grade students’ interest and ability in mathematics and to heighten awareness of the importance of math.

MATHCOUNTS coaching, competition and peer recognition at the chapter, state and national levels helps students develop skills that are the basis of success in our technological world. Regional competitions are held in Manhattan / Salina, Topeka, Overland Park, Wichita, and other locations in Kansas.

The state-wide competition was named after Don & Lynne Rathbone on March 19, 2021 for their significant impact on engineering & STEM nationally and in the State of Kansas. Donald E. Rathbone, Ph.D., P.E., is Dean Emeritus, Carl R. Ice College of Engineering, Kansas State University.

The Rathbone recognition ceremony is at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V8me-nJMBY