Our Foundation Friday interviews with clients always lead us down inspiring, interesting paths that make us ponder important issues and the creative ways private foundations are solving complex problems. While connecting with Vivek Gupta, president of the Gupta Charitable Foundation, we were reminded of the incredible opportunity of direct charitable activities (DCAs), where a private non-operating foundation can run its own programs. Keep reading to see how the Gupta Charitable Foundation turned their passion to “spread the love of math” into a powerful program that builds children’s confidence.
About Your Philanthropy
What inspired you to start your foundation?
The desire to build more successful and happier communities through math for younger kids. We started the OneInMath program in 2010 with the goal to spread the love for math amongst young children from kindergarten to third grade. We believed that by removing the anxiety around math, and building confidence in young children, they would be more likely to succeed now and in the future! The program is currently run by over 80+ volunteers and over 400 students go through the program each year. Over 10,000 hours of volunteer time has been devoted by high school students and adults since the program’s inception.
What causes are you most passionate about?
We are passionate about basic math education for young children from kindergarten to third grade. We believe if we can spread the love for math in these young children, the children will be more likely to choose math and science subjects in their middle and high school years.
Some of the reasons for children growing up to fear math are:
1. In schools, there are large classrooms and:
- Teachers have limited time to devote to each student
- Students have to learn at the pace of the class or risk falling behind
- Once a child falls behind, it’s hard to catch up
- Advanced students get bored
2. Parents are unable to help—they lack time, knowledge, discipline, environment, affordability
3. Comparison and pressure to perform creates math anxiety
4. Kids’ preferences get locked in by middle school–they get biased and choose other subjects because they don’t like math
The result is that only 16% of high school students are interested in STEM careers. Government and private institutions spend billions of dollars to promote and encourage STEM choices for middle and high school students, but an early foundation is missing and that is where we can have the most impact! For instance, the Department of Education’s 2020 budget for STEM funding was $578 million alone.
By focusing on math interventions for children in their younger years, we can have a huge economic impact in our communities and country!
Investment in math confidence and proficiency in younger years can benefit society in multiple ways.
1. Reduced remedial education costs. The U.S. spends approximately $1.5 billion each year on remedial math education in college. By improving math education at the elementary level, fewer students would require remedial math courses later in life, leading to potential savings through reduced remedial education costs.A
2. Increased workforce productivity: STEM workers generate an average of $43,612 more in economic output per year than non-STEM workers. This can add $1.2 trillion a year to the U.S. GDP by 2030.B
3. Economic competitiveness: Enhanced math education can improve a country’s economic competitiveness in the global market.C The benefits are huge and cannot be quantified!
Can you tell us about a time when you were able to see the impact of your giving?
Our focus and support for the OneInMath program has had a positive impact on many students, parents and volunteers. Consistently, 99% of the parents said they will recommend the program to others. The program quality has also continued to improve over time with all parents who responded selecting at least one benefit. Increased confidence also consistently scored high.
Here are some testimonials from parents:
“This program helped my daughter’s speed with math improve and helped her learn to do math without drawing pictures.” – Kimberly H. Parent, Spring 2023
“Sharing knowledge with circle back opportunity of system from high school to kindergartners. Really wonderful deed done for community with kids. Unfortunately, due to job transfer, we had to move to a different city, Peoria, IL. I wish if I could franchise this one math I can organize too in Peoria.” – Uma K, Parent, Spring 2023
“As a result of the OneInMath program, my daughter has been selected to participate in the accelerated math program at school. The OneInMath program is structured well, and I give a lot of credit to those who are responsible for conducting these sessions.” – Sanae J. Parent, Spring 2023
“OneinMath is a great program for kids. My son has improved his interest in math and improved his skills with just one season session. The curriculum is very well set up and progresses slowly building confidence towards math.” – Swetha K., Parent, Fall 2020
“My son really struggled in math until he met his tutor, Arthur. I’m very grateful for this program because my son now has more confidence when he does his math homework, and academically I can see a difference.” – Laura S. Parent, Fall 2019
We have been very poor in staying connected with other philanthropists. We hope this blog will help raise awareness of our program and its impact. And we invite others with similar interests to reach out to us so we can work together and have a much bigger impact on our community!
Do you work with other grantors, foundations or nonprofits to drive specific projects forward? If so, how?
Not yet but we would love to work with other grantors and foundations to help spread the love of math and to create a healthier and brighter future for children!
What would you want other philanthropists to know about your work?
We have been working for over 13 years in spreading the OneInMath program at the grassroots level. We bring the community of parents, kids, teens, and public libraries together with the hope to create a better world for our children. We would like to expand and bring the program so every child can benefit, and love math, and become a more confident person now and in the future. If you are looking for opportunities to support a well-executed program and have a large impact, we would love to talk to you.
About Your Foundation
How do you engage your family in your foundation?
The OneInMath program was started by my daughter when she was in high school. It was run by her with support from her brother, her mother and me. As such, our whole family was involved in the program from day one at some time or the other.
Do you have any advice for people looking to start or grow their own private foundation?
I would say choose something that is inherently satisfying and meaningful work that serves others. Also, choose a cause, a vision, a goal, that is larger than your life!
Working with Foundation Source
How does Foundation Source help you achieve your goals?
They help us to focus on what our passion is, and devote time to real work, rather than the mundane legal, governmental requirements. They are also helping us by providing advice and guidance when we have questions around how to run the foundation, how to promote our cause of OneInMath, and bringing in experts in tax and nonprofit entities to advise on various aspects of how to financially and legally organize ourselves.
Can you tell us a little about your experience working with the Foundation Source team?
They have been a pleasure to work with. When we had questions around how to structure our OneInMath program, they brought in experts to help answer our questions about private vs. public foundations, provided us with contacts for public charity resources, reviewed our OneInMath program and provided comments, and are helping to spread the word about OneInMath work among their clients.
How was the process of getting your private foundation set up or transitioned to Foundation Source?
The process was smooth and they held our hands all the way in setting up the foundation. Thank you!
We are proud to support the work of the Gupta Charitable Foundation and thank them for sharing their story!
Want to learn more about the ways we support private foundations?
Looking for an easier way to manage a foundation or want to start a foundation? Our philanthropic specialists are here to help! To learn more, schedule a call with us or reach us at 800-839-0054. Together, let’s #begiving.
We are proud to support the work of the Gupta Charitable Foundation and thank them for sharing their story! To learn more about the OneInMath program, please visit oneinmath.com and reach out if you would like to work together.
