Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation

What Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation does

The Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation (CGIF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational foundation established in 2014 by The American Ceramic Society (ACerS) and headquartered in Westerville, Ohio. Its mission is to attract, inspire, and support the next generation of ceramic and glass professionals through K-12 education, undergraduate and graduate student development, and industry pipeline programs. The foundation operates with a small staff of 5 (Director of Development, Program Manager, Program Assistant) supported by a board of 18+ trustees drawn from major industry players including Corning, Saint-Gobain, Boeing, GE Aerospace, Owens Corning, Imerys, and RHI Magnesita.

CGIF's core product portfolio is educational rather than software-based. It comprises free Materials Science Classroom Kits, Mini Materials Kits, and Glass Science Kits distributed to K-12 educators; the IGNITE MSE professional development program held at major ACerS conferences; the President's Council of Student Advisors (PCSA) student leadership program; Keramos fraternity chapter grants; student travel grants ($300–$1,500); the Ceramic and Glass Career Center online job board; teacher training workshops; industry tours; and student competitions (Crystal Clear Science Video Competition, Glass Strengthening Competition). Underlying technology is primarily physical curriculum and kits covering topics like fiber optics, fluorescence, thermal shock, shape memory alloys, and piezoelectric materials, with lightweight digital infrastructure (online grant application center, career center).

The foundation is funded through charitable donations, corporate sponsorships, employer matching gifts, and payroll giving rather than priced products. Most programs are free for students and educators; grants range from $300 to $2,500. The go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, with major touchpoints at MS&T, ICACC, EMA, PACRIM/GOMD, and ACerS Spring Meeting conferences, plus public outreach events like the COSI Big Science Celebration. Customer segments span K-12 educators, K-12 and university students, ACerS members, and ceramics/glass industry employers seeking talent pipeline access.

Name

Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation

Legal name

The Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation

Website

https://foundation.ceramics.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CGIF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2014 by The American Ceramic Society to attract, inspire, and support the next generation of ceramic and glass professionals through K-12 science kits, teacher workshops, student travel grants, and career development programs, funded by donations and industry sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

STEM Education and Workforce Development

akta.pro primary industry

STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA), Science & STEM Lab Equipment & Supplies (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Makerspaces) (EDAEAIAC)

Keywords

• Materials science education
• K-12 science kits
• Ceramics and glass
• STEM education grants
• Teacher professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Westerville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: CGIF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization funded primarily through donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Major donor categories include endowed gifts, gifts of $10,000+, gifts of $1,000-$9,999, and gifts under $1,000. The foundation also accepts employer matching gifts and payroll giving.
2. Employer Matching Gifts: Thousands of companies match donations made by their employees to CGIF through employer matching gift programs.
3. Payroll Giving: Automatic payroll deductions allow donors to contribute regularly, potentially reducing taxable income while supporting the foundation's work.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational foundation that delivers materials science education programs spanning K-12 through graduate career development. It distributes free physical science kits (Materials Science Classroom Kit, Mini Materials Kit, Glass Science Kit) and lesson plans to educators, runs the IGNITE MSE professional development program at industry conferences, awards student travel grants and scholarships, hosts teacher training workshops and industry tours, and operates the Ceramic and Glass Career Center online job board. Programs are funded primarily through donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations, and are provided largely free of charge to recipients.

Product overview

The Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation (CGIF) operates as an educational foundation rather than a traditional software product company. Its offerings consist of educational programs and resources for K-12 students, teachers, and university students pursuing careers in ceramic and glass materials science. The core portfolio includes the Online Grant Application Center for funding materials science education projects, Science Kits (Materials Science Classroom Kit, Mini Materials Kit, Glass Science Kit) distributed free to K-12 educators, the IGNITE MSE professional development program held at ACerS conferences, Student Travel Grants and scholarship programs, the President's Council of Student Advisors (PCSA) for student leadership development, Keramos chapter programs for ceramic engineering students, and the Ceramic and Glass Career Center job board. Additional offerings include Teacher Training Workshops, Industry Tours, the Outreach in a Box program, Science Video Competition, and Glass Strengthening Competition, along with comprehensive Free Lesson Plans covering materials science topics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Materials Science Classroom Kit A free K-12 kit containing nine hands-on lessons and activities to introduce students to materials science fundamentals, particularly ceramics and glass. Distributed free to K-12 educators upon request or through the Kit Grant program.
• Mini Materials Kit A compact materials science kit for K-12 educators featuring condensed lessons on materials science topics, distributed free to teachers.
• Glass Science Kit A specialized kit focused on glass science education for K-12 students, exploring the properties and applications of glass materials. Distributed free to educators.
• IGNITE MSE A professional development and career exploration program for undergraduate and graduate students held in conjunction with ACerS conferences including MS&T, ICACC, EMA, and PACRIM/GOMD. Features invited speakers, networking events, poster sessions, and career panels; free for students with optional paid Kennedy Space Center tour.
• Student Travel Grants Grants for undergraduate and graduate students to attend events and conferences including MS&T ($300 per student) and ECerS Summer School ($1,500 per student from non-European universities).
• Underrepresented Student Scholarship Fund Scholarships for undergraduate students to support the next generation of ceramic and glass professionals, with a focus on underrepresented students.
• President's Council of Student Advisors (PCSA) A student leadership development program that engages students as active leaders in the ceramics community and increases participation in ACerS at local, national, and international levels.
• Keramos A national professional ceramic engineering fraternity program promoting scholarship, character, and professional interest in ceramic engineering, technology, and science. Includes chapter grants up to $1,500 per chapter per year and activities such as the mug drop competition.
• Teacher Training Workshops Free K-12 teacher training workshops (e.g., Magic of Materials Science at UC Berkeley) teaching educators how to use materials science classroom kits and connecting them with industry professionals.
• Industry Tours for Teachers Behind-the-scenes tours of ceramic and glass industry facilities (e.g., Belden Brick), providing teachers with firsthand experience of technologies and careers for their students.
• Outreach in a Box A comprehensive resource kit enabling volunteers and educators to bring materials science education to their communities, with detailed instructions and materials for hosting outreach events (including the Glass Learning Opportunities Workshop).
• Ceramic and Glass Career Center An online job board connecting ceramic and glass material employers with materials science graduates and professionals seeking careers in the industry. Provides free access for candidates and recruitment access for employers.
• Project Grants Supplemental funding up to $2,500 for teachers and community members to fund materials science education projects. Covers supplies, materials, travel, publicity, printing, and related costs. Cannot be used for staff salaries.
• Glass Strengthening Competition A hands-on technical challenge where participants apply real-world strengthening strategies to identical glass samples and compete based on impact testing performance at the ACerS Spring Meeting. Prizes: 1st $500, 2nd $300, 3rd $200.
• Crystal Clear Science Video Competition Competition challenging students to create 2–3 minute videos explaining ceramic or glass scientific concepts to the general public, with cash prizes (1st $500, 2nd $250, 3rd $100) and recognition at MS&T.
• Keramos Chapter Grants Maximum $1,500 per Keramos chapter per calendar year for chapter activities introducing students to ceramic and glass science or expanding materials science education.

Quantifiable outcome

• 22 educators trained at single workshop event (2026 UC Berkeley)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Material AdvantageflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Material Advantage is a collaborative program of four professional societies: ACerS, AIST, ASM International, and TMS. CGIF participates in joint programs like Congressional Visits Day that represent a shared investment in the future of the materials field.
• The American Ceramic Society (ACerS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014CGIF was founded by ACerS in 2014 to advance the education outreach of the society. ACerS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and the home for ceramic and glass professionals. CGIF operates as the foundation arm of ACerS with shared governance and administrative support.
• AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAAS Congressional Fellows serve as panelists during Congressional Visits Day, providing training on federal budget processes and science policy engagement. Three AAAS Congressional Fellows participated in the 2026 CVD program.
• President's Council of Student Advisors (PCSA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPCSA is an ACerS student leadership council. CGIF partners with PCSA to deliver IGNITE MSE professional development programs and support student engagement at ACerS conferences at local, national, and international levels.
• Keramos (National Professional Ceramic Engineering Fraternity)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCGIF has partnered with Keramos to provide grants up to $1,500 per chapter per year for activities promoting ceramic and glass science. Keramos promotes scholarship and character in ceramic engineering, technology, and science students.
• UC BerkeleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUC Berkeley hosted the 2026 Magic of Materials Science Teacher Training Workshop in the Hearst Memorial Mining Building. Professor Scott McCormack from UC Davis provided instruction, with graduate student volunteers from both UC Berkeley and UC Davis.
• Joint Hypersonics Transition Office (JHTO)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerJHTO provides Hypersonics STEM Curriculum that is distributed to teachers attending CGIF training workshops, enhancing the educational content with real-world applications.
• COSI (Center of Science and Industry)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCOSI is one of the nation's premier science museums. CGIF participates annually in the COSI Big Science Celebration, the marquee event of the four-day COSI Science Festival, reaching hundreds of families with hands-on science activities.
• QuantumScapeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerQuantumScape participated as an industry guest at the UC Berkeley teacher training workshop industry luncheon, engaging with educators about careers in materials science.
• CalectraminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCalectra participated as an industry guest at the UC Berkeley teacher training workshop industry luncheon, contributing to industry-education connections.
• European Ceramic Society (ECerS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCGIF partners with ECerS to provide $1,500 travel grants for students from non-European universities to attend ECerS-linked summer schools (Shaping 10 and ElectroCeramics XX conferences).

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• NSTA (National Science Teaching Association): Large K-12 science educator membership organization providing curriculum, professional development, and conferences. Comparable as a teacher-facing STEM education resource and conference presence similar to CGIF's teacher workshop model, but with a much broader science scope.
• Society for Science & the Public: Operator of Regeneron ISEF and affiliated STEM competitions that reach millions of K-12 students. Comparable in operating K-12 STEM competitions (e.g., CGIF's Crystal Clear Science Video and Glass Strengthening Competitions) but at vastly larger scale and broader STEM scope.
• ASEE (American Society for Engineering Education): Major engineering education organization running K-12 outreach, teacher professional development, and student programs across all engineering disciplines. Adjacent comparator as a broad engineering education nonprofit, with programs that overlap CGIF's pre-college STEM and teacher engagement work.
• American Chemical Society Education Division: Broader STEM chemistry education nonprofit running K-12 teacher workshops, student competitions, and curriculum resources at much larger scale than CGIF. Comparable in function (materials/STEM education nonprofit), but operates in chemistry rather than ceramics/glass and at significantly greater scale.

Direct peers

• ECerS - European Ceramic Society: European counterpart professional society for ceramic science that runs summer schools and student exchanges where CGIF funds student travel grants. Directly comparable as a ceramic-domain education and professional society, and an explicit CGIF partner for international student exchanges.
• ASM Materials Education Foundation: Foundation arm of ASM International focused on K-12 and university materials science education, scholarships, and teacher outreach. Directly comparable as a materials-science-specific education nonprofit operating teacher workshops, student grants, and curriculum resources similar to CGIF.
• AIST Foundation: Foundation of the Association for Iron & Steel Technology supporting ferrous metallurgy education, scholarships, and teacher grants. Comparable as an industry-aligned materials education nonprofit serving both K-12 and university students, and a Material Advantage partner with CGIF.
• Materials Research Society Foundation: Education and outreach arm of the Materials Research Society funding student scholarships, public engagement, and K-12 materials science programs. Closely comparable mission, donor base, and program types (kits, workshops, scholarships) to CGIF.
• TMS Foundation: Educational foundation of The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society supporting students and educators in metals and materials. Operates scholarships, travel grants, and outreach programs structurally analogous to CGIF, and is a partner in the Material Advantage joint program with ACerS.

Emerging players

• AIChE Foundation - Doing a World of Good: Education foundation of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers supporting K-12 STEM outreach, scholarships, and chemical engineering workforce development. Comparable structure (engineering society foundation focused on K-PhD pipeline), though domain is chemical rather than materials engineering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ceramicglassindustryfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ceramic-and-glass-industry-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation