Science Fair Foundation Of British Columbia

What Science Fair Foundation Of British Columbia does

Science Fair Foundation of British Columbia (SFFBC) is a registered charity (BN: 86581 4024 RR0001) and non-profit organization that supports youth STEM education across British Columbia and the Yukon Territory. Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Surrey, BC, the foundation operates what is described as the largest volunteer science outreach network in the province, engaging more than 1,500 science and technology educators and professionals as mentors, judges, and hosts. SFFBC serves youth in grades 4-12 (ages 9-19), teachers and educators, and science/technology professionals, running a portfolio of programs that create a pathway from classroom experimentation through regional fairs to the national Canada-Wide Science Fair and international competitions.

The foundation's core offerings include 13 Regional Science Fairs across BC and Yukon (held February-April at venues such as UBC, UVic, TRU, UNBC, UFV, and UBC Okanagan), the Youth Innovation Showcase (a virtual STEM competition with $5,000 grand prizes in two age brackets), the Science Fair Accelerator (a six-week intensive mentorship program for grades 7-12), the Science Club (monthly Zoom office hours), STEM Project Grants ($50-$200) and STEM Classroom Grants (up to $500), a Provincial Awards Program with 14 sponsored awards and scholarships ranging from $50 cash to $3,000 post-secondary scholarships, and the "Let's Innovate!" Podcast (currently in Season 6). Technically, the foundation relies on a modest digital stack — Zoom for virtual sessions, online registration systems, and virtual competition infrastructure — with no proprietary technology, patents, or AI components disclosed.

SFFBC operates a hybrid community-led go-to-market model. Revenue is primarily sourced from donations and charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations, supplemented by modest program fees: a $25 Youth Innovation Showcase registration fee and a $450 Accelerator fee (deliberately reduced to $100 for the first 2026 cohort to seed adoption). Major financial partners include the Julia Lane Foundation (which committed $15,000 in support of the 2024 mission) and the Tweedledum Foundation (which funds the STEM Project Grant program). The foundation is governed by a Board chaired by Leonard Foster and led operationally by Executive Director Sarah Prade, with a small staff of fewer than 10 including a Program & Volunteer Manager, Community Engagement Manager, Digital Marketing & Program Coordinator, and Social Media coordinator.

Name

Science Fair Foundation Of British Columbia

Legal name

Science Fair Foundation of British Columbia

Website

https://sciencefairs.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Science Fair Foundation of British Columbia is a registered charity operating BC and Yukon's largest volunteer science outreach network, running 13 regional science fairs, virtual competitions, mentorship programs, and STEM grants to engage 20,000+ youth annually in hands-on STEM education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth STEM Education Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

STEM Research & Inquiry Programs (Research Mentorship, Science Fair Prep) (EDAMABAC), Research & Science Fair Competitions (Science Fairs, Research Symposiums) (EDAMAGAL), STEM Competitions & Olympiads (Science Bowls, STEM Challenges) (EDAMABAL), Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA)

Keywords

• Youth STEM education
• Science fair programs
• Student mentorship
• STEM grants
• Innovation competitions

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a registered charity (Charitable Business Number: 86581 4024 RR0001), the foundation relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations to fund operations and programs.
2. Program Registration Fees: The Youth Innovation Showcase charges a $25 registration fee per participant. The Science Fair Accelerator program charges $450 per project (reduced to $100 for the first cohort in 2026).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Science Fair Foundation of British Columbia is a registered charity that runs the largest volunteer science outreach network in the province, organizing 13 regional science fairs across BC and Yukon, the virtual Youth Innovation Showcase, the Science Fair Accelerator, the Science Club mentorship program, STEM Grants, and a Provincial Awards program. The foundation funds and supports student participation in science fairs from the classroom through regional, national, and international competitions, while mobilizing 1,500+ educator and professional volunteers as mentors, judges, and hosts.

Product overview

Science Fair Foundation of BC operates as a charitable organization running the largest volunteer science outreach network in British Columbia, supporting science and technology education through multiple interconnected programs. The core offerings include Regional Science Fairs across 13 regions, the Youth Innovation Showcase virtual competition, the Science Fair Accelerator intensive program, and the Science Club mentorship initiative. Supporting programs include STEM Grants for students and educators, the Provincial Awards Program with scholarships, the Let's Innovate! Podcast, and educational resources including a Science Fair Guide. Together, these programs serve youth, educators, and volunteers across BC and Yukon, providing pathways from classroom experiments to national and international science competitions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Youth Innovation Showcase (YIS): Virtual STEM competition for youth in BC and the Yukon who have used science to solve a challenge in their life or community.
• Science Fair Accelerator
• Let's Innovate! Podcast

Products and services

• Regional Science Fairs Supports 13 regional science fairs across British Columbia and Yukon Territory, providing a pathway from classroom to regional, national, and international competitions where students present original scientific research and innovative projects. Fair venues include universities (UBC, UVic, TRU, UNBC, UFV, UBC Okanagan) and schools held annually February–April.
• Science Club Monthly virtual office hours via Zoom (fourth Tuesday of each month, 4:30–5:00 PM PT) plus an email mentorship program connecting students with science fair experts for support with STEM projects and science fair questions.
• STEM Grants Grant funding for BC and Yukon youth and educators, including STEM Project Grants of $50–$200 for youth ages 9–18 (Grades 4–12) to support science fair projects and innovation, and STEM Classroom Grants of up to $500 for BC and Yukon educators to support STEM opportunities.
• Youth Innovation Showcase Virtual STEM competition for youth ages 12–19 in BC and Yukon featuring 45-second pitch videos, 1-page innovation reports, and About the Innovator videos. Judging occurs across three rounds (Review, Semi-Finals, Finals) with virtual interviews, culminating in a virtual Awards Show. Registration fee is $25 per participant, with $5,000 grand prizes in two age categories (12–15 and 16–19).
• Science Fair Accelerator Six-week intensive online program for grades 7–12 students with existing project ideas, providing mentorship from science fair judges and lessons aligned with Canada-Wide Science Fair judging rubrics. Program fees are $450 per project starting in 2027 (reduced to $100 for the first cohort in 2026).
• Provincial Awards Program Recognition program featuring 14 sponsored awards and scholarships for outstanding science fair participants across BC and Yukon, including cash prizes and post-secondary scholarships up to $3,000. Sponsored by partners including Genome BC, Julia Lane Foundation, BC Hydro Power Pioneers, BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit, and Shad Canada.
• Let's Innovate! Podcast Podcast series featuring conversations with youth innovators, STEAM thought leaders, and science fair participants exploring the passion behind great ideas. Hosted by Michael Unger, Manager of Community Engagement, currently in Season 6.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20,000+ students engaged annually in science fair programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and major.

• BC Agriculture in the Classroom FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsors the BC Agriculture in the Classroom Award ($65) for outstanding project in grades 5-12 showing practical application of scientific principles to agriculture.
• Codename Entertainment, Electronic Arts, Blackbird InteractiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint sponsors of the BC Game Developer's Innovation Award with tiered prizes ($50-$150) for projects in computer science, mathematics, engineering, or astronomy.
• BC Hydro Power Pioneers AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsors the BC Hydro Power Pioneers Award ($100) for projects exploring conservation, energy, electricity, safety, or sustainability.
• BC NatureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsors the BC Nature Award for best natural history projects including conservation of natural habitats and species.
• BC Science Teachers AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAwards a student(s) from grades 7 or 8 for an experimental project with clearly presented hypothesis and independent, controlled variables.
• Genome BCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsors the Genome BC Award ($300, two awards) for projects focused on life sciences and the Genome BC Scholarship ($1,000 post-secondary).
• BC Association of Physics TeachersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsors the Michael Crooks Physics Prize ($125) for outstanding physics-related project by students in Grades 6-12.
• Society for Canadian Women in Science & Technology (SCWIST)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsors award for young women and gender diverse youth (preference Grades 8-10) showing curiosity, ingenuity and innovation in design to encourage interest in science.
• Shad CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsors the Community Changemaker Prize ($750 towards SHAD2027 fees) for Grade 9-10 student whose project demonstrates creativity, curiosity, and social impact.
• Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) Vancouver CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsors the Vancouver RASC Martha Pearse Award ($50) for best astronomy or physics project demonstrating creativity and innovation.
• BC Ministry of Transportation and TransitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsors the Ministry of Transportation and Transit Scholarship ($1,900) for Grade 11-12 student applying scientific principles to transportation-related issues.
• Youth Science CanadamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner organization that operates the Canada-Wide Science Fair. SFFBC supports students selected to Team BC and Yukon to represent their region at CWSF. Challenge Awards sponsored by Youth Science Canada.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/sciencefairsca
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/science-fair-foundation-of-british-columbia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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