S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation Awards $50,000 Grant to MentorNet

SUNNYVALE, CA- June 22, 2011 - The S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation has awarded MentorNet a $50,000 grant to build awareness of its one-to-one online mentoring program to all underrepresented science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) university students in the United States. This grant will enable MentorNet to grow its program beyond its 100 campus partners.

"MentorNet shares the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation's mission to foster a robust and competitive workforce that understands and appreciates the contributions made by engineering and science to society's welfare," said Lisa Lomenzo, Program Officer at the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation. "This grant will help MentorNet expand its program to reach a much wider population of talented students."

The S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation supports non-profit organizations that provide quality programs in STEM. Non-profits are a critical component to building strength in STEM fields, which will increase America's capacity to complete globally, enhance opportunities for innovation, and lead to economic prosperity and a better quality of life for society as a whole.

"Technology has the power to positively transform the lives of thousands of students nation-wide. With this grant, MentorNet can extend a helping hand to students above and beyond our 100 partnering campuses by exploring the power of social media to reach our target cohort directly," said David Porush, President and CEO of MentorNet. "There are about 1.5 million women and minority STEM students in the United States. We are proud of serving about 3,000 students a year, but now we hope to grow our reach by many factors."

About MentorNet
MentorNet is a 501(C)(3) non-profit educational organization. Its mission is to help engineering and science students at the university level - especially women and underrepresented minorities - achieve their career goals by matching them with mentors and guiding their one-on-one relationships over the Internet. MentorNet is supported by fees from campus, corporate, government laboratory and organization partners and by grants from public and private foundations. To learn more about MentorNet, visit www.MentorNet.net.

About the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation
The S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation supports selected non-profit organizations and initiatives that seek to address critical challenges to the economic health and well-being of the United States.  The primary geographic focus is the San Francisco Bay Area where the foundation can work closely with grantees whose missions and work can serve as models to be replicated in other areas. 

Media Contacts:
Candice Nance
Director of Media and Communications
MentorNet
Phone: (408) 296-4405 x 15
Email: Candice (at) MentorNet (dot) net