Beckman Foundation Awards Irvine Public Schools Foundation a $25,000 Orange County Community Support Grant
Funds to Support Development of Artificial Intelligence Literacy Program, Designed to Equip Educators and Students with Skills and Guidance to Use AI Safely, Responsibly, and Effectively
IRVINE, Calif. (August 11, 2026) – The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation today announced Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF) as the latest recipient of one of its Orange County Community Support Grants, issuing a $25,000 partnership award to sponsor the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Literacy Program. The funding will be used to support development and launch of the program, designed to equip educators and students with the skills and guidance needed to engage with AI safely, responsibly, and effectively – enhancing both the teaching and learning experiences.
Beckman’s local community support grants fund organizations with innovative STEM/STEAM activities, projects, and/or events within the Orange County, California area that align with its aim of “supporting young scientists today for tomorrow’s breakthrough discoveries.” IPSF’s AI Literacy Program aims to ensure that the district’s leadership in AI integration remains intentional, equitable, and grounded in clear standards as the technology continues to evolve. It will also serve to establish a shared AI literacy framework including digital literacy, media literacy, and digital citizenship with AI that informs curriculum development, guides instructional practice, and supports responsible decision-making across classrooms and grade levels.
“This support from the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation reflects a shared commitment to preparing students for a rapidly changing world. The grant will provide students and educators with the resources to explore AI with curiosity, confidence, and responsibility. By building a strong foundation in AI literacy today, we’re helping students develop the skills to think critically, solve problems creatively, and navigate the opportunities of tomorrow. We are grateful for the Beckman Foundation’s longstanding partnership and their continued belief in Irvine students and the future they will help shape.
The district plans to deploy AI Literacy resources to teachers at the start of the 2026-27 year to begin integrating the skills and concepts within instruction while soliciting feedback and suggestions from multiple stakeholder groups for the purpose of program refinement. The evaluation and refinement process is scheduled to take place over the next three years.
About the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation
Located in Irvine, California, the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation supports researchers and nonprofit research institutions in making the next generation of breakthroughs in chemistry and the life sciences. Founded in 1977 by 20th century scientific instrumentation pioneer Dr. Arnold O. Beckman, the Foundation supports United States institutions and young scientists whose creative, high-risk, and interdisciplinary research will lead to innovations and new tools and methods for scientific discovery. For more information, visit beckman-foundation.org.
About Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF)
Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF) is a nonprofit organization with the mission of enriching the educational experience of each child in every school. What started as a volunteer-driven, grassroots organization in 1996 has grown to become one of the largest and most impactful education foundations in the country. In addition, IPSF excels at uniting local corporate and community partners, parents, and residents in raising funds to nurture student potential. Each year, IPSF provides millions of dollars in funding to Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) to support STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education, small-group learning, afterschool and summer programs, grants for classroom innovation, and support for mental health initiatives, athletic trainers, and school nurses. For more information about IPSF, visit ipsf.net.
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