50 Years of Innovation: Building Partnerships

“If you're considering donating [to the National Inventors Hall of Fame^®], I can certainly tell you that your gift will promote the longevity of the Earth, and the invention of devices that will help save our lives and make our lives more comfortable. Problems have to be solved. Who's going to do it? The next generation.”
— National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductee James E. West, co-inventor of the electret microphone

The National Inventors Hall of Fame was founded in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in 1973, and for the past 50 years, we’ve relied on the support of our philanthropic, inventor, educator and community partners.

As we celebrate our golden anniversary, we’re also planning for the next 50 years. Read on to learn more about our innovative partners and to find out how you can get involved.

Partners in Innovation

Supporters of innovation across the country have contributed to inspiring the creative spirit in everyone. All our efforts – from developing interactive exhibits at the National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum and holding memorable events to welcome each year’s Hall of Fame class, to rewarding emerging inventors at our annual Collegiate Inventors Competition^® (CIC) and empowering the youngest innovators through education programs including Camp Invention^® and Invention Project^® – are made possible by generous sponsors and donors.

To read about some of our dedicated philanthropic partners, visit our blog.

Legendary Inventors

Our Nation’s Greatest Innovators^™, the National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees inspire all our education programs, and many become active partners in everything we do.

Inductees serve as CIC Judges, offering invaluable feedback and advice to student inventors, and many collaborate directly with the National Inventors Hall of Fame education team in developing each year’s brand-new Camp Invention curriculum. By making personal visits to camp locations across the country, Inductees often see their impact firsthand, while sharing unforgettable lessons and encouragement with the next generation.

To further invest in the future, some Inductees have even established their own National Inventors Hall of Fame Endowment Funds. You can learn more about such giving opportunities here.

Dedicated Educators and Families

Since 1990, the National Inventors Hall of Fame has worked with our community partners to deliver one-of-a-kind invention education programs. These programs are designed to leverage children’s natural creativity and guide them through the act of invention to develop the innovative mindset and skills they need to navigate their lives and reach their full potential.

In 2022 alone, the National Inventors Hall of Fame partnered with 23,000 educators and staff in 2,500 schools and districts. We are thankful for these exceptional partners in invention education who devoted their time, energy and expertise to bring STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) exploration to life through immersive, hands-on experiences.

We are also grateful for the many families who have registered their children to take part in our education programs in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. In 2022, 286,000 children participated in our programs, including more than 197,000 underserved children who would not have been able to attend without the support of our sponsors and donors who have funded scholarships for Camp Invention.

Contribute to the Next 50 Years of Innovation

Your donation to the National Inventors Hall of Fame gives meaningful opportunities to children, educators and emerging inventors. You can direct your support to the cause you value most, from providing scholarships for STEM education programs to funding hands-on learning materials.

Visit our website to make a one-time contribution or provide steady support by selecting a monthly donation.