Actions and Initiatives
Education and Literacy
The Foundation believes education plays an important role in building and sustaining individual growth, societal improvement, strong communities, vibrant economies and skilled
workforces for the future. The Dover Scholars Program is a significant way the Foundation demonstrates its commitment to education.
Advancement of STEM
Dover is a proud partner of the American Heart Association ("AHA"). As part of our sponsorship, we supported STEM Goes Red, which is the AHA initiative to deepen the pipeline of
women entering STEM careers through mentorship, knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities. STEM Goes Red is addressing a significant gap in STEM opportunities for young
women: 100% of participating students attend underserved schools without extracurricular STEM programs. In 2025, over 180 high school girls from the Chicago area attended the
annual STEM Goes Red event and participated in networking, panel discussions and breakout sessions with leaders in STEM industries.
A Decade-Long Partnership Advancing Equitable Education and Access to Science Learning
For more than a decade, the Dover Foundation has been a committed and valued partner to Shedd Aquarium. Together, we’ve worked to expand access to high-quality, hands-on science
education for students and educators across Chicago. This long-standing philanthropic relationship has played a vital role in helping Shedd reach more than 130,000 students
annually—many of whom come from under-resourced communities—and create transformative educational experiences both inside and beyond the aquarium’s walls.
The Dover Foundation’s support has been instrumental in launching and sustaining key initiatives that advance Shedd’s mission to spark compassion, curiosity and conservation for
the aquatic animal world. Two signature programs from 2025 include the Science Educators Conference and the Education Access Program.
Science Educators Conference
Dover's support enables Shedd’s annual Science Educators Conference. In 2025, the program welcomed 51 teachers for an immersive experience designed to enhance science instruction
in alignment with classroom needs.
The program fosters a dynamic learning community where educators:
- Gain awareness of Shedd’s educational tools for in- and out-of-classroom use
- Practice inquiry-based, student-centered instructional methods
- Exchange ideas and best practices with fellow educators across Chicago
Education Access Program
The Dover Foundation also supports Shedd’s Education Access Program, which reimagines traditional field trips to expand the reach of the aquarium’s learning resources, increasing
access for students of all backgrounds. In 2025 alone, 1,925 students from 41 Chicago Public Schools participated in this fully complimentary, multi-day experience, which took
place both virtually and through an on-site field trip.
Aligned with Chicago Public Schools’ Amplify Science curriculum and Next Generation Science Standards, this program brings animal science to life by focusing on topics such as
animal communication and sound in nature. With live footage, interactive digital content and in-person animal encounters, students work through real-world scientific concepts,
including how dolphins use echolocation to navigate and interact.
Together, these programs reflect Shedd Aquarium’s commitment to learning and community, and they would not be possible without the dedicated support of the Dover Foundation. With
Dover’s partnership, we continue to bridge educational gaps, invest in educators and empower Chicago’s youth—especially in under-resourced communities—with the tools, experiences
and inspiration to thrive in school and beyond.
Community Involvement
Our commitment to community engagement goes well beyond philanthropic giving. Dover operating companies around the world donate products and empower their employees to volunteer
their time and talent in the communities where they live and work. Please see our Community Stories page for
the latest news about passionate employees and the impact they are making in their communities.
Community Partnerships
In 2025, the Foundation provided nearly $600,000 in grants and contributions through community partnerships.