Griffith Observatory Foundation (FOTO)

The Foundation fully funds all staffing, materials, and equipment for both the Griffith Observatory's in-person 5th-grade school program and the on-line school program, which are free s.t.e.a.m. (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) programming designed to meet California state board of education content standards in science for approximately 27,000 5th-grade students in-person annually and over 100,000 students virtually - almost entirely from title i schools. The Foundation provides additional funding for transportation for title i los angeles unified schools unable to afford bus transportation to the in-person school program.

The Foundation is funding the development of a new celestial globe exhibit at Griffith Observatory. It will be a permanent piece of astronomical art, inspired by the sphere held aloft by the farnese atlas sculpture in the naples archaeological museum, will teach millions of visitors each year about the history and lore of the constellations, and will provide visitors with inspiration and guidance as they journey through the Observatory.

Griffith Observatory Foundation works to ensure that Griffith Observatory has the resources to develop educational and inspirational programs and support facilities to continue to inform millions of visitors. Funding from the Foundation has helped to innovate and sustain technology and specialized staffing that animates the building. To keep Griffith Observatory current with state-of-the-art technology, the Foundation provides for regular upgrades to theaters and exhibits as well as larger capital updates. Current funding has brought live online programming to a world-wide audience. A five-year strategic plan was developed to represent the Observatory and the Foundation's work to increase local impact, global reach, community ownership, and expand the audience for our cosmic content.

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