Our Story
Student-built. Community-driven. From one question to a foundation that spans continents.
Connect Key Foundation started with one question: what happens when students stop waiting for someone else to solve the problem?
A student passionate about physics designed a STEM curriculum from scratch. A student who loves art created books for hospital patients. A student who cares about language built an English program for immigrant families. That's CKF — community vision turned into real, lasting impact.
The first time a child makes a reaction happen with her own hands, something shifts. She stops being someone science is done to.
That moment is what the crates are for. It is what the cards carried into hospital rooms are for, and the free SAT classes, and the supplies that went out to families after the fires.
None of it waited for anyone to grow up first.
From Vision to Impact
Every milestone, built by students.
CKF Founded
Student co-founders had already been volunteering together before the foundation had a name. In November 2023 they incorporated Connect Key Foundation as a 501(c)(3), on the conviction that young people can design real solutions to real problems — without waiting.
CKF Founded
Student co-founders had already been volunteering together before the foundation had a name. In November 2023 they incorporated Connect Key Foundation as a 501(c)(3), on the conviction that young people can design real solutions to real problems — without waiting.
CurioCrate and the Society for Science Grant
The STEM Division built CurioCrate from scratch — original physics, chemistry, and engineering curricula taught in newly established YMCA laboratory spaces. Society for Science recognized the program with a $5,000 STEM Action Grant.
CurioCrate and the Society for Science Grant
The STEM Division built CurioCrate from scratch — original physics, chemistry, and engineering curricula taught in newly established YMCA laboratory spaces. Society for Science recognized the program with a $5,000 STEM Action Grant.
3 Books Published
Three student-authored books, three deeply important ideas. Culture, identity, and childhood resilience was distributed to schools, libraries, hospitals, and international education centers.
3 Books Published
Three student-authored books, three deeply important ideas. Culture, identity, and childhood resilience was distributed to schools, libraries, hospitals, and international education centers.
LA Wildfire Relief
When wildfires swept Los Angeles, CKF students ran a relief fundraiser with the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles and delivered supplies to displaced families.
LA Wildfire Relief
When wildfires swept Los Angeles, CKF students ran a relief fundraiser with the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles and delivered supplies to displaced families.
150+ Volunteers
Five fully operational divisions with 150+ youth leaders serving in classrooms, hospitals, senior centers, and communities across 6 states and countries.
150+ Volunteers
Five fully operational divisions with 150+ youth leaders serving in classrooms, hospitals, senior centers, and communities across 6 states and countries.
Global Expansion
CKF members carried programs and service projects to Seoul, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Oregon, Minnesota, Alabama, and Georgia.
Global Expansion
CKF members carried programs and service projects to Seoul, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Oregon, Minnesota, Alabama, and Georgia.
Year-Round YMCA Vendor
CurioCrate became the YMCA's contracted STEM vendor rather than a seasonal guest. Sessions ran all summer at the Wrigley Youth Center and Fairfield Family Center, continued through fall break, and are booked again for winter — CKF students teach every one and supply the CurioCrate kits.
Year-Round YMCA Vendor
CurioCrate became the YMCA's contracted STEM vendor rather than a seasonal guest. Sessions ran all summer at the Wrigley Youth Center and Fairfield Family Center, continued through fall break, and are booked again for winter — CKF students teach every one and supply the CurioCrate kits.
El Salvador Partnership
CKF entered an official STEM partnership with the Government of El Salvador, sending CurioCrate curricula and science kits to Salvadoran students — the program's first government-level export.
El Salvador Partnership
CKF entered an official STEM partnership with the Government of El Salvador, sending CurioCrate curricula and science kits to Salvadoran students — the program's first government-level export.
Funded Again, and in the News
A second foundation grant renewed CurioCrate's funding, the Health and Art Divisions were covered in the Korean-American press for county health fairs and pediatric cancer outreach, and students raised relief funds for families after the Venezuela earthquake.
Funded Again, and in the News
A second foundation grant renewed CurioCrate's funding, the Health and Art Divisions were covered in the Korean-American press for county health fairs and pediatric cancer outreach, and students raised relief funds for families after the Venezuela earthquake.
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