ACEC Member News: Mead & Hunt Launches Foundation to Invest in Communities Nationwide. New 501(c)(3) to Award Grants Supporting STEAM Education, Environmental Stewardship, and Basic Human Needs.

From Mead&Hunt’s Press Release:

Mead & Hunt announces the launch of the Mead & Hunt Foundation, a public 501(c)(3) organization created to invest in communities where the firm’s employees live and work. The Foundation will award annual grants to nonprofit organizations that cultivate future Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) leaders, champion environmental stewardship, and address basic human needs.

The Foundation grew from the vision of current Mead & Hunt Board Chair and former CEO Andy Platz, who identified an opportunity to deepen the firm’s community impact by partnering with mission-aligned organizations.

“Mead & Hunt has had a robust giving program that our employees enjoy and a history of taking care of communities as part of our values,” said Platz. “Establishing the Foundation seemed like a natural extension of our commitment. We’re building on a legacy dating back 126 years to our founder, Daniel Mead, and increasing our impact by inviting shareholders, employees, and the general public to partner with us.”

A seven-member Board of Directors leads the Foundation. Serving as President is Cassie Coopman, an Enterprise Resilience Consultant in Mead & Hunt’s Architecture & Building Engineering group with seven years of experience at the firm. Cassie is a strategic communicator and organizational leader with a multidisciplinary background spanning communications, marketing, business development, project management, risk management, and organizational strategic planning.

“I’ve always been driven by the opportunity to support people and help organizations grow, which is exactly what this Foundation represents,” says Cassie. “We’re excited to oversee the Foundation’s first grant cycle and begin building partnerships with organizations that are strengthening our communities. Our focus is on creating something that makes an impact for years to come.”

The Mead & Hunt Foundation is now accepting grant applications for the 2026 cycle. The deadline to apply is August 31, with grants awarded this fall. Visit meadhuntfoundation.org to learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.