Why We’re Participating in Give 8/28 (and How You Can Support Our Next Class)
August is Black Philanthropy Month—a time dedicated to celebrating and investing in Black-led organizations creating tangible, lasting impact. Today, August 28th, marks Give 8/28, the nation’s only national giving day specifically focused on Black-led nonprofits.
Founded by the Young, Black & Giving Back Institute, Give 8/28 honors a historic calendar date—marking iconic moments of courage and civil rights progress from Jackie Robinson to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—by channeling community support directly to Black-led organizations doing frontline work today.
We are excited to be taking part this year.
What We Do at the Patti Grace Smith Fellowship Foundation
Our work is focused on fixing a longstanding problem: Black professionals remain severely underrepresented across aviation and space.
Too many extraordinary Black undergraduates face systemic barriers or simply lack the early industry connections needed to land that critical first job. We built PGSF to change that pipeline permanently.
Every Patti Grace Smith Fellow earns:
A paid, living-wage summer internship at a leading aerospace company, agency, or high-growth startup.
Two dedicated mentors—one senior executive and one early-career peer—to guide them through the industry.
100+ hours of leadership training, including an all-expenses-paid Leadership Summit where they connect with their cohort and industry leaders.
A direct cash grant of $2,500 that can be used to cover tuition, books, housing, or whatever tools they need to stay focused on their degree.
Since launching in 2020, we’ve welcomed nearly 200 students into our fellowship, hailing from 77 colleges and universities. Along the way, we’ve awarded over $540,000 in direct cash grants to ensure financial strain never stands between a brilliant student and their career in space.
And our work is, well, working.
Our most recent class of Fellows described the program as "genuinely life-changing" and "incredibly meaningful." In post-program surveys, Fellows reported a 40% increase in both their confidence in securing a successful career in aerospace and their sense of belonging within the broader community. Even more compelling: 90% of our alumni are currently working in aerospace or a closely related field—a dramatic result when compared to the ~55% national completion rate for engineering undergraduates overall.
How You Can Get Involved
Our momentum relies on a community of people who believe that the future of aerospace should reflect the full breadth of talent in our country.
Every new contribution has a direct, massive impact. Our modest payroll is fully covered by an existing donor, which means 100% of your donation goes directly to supporting our Fellows and expanding our programming. We are also proud to hold a Candid Gold Seal of Transparency as a verified 501(c)(3) non-profit.
If you’ve been following our work and want to support our incoming class of future engineers, policymakers, and aerospace leaders, today is a fantastic day to do it. (Note: If you're reading this slightly early, early giving is already open!)
Here is how you can help:
Make a donation: Visit our Give 8/28 Campaign Page. Your tax-deductible gift goes straight toward funding student cash grants, summit travel, year-round programming for our Fellows, and new programs that serve our mission.
Text-to-Give: You can also text PGSF27 to 844-844-6844
Spread the word: Share our Give 8/28 link on LinkedIn, Instagram, BlueSky, or X, or send it directly to your network using the hashtag #Give828.
Whether you give $8, $80, $800, or simply share our mission with someone new, thank you for supporting our Fellows and helping us build an industry where Black excellence in aerospace is the norm, not the exception.