A 501(c)(3) dedicated to inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders and innovators since 2003
About Rugrunners Robotics
An all-volunteer nonprofit serving students in New York's Capital Region since 2003
Rugrunners Robotics Inc. is a New York not-for-profit corporation and federally recognized 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 04-3779019), founded in 2003 and based in Clifton Park, New York. For more than two decades we have organized meetings, training, and hands-on programs that give young people real experience in engineering, programming, design, and teamwork.
We exist because building a competitive robot — and the team that builds it — takes more than a classroom can provide. It takes workshop space, tools and materials, experienced adult mentors, travel to competitions, and a community that believes students are capable of professional-level work. Rugrunners brings those pieces together.
Our Mission: To organize, implement, operate, and provide meetings, training, and support of students and mentors to participate in programs that inspire and excite young people about science and technology.
We build alliances with professionals, educators, parents, schools, corporate and community sponsors, and others to provide needed resources.
Our History
Founded in 2003, Rugrunners began as a group of parents, teachers, and engineers who wanted local students to experience science and technology by doing it — designing, building, and competing with robots of their own creation. Since then, roughly 100 students per year have taken part in the programs we support, guided by a community of about 30 volunteer mentors drawn from local industry, universities, and schools.
Since 2016 alone, our community has invested more than $583,000 in student programs — every dollar of it raised from donations and grants, and over 99% of it spent directly on programs. Many of our alumni have gone on to study engineering and computer science and to careers in STEM fields, and some return as mentors themselves.
Governance & Accountability
Rugrunners Robotics Inc. is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. No officer or director receives any compensation — all serve as unpaid volunteers, so contributions go to students, not salaries.
- Legal name: Rugrunners Robotics Inc.
- Tax status: 501(c)(3) public charity — donations are tax-deductible
- EIN: 04-3779019
- Founded: 2003
- Location: PO Box 1142, Clifton Park, NY 12065
- Executive compensation: $0 — every officer and director is a volunteer
- Public filings: our annual IRS Form 990 filings are available on ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer
We believe in full transparency: our financial filings are public record, and we encourage anyone considering a donation or partnership to review them independently.
Board of Directors
Get in touch at info@rugrunners.org or by contacting our all-volunteer leadership team