Our Story
The MATHCOUNTS Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that reaches students in grades 6-8 in all US states and territories with 3 extracurricular math programs. More than a quarter million students participate in our programs and use our resources each year.
There are many paths to success in math. We help all students discover theirs.
Our approach is simple: we make learning math fun. We believe middle school is a critical juncture when a love of math must be encouraged, and a fear of math must be overcome. Our programs build problem solving skills and positive attitudes about math, so students embrace challenges and expand their academic and career opportunities in the future.
Financial Information
Our Programs
MATHCOUNTS Competition Series
We cultivate talent in the nation's brightest young minds through the MATHCOUNTS Competition Series. We bring together students from all 50 states in a series of in-person contests—the only competition program of its kind.
The National Math Club
We inspire curiosity and build confidence in students of all levels through the National Math Club. We help create a space where learning math is fun, social and supportive, so that every student becomes a lifelong math learner.
Math Video Challenge
We inspire creativity in students through project-based learning with the Math Video Challenge. We enable students to connect and apply math to their own lives by producing their own math videos, and teach others in the process.
Our History
- 1983: MATHCOUNTS Foundation is established in February by the National Society of Professional Engineers, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and CNA Insurance.
- 1983: The MATHCOUNTS Competition Series is launched in the fall, with the first School Handbook released to U.S. middle schools nationwide.
- 1984: The first MATHCOUNTS National Competition takes place at George Washington University, May 18-19, bringing together students from 47 states plus the District of Columbia.
- 2007: The National Math Club is launched in the fall (as the MATHCOUNTS Club Program).
- 2011: The Math Video Challenge is launched in the fall (as Reel Math Challenge).
- 2012: MATHCOUNTS enters its 30th year.
- 2013: MATHCOUNTS undergoes a rebranding, starting with the 2013-2014 program year.
- 2018: Luke Robitaille of Texas becomes the first ever repeat National Champion on May 14 at the 2018 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition.
Our Accolades
- WestEd has recognized MATHCOUNTS as having one of the nation's most effective STEM learning programs, listing the Math Video Challenge as an Accomplished Program in STEMworks.
- MATHCOUNTS has been recognized on the National Association of Secondary School Principals National List of Approved Contests, Programs and Activities for Students for 2018-2019.
- At the 2013 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition, 325 MATHCOUNTS students, coaches and volunteers set a Guinness World Record for the fastest time to create a human formation of the first 25 rows of Pascal's Triangle. Pictured above, the task was completed in just 6 minutes, 16.57 seconds.
- The MATHCOUNTS Foundation has been recognized in White House ceremonies by Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Ronald W. Reagan, and has received two White House citations as an outstanding private sector initiative.
- During the 2011 BoardSource Leadership Forum, the MATHCOUNTS Foundation was awarded Honorable Mention in the Prudential Leadership Awards for Outstanding Nonprofit Boards.
- MATHCOUNTS is recognized by Charity Navigator as a 3-star charity, indicating the Foundation "exceeds or meets industry standards and performs as well as or better than most charities in its Cause."
- MATHCOUNTS received the 2018 Platinum GuideStar Nonprofit Profile Seal of Transparency, the highest level of recognition offered by GuideStar.
- MATHCOUNTS has received the Independent Charities of America Seal of Excellence.
