Office of the Chairman
From his early career PhD in robotics, to his efforts to expand access to computer science to all learners, to his unwavering dedication to scientific and technological progress, David Siegel’s work has been central to the core principles of Siegel Family Endowment. The Office of the Chairman highlights grants and projects guided by his leadership, reflecting both his longstanding involvement and his ongoing inquiry into the most effective ways to advance technology for the public good.
Open Athena
Open Athena partners with leading academic labs to help build large scientific AI models, addressing technology and infrastructure challenges so researchers can focus on and advance their work. By providing engineering expertise and access to large-scale computing resources, Open Athena supports the development and deployment of scientific foundation models—tools with the potential to accelerate discoveries across multiple scientific domains that have yet to be fully explored with this technology.
The MIT Siegel Family Quest for Intelligence
MIT Siegel Family Quest for Intelligence is a collaborative community of scientists, engineers, faculty, students, and supporters dedicated to understanding intelligence—how it arises in the brain and how it can be replicated in artificial systems. To address the grand challenge of intelligence, the Quest integrates research across natural and artificial intelligence, developing scientific theories, computational models, and real-world applications. Leveraging MIT’s leadership at the intersection of neuroscience, engineering, and AI, the initiative fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to create novel intelligent systems and tools with broad societal impact.
Scratch Foundation
Scratch is the world’s largest creative coding platform for kids, with over 150 million users globally who have created and shared more than 1 billion projects. Developed through decades of research at the MIT Media Lab, Scratch empowers young people to bring ideas to life, connect with a safe and playful global community, and explore creative learning opportunities. Freely available to children everywhere, the Scratch Foundation advances equitable access to expressive, hands-on learning in coding and digital creativity. David Siegel is Co-Founder alongside Mitch Resnick, and current serves on the Board.
NYC First
NYC FIRST inspires and equips students from diverse communities across New York City to engage with STEM and robotics through hands-on, joyful learning experiences. Through a network of STEM Centers and school- and community-based programs, NYC FIRST expands access to critical resources—such as computing, fabrication tools, mentorship, and technical expertise—while helping young people build both technical and life skills. By strengthening pathways into STEM education and careers, the organization supports a more inclusive and connected civic infrastructure for the city’s next generation of innovators and leaders. David Siegel serves as Co-Chair of the Board.