About the Art of Problem Solving Initiative

Founded in 2004, the Art of Problem Solving Initiative, Inc. was created by people who love math and love teaching to help students access the study of advanced mathematics.

The Initiative began by running the USA Mathematical Talent Search, a nationwide math contest sponsored by the National Security Agency. In each round, this contest gives students a full month to work on five challenging proof-based problems. Students then get individual feedback on their work, including comments on their mathematical reasoning and on their proof-writing skills. By taking away the usual time pressures seen in many math contests, students have the opportunity to go more deeply and to explore.

For many years, the Initiative also ran the Local Programs Initiative which provided fiscal sponsorship to math circles and clubs across the country.

Now, the main project of the Initiative is Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics (BEAM), a project to expand opportunities for students from low-income communities to become scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and computer scientists. BEAM serves students from middle school through college. Rising 7th and 8th graders attend advanced math summer camps; 8th--12th graders have access to year-round math enrichment, advising, and help accessing great-fit high schools and colleges; and college students receive advising, networking opportunities, and connections to STEM careers, research opportunities, and more.

BEAM has collected proof of its impact. In a recent study, BEAM students were 1.4x as likely to major in STEM as a comparison group, with BEAM students particularly highly represented in rigorous quantitative majors such as physics, economics, engineering, and mathematics.

All of BEAM's programs are free for students and families.

The Art of Problem Solving Initiative receives support from Art of Problem Solving (AoPS), which develops resources for high-performing middle and high school students including the largest online community of avid math students in the English-speaking world. The AoPS online school has trained many winners of major national mathematics competitions, including several gold medalists at the International Math Olympiad, Davidson Fellows, and winners of the Intel and Siemens Talent Search competitions.

The Art of Problem Solving Initiative is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization led by expert mathematicians and educators. Please consider joining our contributors by donating to support advanced math education.

Financial Information

The Art of Problem Solving Initiative, Inc. has earned the Platinum Transparency Seal 2025 from Candid and Four Stars from Charity Navigator. We make our financial statements available for public inspection in the interest of greater transparency. Please see below to learn more about the organization.