OUR FOCUS
Educate Fairfax is the 501 (c)3 non-profit and the only charitable foundation dedicated exclusively to raising funds to support the success of Fairfax County Public Schools by addressing gaps in funding.
Our focus is in alignment with Fairfax County Public Schools’ s Strategic Plan 2023-30.
Our work focuses on proactive engagement, anticipating needs, and aligning with the division's strategic priorities.
By fostering partnerships, adapting to emerging challenges like food insecurity and equitable access to innovative learning opportunities, and creating targeted initiatives, we demonstrate an approach rooted in strategy and impact.
KIDS IN NEED
Our schools benefit from a robust network of non-profits, businesses, faith-based groups and individuals who support students with a strong start in Pre-K through 12th grade.
Imagine a child walking into his neighborhood school with a fresh haircut, wearing new clothes and carrying a backpack filled with the proper school supplies. This is a child ready to learn and be successful in school.
For more than 69,000 FCPS students, the reality is much different. In the 2024 - 2025 school year, 1 in every 3 FCPS students (37%) receive free or reduced-price meals, an indicator that they, and their families, are living in need.
The Kids in Need fund works through direct distribution and with the help of social workers, and teachers to provide necessary items to students who need them.
See below for two opportunities for you to make a big impact on students’ lives – consider hosting a food drive or school supply drive at your business or in your neighborhood! It’s as easy as clicking on ‘Download Flyer’ for instructions and flyers ready to print.
School Supply Drive
Funds raised through this effort help purchase school supplies for students who may be experiencing economic hardship – including newcomer, foster care, homeless, military-connected, and recently displaced students.
A donation of just $12 provides these students with the essential tools they need to be successful.
Food For All
Students in Fairfax County need your help to focus on their studies!
The food collected in food drives is one of the wraparound services we offer students and their families so they can focus on their education.
Please consider hosting a food drive or donating to support this program.
INNOVATORS FUND
Innovation is one of the ways we support educational initiatives across Fairfax County Public Schools.
The Innovators Fund empowers FCPS educators to provide diverse learning environments and opportunities for students to excel by addressing gaps in funding.
We assist businesses and individuals in making strategic investments in unique experiences for students to innovate, create and explore within a classroom or school setting preparing students for college, career or the workforce.
Help us raise funds. Educate Fairfax will match the first $50,000 in donations to this fund!
Educate Fairfax Grants
Supporting the innovation, passion, and commitment of our first-class educators and staff by providing the resources and recognition they need to thrive; empowering us all to create a brighter future for our community.
One way we do this is through Educate Fairfax Grants.
School-based educators and staff may apply for an Educate Fairfax Grant each fall so that they can provide students with equitable access to innovative learning experiences and opportunities in alignment with the 2023-30 FCPS Strategic Plan. Grants are available up to $2,000. Funds must be used by the end of the same school year, and applicants must submit an impact report detailing the outcomes and impact to students.
During the 2024-2025 school year, we awarded 107 Educate Fairfax Grants to 100 schools across FCPS, benefitting over 36,000 students! We have big goals for next year—to fund all 199 FCPS schools and centers, with the help of our generous donors.
To see a full list of our schools who received grants this year and their impactful projects visit: https://sqr.co/EducateFairfaxGrants2425/
Grant applications open every August, check back for information on how to apply!
EDUCATE FAIRFAX SCHOLARSHIPS
Educate Fairfax Scholarships open doors, ensuring FCPS students have access to college and career opportunities, including clinicals, internships, apprenticeships and more.
We are deeply committed to ensuring every FCPS student has the opportunity to succeed beyond high school, regardless of their background or financial situation. Many of our talented students face financial barriers that prevent them from pursuing their dreams.
We offer three scholarships to students to help them reach their dreams.
Imagine! Believe! Achieve! helps first generation high school seniors imagine their future by supporting their pursuit of post-secondary education at community colleges, trade schools, or universities with scholarships. The fund also empowers high school juniors and seniors to believe in their potential by providing financial assistance for externships, internships, clinical experiences, and apprenticeships covering essential costs like transportation, childcare and other experience related expenses. Together, we help students to achieve their dreams and build brighter futures.
You can make a difference in supporting a student’s opportunity to enroll in college, entry into the workforce or public service, enlistment in the military, or other, post-secondary plans.
IMAGINE Students’ Futures!
BELIEVE In Their Potential!
Help Students ACHIEVE Their Dreams!
Post-Secondary Scholarship
Imagine! Believe! Achieve! provides financial assistance to students pursuing post-secondary education at a community college, trade school, or university who may face additional barriers to achieving their higher education goals. This may include students who are first in their family to attend college in the U.S., Multilingual Learners, students who are economically disadvantaged, and students with disabilities.
Imagine! Believe! Achieve! aims to encourage students to pursue their educational and career goals and is awarded to those demonstrating a hopeful spirit, trust in their potential, and the drive to succeed.
Application window is now open and closes April 30, 2025!
Gateway to Careers
Imagine! Believe! Achieve! scholarship offers financial support to high school juniors and seniors enrolled in Fairfax County Public Schools’ career and technical education (CTE) programs, helping them work toward career certifications and advancement. This scholarship is designed to remove barriers to completing essential program activities, such as internships, externships, clinicals, and other requirements. It covers costs related to transportation, childcare, and materials—helping students gain the experience needed to succeed in their chosen careers.
Love Like Adam Scholarship
Each spring the Love Like Adam Foundation in collaboration with Educate Fairfax will award 2 graduating seniors who through the selection process meet the criteria of the Love Like Adam Scholarship.
The Love Like Adam Scholarship honors the memory of Adam Oakes by recognizing FCPS seniors who exemplify kindness, empathy, inclusivity, and strong character.
This annual scholarship supports students as they pursue higher education, providing financial assistance to help them achieve their goals. Each recipient receives $2,000 to assist with expenses such as tuition, books, supplies, room and board.
By celebrating students who uplift others, the Love Like Adam Scholarship keeps Adam's legacy of compassion and friendship alive.
The nomination period for 2025 is open and will close April 16.
FCPS CARES
FCPS CARES is an opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to recognize FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care.
Educate Fairfax sponsors monthly "employee of the month" celebrations in each of the five FCPS regions. These employees are selected from submissions to the FCPS CARES portal.
Do you know a teacher or FCPS staff person who has gone above and beyond recently? Go to the FCPS CARES Portal and let everyone know how much they are appreciated!
EVENTS
FCPS Employee Honors
June 2025
Recognition of FCPS employees for going above and beyond to help others and show they care.
FCPS Alumni Hall of Fame Ceremony
On September 23, Educate Fairfax hosted the third annual ceremony for the Fairfax County Public Schools Alumni Hall of Fame, to induct:
- Lt. Gen. James Clapper
- Tony Perkins
- Callie Brownson
- Michael Batt
- Amanda Andere
- Gavin Myers
- Sumeet Shrivastava
- Todd Stottlemyer
Thank you to Apple Federal Credit Union, Cox Business, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, Cigna Healthcare, Guernsey, Inc., I-66 Express Mobility Partners, Kaiser Permanente, Moseley Architects, and Ricoh USA, Inc. for their generous support of our alumni initiative!
Superintendent's State of our Schools
On October 23, FCPS convened business and community leaders to receive an overview of the current state of our school system and the superintendent's vision in alignment with the strategic plan.
Attendees were invited to partner with FCPS in achieving excellence, equity, and opportunity for each and every student.
