Educate Fairfax has announced its grantees for the 2024-25 school year after a highly competitive application process. This year, the organization awarded 107 grants across 100 Fairfax County Public Schools, including 24 Title I schools, totaling an unprecedented $180,273 in funding. This milestone represents the largest grant award in Educate Fairfax’s history and will directly impact nearly 36,000 students.
This record-setting achievement is made possible through the generosity of our donors, who believe in the power of public education to foster creativity, inspire innovation, and create equitable learning opportunities for all students. Among the supporters making this possible are community leaders such as the former Association of Fairfax Professional Educators (AFPE), I-66 Mobility Express Partners, and other dedicated donors.
Empowering Students and Supporting Innovation
The 2024 Educate Fairfax Grants provide students with the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive both academically and personally. These grants celebrate the ingenuity and commitment of FCPS staff, recognizing their dedication to creating meaningful, equitable, and innovative learning experiences. All funded projects align closely with the Educate Fairfax mission and the goals of the FCPS Strategic Plan 2023-30.
Some of the funded projects include:
Typing Club at Woodburn Elementary School – Teaching communication skills and preparing students for a digital world.
Composting at James Madison High School – Reducing food waste while educating students on sustainable waste management practices.
Sphero Robots at Greenbriar East Elementary School – Providing hands-on coding experiences for young learners.
Bridging Futures at Interagency Alternative Schools – Expanding student access to post-secondary opportunities through College & Career Fair participation.
Stories in Harmony at Holmes Middle School – Teaching students to connect their identities and cultures through music improvisation.
Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship at Parklawn Elementary School – Empowering students to run their own pizza company through Osmo Pizza Co.
Recognizing Impact and Looking Ahead
In offering congratulations to the 107 grantees, Educate Fairfax Executive Director Dr. Lynette Henry credited community support for reaching this milestone.
“This record-setting grant award was made possible through the generous support of our community,” Dr. Henry said. “These donors believe in the power of public education and have invested in projects that foster creativity, inspire innovation, and create equitable learning opportunities for all students.”
FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid also praised the impact of the grants, emphasizing the importance of Educate Fairfax’s role in bridging school needs with community support.
“Educate Fairfax helps propel our success by addressing needs and building bridges between our schools and the community,” Dr. Reid said. “I am impressed with the creativity of this year’s grant applications, and I appreciate the foundation’s ability to bring these ideas to life for our educators and students.”
Grant applications opened in September and closed in October, with all submissions reviewed by a blue ribbon panel of Educate Fairfax staff, FCPS leadership, and key community stakeholders. As part of the grant program, all grantees are required to submit an impact statement by May 30, 2025, detailing project outcomes and sharing updates through photos, stories, and social media posts.
Even though this was the biggest grant award ever, there are still unmet needs from educators and staff. Looking ahead to 2025-26, the goal is to increase funding so Educate Fairfax can support all of the 199 FCPS schools and centers. We need your support to make that happen.
See the full list of schools receiving grants and learn more about the innovative projects being funded: Educate Fairfax Grants 2024-25
To support next year’s Educate Fairfax Grants, please consider making a donation at EducateFairfax.org.
See all of the schools receiving grants and learn more about the innovative work that’s planned for inside and outside the classroom. Please note: scroll left and right in the window below to see the full project description: