Educate Fairfax Awards Record $210K in Grants, Fuels Innovation for Nearly 47,000 FCPS Students

Educate Fairfax announced the results of its record-setting 2025–26 grant cycle, where it awarded 129 classroom and school-based grants totaling more than $210,000 to support innovative learning across 117 Fairfax County Public Schools. This funding will directly benefit nearly 47,000 FCPS students.

The number of applications in this cycle reached an all-time high of 258 proposals, representing a significant increase in educator requests for support.

The funded projects span critical areas including robotics, STEAM, special education, literacy, career and technical education, and fine and performing arts.

Dr. Lynette Henry, Executive Director of Educate Fairfax, celebrated the strength of the submissions while emphasizing the urgency of expanding donor support.

“Our educators elevated some of the most thoughtful, innovative ideas we’ve ever seen. We are honored to fund 129 applications, but we also had to turn away 129 equally worthy projects,” she explained. “That reality fuels our commitment to grow this program so every student, in every school, has access to the opportunities they deserve.”

Expanding Reach and Growing Need

With federal funding cuts to education, Educate Fairfax plays a key role in connecting community funding to FCPS’s highest-need students to create meaningful learning opportunities. 

Included in the grant recipients are projects at 30 Title 1 schools and 46 schools that had never previously applied, offering vital community funding to all corners of FCPS. 

Principal Benjamin Chiet at Timber Lane Elementary School noted the importance of the funds for community engagement, saying: “Family engagement is critical to the success of our students and our school community. During these uncertain times, this grant is arriving at a perfect time.”

FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle C. Reid praised the foundation’s role: “Educate Fairfax continues to be a vital partner in our mission. The creativity reflected in this year’s applications is extraordinary, and these grants bring so many ideas to life, strengthening our classrooms, expanding opportunity, and reinforcing the bond between our schools and the community.”

The 258 submissions underwent a rigorous two-round review by a panel of 52 community leaders, ensuring donations support projects with the highest potential for equitable, measurable student impact. Funding was made possible by generous partners, including the Doris Harwitz Endowment Fund, I-66 Mobility Express Partners, ITServe Alliance, and other committed community organizations.

A Call to Turn Every “Not Yet” Into a “Yes”

With only half of the grant proposals funded, Educate Fairfax is calling on the community to participate in its year-end campaign to expand next year’s grant pool.

“Our Board and staff share a bold, common goal: we want to fund every eligible application in next year’s cycle,” said Educate Fairfax Board Chair Katie Knight. “When educators’ ideas and needs go without funding, they often personally fund these, or students simply go without. With strong community support, we can ensure every qualified future applicant receives a ‘yes.’”

Community members are encouraged to participate in the “25 for 2025” Giving Challenge to directly fuel classroom innovation. 

To support next year’s Educate Fairfax Grants, please donate here.

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: