Educate Fairfax Receives $131,000 Grant Donation to Support FCPS Educational Initiatives

On Friday, September 27, Educate Fairfax received a generous donation of $131,056.80 from the now-dissolved Association of Fairfax Professional Educators (AFPE). The former association presented the check to Fairfax County Public Schools and Educate Fairfax leaders in a ceremony at the Gatehouse Administration Center in Falls Church.

The donation is designated for Educate Fairfax Grants, which provide students across Fairfax County with equitable access to innovative education experiences that align with the FCPS 2023-30 Strategic Plan.

“On behalf of AFPE, we were delighted to make this significant contribution to Educate Fairfax so that these funds can continue the longstanding work of our Organization to assist FCPS teachers help our students,” said Mary Kay Downes, founding member and past president of AFPE. “We started over 25 years ago as a grassroots organization, completely independent of any national or state organization. Any licensed educator could join, thus we had instructional assistants, school counselors, teachers, principals, and central office personnel. Our dues were very low and provided the liability insurance that people thought they needed, but more importantly, we were able to devote our resources to fund teacher grants to continue education or to take part in programs which enhanced their teaching ability.” 

“AFPE is a professional association created by Fairfax County educators for Fairfax County educators,” said Becca Ferrick, past president of AFPE. “For over 25 years, AFPE proudly represented and supported the FCPS educators who serve this school system in its quest for excellence.  One way we supported our members was to offer grants for continuing education, professional development, and classroom projects. And although AFPE no longer represents FCPS educators, we continue to support them through this donation to Educate Fairfax Grants.”

Educate Fairfax’s mission is to energize the power of the community to invest in educational excellence and prepare students for the future. It is a 501(c)(3) non-profit education foundation that builds partnerships and raises funds to support FCPS students, educators, and schools. Since 2018, it has awarded 255 grants totaling $409,000, impacting more than 80,000 students.

FCPS educators, faculty, and staff can apply for a grant now on the Educate Fairfax website. Applications close October 18.