Building Northern Virginia’s Future—Together
For students across Northern Virginia, opportunity often begins with exposure: the first time they code an app, build a robot, or see how artificial intelligence connects to real-world careers. In 2026, hundreds of middle and high school students will gain those experiences through hands-on STEM programs made possible by a strategic partnership between the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia (CFNOVA) and the Micron Foundation.Through the Micron STEM Opportunity Fund, CFNOVA and Micron are investing $190,000 in eight nonprofit and educational organizations delivering high-quality, career-connected STEM learning to students in grades 6–12. These programs emphasize engineering and physical sciences, responsible technology and AI learning, and strong measurement practices—ensuring students are not only learning new skills, but building confidence, relevance, and momentum toward future careers.
A Partnership Model That Creates Lasting Impact
The Micron STEM Opportunity Fund reflects what’s possible when global industry leadership partners with deep regional expertise. CFNOVA brings decades of place-based knowledge, nonprofit relationships, and community insight. Micron brings industry perspective, workforce alignment, and a long-standing commitment to the Northern Virginia region.Together, this partnership goes beyond funding individual programs. It strengthens systems, builds organizational capacity, and helps nonprofit leaders align education experiences with the skills students will need to thrive in a technology-driven economy.
“The Micron STEM Opportunity Fund demonstrates the power of pairing global industry leadership with deep regional expertise,” said Renée Byng Yancey, President and CEO of CFNOVA. “Together, we are investing in local programs that equip young people with relevant skills, exposure, and confidence—preparing them to participate in the economy shaping Northern Virginia and beyond.”
“Micron has been part of the Northern Virginia community for decades, and we know firsthand how critical it is to invest in STEM and AI education opportunities from an early age,” said Rosita Najmi, Head of Global Social Impact and Community Engagement and Executive Director of the Micron Foundation.
What This Investment Makes Possible
Across Northern Virginia, students are engaging in STEM learning that is practical, inclusive, and connected to real career pathways:- Meeting students where they are—from afterschool classrooms to mobile STEM labs parked outside Title I schools
- Building future-ready skills in AI, robotics, data science, engineering, and coding
- Strengthening confidence and belonging, especially for students historically underrepresented in STEM fields
- Connecting education to workforce needs, helping students envision themselves in high-demand technology careers
Stories From the Field
Learning Undefeated, 2026 Micron STEM Opportunity Fund GranteeSTEM on Wheels
Learning Undefeated’s mobile STEM lab brings hands-on experiences directly to school communities that might otherwise lack access. Students explore AI, cybersecurity, chemistry, and engineering—learning not just concepts, but how those skills translate into real jobs locally. “Bringing this learning directly to students removes barriers,” shared Alejandro Cardemil, Chief Development Officer. “It helps build the future STEM workforce of Northern Virginia right where students are.”
Creating the Next Generation of AI Innovators
Organizations like Boolean Girl and Comunidad are helping students move from technology users to technology creators—building and programming devices, developing machine learning models, and learning the ethical use of AI in the process.Confidence, Mentorship, and Belonging
Programs such as Latinas Leading Tomorrow’s STEMpower Camp and Techbridge Girls’ Data Science and AI curriculum combine hands-on learning with mentorship and college exposure, helping students see themselves in fields where they are often underrepresented.An Invitation to the Business Community
The Micron STEM Opportunity Fund offers a replicable model for corporate-community partnership—one that aligns workforce priorities with meaningful, measurable community impact. By partnering with CFNOVA, businesses can:- Invest in talent pipelines that support their future workforce needs
- Strengthen local communities through targeted, place-based philanthropy
- Leverage CFNOVA’s trusted nonprofit partnerships and regional insight
- Demonstrate leadership in preparing Northern Virginia for what’s next
2026 Micron STEM Opportunity Fund Grantees
The following organizations received funding through the 2026 Micron STEM Opportunity Fund:Aspire Afterschool Learning – Arlington County
Learning ROCKS (Grades 6–8)
Provides daily afterschool and summer STEM programming for 50 middle school students, emphasizing real-world problem solving, responsible AI use, and exploration of STEM academic and career pathways.
Boolean Girl, Inc. – Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax City and County, Loudoun County
Coding and Engineering Classes and Community (Grades 6–8)
Reaches more than 10,000 students annually with coding and engineering experiences, integrating AI creation, ethical technology use, and community-based learning.
Comunidad – Fairfax County
Coding Bootcamp for Teens: Microcontrollers and Machine Learning (Grades 7–12)
Engages 35–40 students from Title I communities in hands-on programming, microcontrollers, and applied machine learning.
George Mason University – Manassas
Spark STEM Camp (Grades 6–8)
A summer program engaging students and families in project-based STEM learning to spark interest in future STEM careers.
Latinas Leading Tomorrow – Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax City, Falls Church
LLT STEMpower Camp (Grades 6–9)
Two-week STEM camps combining robotics, AI, coding, mentorship, and college exposure for 50 students.
Learning Undefeated – Northern Virginia
Mobile STEM Lab Education Program (Grades 6–12)
Delivers career-connected STEM curricula directly to schools through a mobile laboratory model.
Loudoun Education Foundation – Loudoun County
LCPS Robotics Expansion (Grades 6–12)
Supports equitable access to competitive robotics programming for approximately 1,000 students as part of a developing K–12 pathway.
Techbridge Girls – Northern Virginia
Data Science and AI Program for Middle School Girls (Grades 6–8)
Engages 100 underserved girls in a multi-session curriculum focused on AI, data science, and community problem solving.
The Micron STEM Opportunity Fund is part of CFNOVA’s broader effort to convene partners, mobilize resources, and invest in solutions that create lasting opportunity throughout Northern Virginia. Together, CFNOVA and Micron are building pathways that ensure the region’s next generation is ready to learn, lead, and innovate.
Questions?
Questions?
