Booz Allen Foundation

Youth and Education: Establishing more inclusive pathways to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers continues to be an area of focus for the Foundation. STEM education improves learning outcomes in all areas of study, but too many educators lack the requisite materials and resources to design curricula that adequately prepare a diversity of students for the rigors of STEM career paths. On February 29, 2020, the Foundation hosted an Educators STEM Open House at Marymount University's campus in Arlington, Virginia. The event convened more than 100 representatives from local public schools, community colleges, universities, nonprofits, and private companies. Through a series of dynamic, interactive discussions and breakout sessions, attendees learned about the STEM skills companies look for in new hires and shared their perspectives on the challenges currently hindering inclusive STEM career pathways. The event also connected educators with resources that teachers can use in the classroom and highlighted several programs that students interested in STEM can get involved with.

Disaster Relief: The COVID-19 pandemic created a number of challenges for frontline workers, impoverished communities, and other vulnerable populations. In response, the Foundation established a $1 million Innovation Fund on April 30, 2020 and invited nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and startups to submit applications outlining actionable ideas and projects to help these populations build lasting resilience. After receiving nearly 3,000 applications from all 50 states, four U.S. territories, and Washington, DC, we selected 21 teams to receive grant funding ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. The projects selected included proposals to create mobile health units to serve at-risk communities; virtual reality simulations to train certified nursing assistants for elderly populations; innovative methods to increase the production and sanitization of personal protective equipment; and strategies for filling gaps in the social safety net for more than 25,000 vulnerable individuals. In addition to the Innovation Fund, to address food insecurity for families in need across the U.S., the Foundation matched Booz Allen Hamilton's $1 million gift to Feeding America in December 2020. The gift came at a time of significant need when much of Feeding America's initial pandemic response funds had been exhausted, and many of the organization's donors had turned their attention to other areas of need. The Foundation worked with Feeding America to allocate the funding to feed children outside of regular school settings, including school pantries, mobile distributions, snack sites, and weekend food-source sites.