BOOZ ALLEN FOUNDATION

By convening and supporting leaders and entrepreneurs from the public, private, academic, and social sectors, the Booz Allen Foundation is able to jumpstart innovative solutions and build pathways that help traditionally underserved communities achieve a brighter future. In 2020, we launched a $1M Innovation Fund, with the goal of helping entrepreneurial organizations tackle the myriad challenges introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic. We also continued our support of inclusive STEM education by hosting an educators open house and joined Booz Allen Hamilton in investing in Feeding America's efforts to combat food insecurity during the pandemic. These initiatives epitomize many of the ideas that underlie our work: the idea that innovative technologies can help traditionally underserved communities achieve a brighter future; the ability of the Foundation to convene a diverse array of stakeholders from the private and public sectors and provide a platform for these groups to turn ideas into action; the opportunity we have to jumpstart the next wave of great ideas and turn them into actionable solutions that make a difference in the world.

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.