The Stafford Education Foundation, in collaboration with Amazon, the Stafford school system and the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank announced Monday night that Amazon has donated $560,000 to the foundation to expand innovative learning opportunities for students and strengthen support for families across the county.
“This investment reflects a shared commitment to supporting education, empowering local communities and creating opportunities for future generations,” Lisa Schooley, Amazon community engagement manager, said in announcing the donation. “By aligning classroom innovation with essential family support, the partnership delivers a comprehensive community approach to student success in Stafford County.”
The collaborative investment will fund two major initiatives: a three-year Sustainable Innovative Teaching Grants program totaling $360,000, and the expansion of community food access through additional automated food kiosks totaling $200,000. Together, these efforts will benefit more than 32,000 students, 4,700 staff and families across more than 38 schools throughout the division.
“This partnership represents what is possible when education, community and industry come together with a shared purpose,” Jessica Marschall, president of the Stafford Education Foundation, said in the announcement. “We are proud to invest in innovative classroom experiences, ensuring students have the resources they need to engage deeply in innovative learning.”
The Sustainable Innovative Teaching Grants program will empower educators to bring creative, hands-on learning experiences directly to students. Over the next three years, more than 200 classroom projects are expected to be funded, supporting STEM exploration, career readiness and student-centered instruction.
“Stafford schools is committed to providing engaging, relevant learning experiences that prepare students for success,” county Superintendent Daniel W. Smith said in the announcement. “This investment allows our educators to think boldly, innovate in their classrooms and create meaningful connections between learning and the real world.”
The investment also will expand access to food resources for students and families. Two automated community food kiosks will be installed in school locations across Stafford, building on the success of the existing model at Rising Star Early Childhood Education Center, installed in 2023.
“Accessible 24/7, these kiosks provide food in a way that preserves dignity and meets families where they are,” Dan Maher, the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank’s president & CEO, said in the announcement. “The expansion is expected to significantly increase the amount of food distributed each month to Stafford families in need, while also supporting other food insecurity programs such as the weekend meal program for students.”
The Stafford Education Foundation and Stafford schools will provide ongoing updates on program impact, including the number of grants awarded, students reached and families supported through expanded services.
