Fairfax Futures Announces Grant Award From The PNC Foundation (2026-2027)

Funding will support the Annual School Readiness Symposium

 

CONTACT:
Tori Ongodia
Manager of Programs & Communications, Fairfax Futures
victoria.ongodia@fairfax-futures.org

 

FAIRFAX, VA, – Today, Fairfax Futures announced it has received a $40,000 grant from the PNC Foundation. This award provides multi-year funding for the Annual School Readiness Symposium, and is part of PNC’s Grow Up Great® initiative. The Symposium supports Fairfax County’s early childhood educators’ access to innovative learning, professional development, and networking with peers.

 

“The Symposium is Fairfax Futures’ signature event—an essential day of learning for our early childhood educator community. Participants eagerly look forward to the experience and return to their programs refreshed and inspired as educators,” states Sallyann Rodriguez-Sawao, Fairfax Futures executive director. “We proudly celebrate their unwavering commitment to our community."

 

In its 22^nd year, Fairfax Futures hosts the Symposium with Fairfax County’s Neighborhood & Community Services Early Childhood Programs and Services division to support a day of learning and networking for hundreds of early childhood educators, many of whom work in programs serving families of low-to-moderate incomes.

 

Plans for the 2026 Symposium are already underway and will align with Early Childhood Professionals Week in May to foster opportunities to elevate the profession through enhanced community recognition and engagement.

 

“PNC is thankful for those who choose early childhood education as their profession. We know that it hasn’t been easy the last few years and that the road ahead will continue to have challenges,” says Jermaine Johnson, PNC regional president for Greater Washington. “Children in early childhood programs in Fairfax County are our future employees and leaders, and we need them to be ready for a world that is constantly evolving. We’re grateful for those who invest in the region’s early childhood workforce and ensure that all children enter kindergarten ready to learn.”

 

Since 2004, PNC Grow Up Great has helped prepare children from birth through age 5 for success in school and life, supporting programs, resources and experiences that plant the seeds for a lifetime of opportunities.

 

The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, awards grants to nonprofits, like Fairfax Futures, to help advance high-quality early childhood education, as well as community and economic development.

 

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PNC Foundation
The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC), actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. Through PNC Grow Up Great®, its signature cause that began in 2004, PNC has created a bilingual $500 million, multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life.

Fairfax Futures launched as a nonprofit organization in 2004. Through the power of partnerships, Fairfax Futures catalyzes community-wide action and change so all children and youth achieve their full potential.