Partnering for Progress: 66 Express Community Spotlight
Highlighting Local Organizations Driving Positive Change in the Region
Double Feature:
Educate Fairfax and SPARK
Partnering with Local Educational Foundations
To Put Kids in Optimal Position to Succeed
March 16, 2026 – Across the counties of Prince William and Fairfax in northern Virginia, more than 273,000 students attend 298 public schools and learning centers. Guided by dedicated teachers, administrators, and parents in both school systems, those students are being prepared to lead our region’s dynamic, technology-driven economy toward a promising future.
Year in and year out, I-66 Express Mobility Partners (EMP) community partners SPARK, the foundation for Prince William County Public Schools, and Educate Fairfax make sure those kids have what they need.
Educate Fairfax and SPARK, the respective 501(c)(3) non-profit educational foundations for Fairfax County Public Schools and Prince William County Public Schools, provide students with the resources, initiatives, and encouragement needed to be in the best position to learn, explore exciting career opportunities, and realize their full potential.
SPARK, which stands for Supporting Partnerships And Resources for Kids, serves more than 90,000 students across 99 schools and centers in Prince William County. As the education foundation for Prince William County Public Schools, SPARK connects businesses and community partners with schools to fund innovative classroom initiatives, expand STEM and hands-on learning opportunities, and remove barriers that stand in the way of student success. From supporting maker spaces and mobile STEM labs to organizing school supply drives, book distribution efforts, and in-school food pantries, SPARK works to ensure students are equipped, engaged, and ready to learn.
“Strong partnerships are the key to what we do. It’s because of our community and business partners that we can create and fund the beneficial programs that students might not otherwise have,” said Dawn Davis, SPARK’s executive director. “As we like to say, excellent schools are everyone’s business.”
Serving more than 183,000 students across 199 schools and centers, Educate Fairfax is the nonprofit foundation supporting Fairfax County Public Schools. The organization invests in innovative classroom grants, leadership development initiatives, and STEM-focused programming that expand what’s possible for both students and educators. Through scholarships, targeted funds like the Kids in Need and Innovators Funds, and community-wide drives to collect school supplies and food, Educate Fairfax helps close opportunity gaps and ensures students have both the resources and the enrichment experiences necessary to thrive.
“We firmly believe that our students are our strength,” said Dr. Lynette Henry, executive director of Educate Fairfax. “With strong partnerships from the community and the business sector, we’re able to provide our students with the best possible environment for exploring and learning.”
The support provided to schoolkids by SPARK and Educate Fairfax only means good things for K-12 education in Northern Virginia – which bodes well for the economic vibrancy of this region.
Backing Local Education From the Start
Educate Fairfax and SPARK represent two of the longest-running community partnerships sustained by I-66 EMP, the Manassas-headquartered transportation infrastructure consortium that designed, built, and operates the 66 Express Outside the Beltway in a public/private partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia.
In fact, supporting education (and STEM education in particular) throughout the region we serve has been a top priority of I-66 EMP since our public/private partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia began – even before the lanes of the 66 Express opened for business in November 2022.
What Our Partnerships with SPARK and Educate Fairfax Look Like
In 2020, SPARK chose I-66 EMP for the organization’s Business Partner Award. That was also the first year we teamed up with SPARK to sponsor and help judge the Prince William-Manassas Regional Science and Engineering Fair – and we’ve returned as a sponsor and a judge of the science fair in Prince William County nearly every year since.
In 2026 EMP expanded the support of future innovators and joined Educate Fairfax to sponsor and judge the Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair along with Prince William’s science fair.
“We thoroughly enjoy being part of the annual science fairs in Fairfax and Prince William, and not just because supporting STEM education is a key pillar of our community partnerships,” said Nancy H. Smith, I-66 EMP’s corporate affairs director. “It’s inspiring to see the students’ inventiveness and curiosity on display, so we’re pleased to team up with SPARK and Educate Fairfax to promote STEM learning and STEM thinking. There’s a lot of future engineers in those rooms.”
Supporting Education in Fairfax County
Our partnership with Educate Fairfax goes back to 2019, when I-66 EMP made our first contributions to the Kids In Need Fund and the Innovators Fund. We’ve continued regular support of Educate Fairfax’s primary initiatives, including a $13,000 donation for STEM-based grants in 2023 and a $15,000 contribution in 2025 to benefit the Kids In Need and Innovators funds.
In both 2024 and 2025, I-66 EMP funded a total of 35 need-based scholarships for students to attend the summertime Tech Adventure Camp. We were also honored to be named an Annual Partner of Educate Fairfax in 2024 and 2025
Including contributions totaling $67,500 to support the Access For All Fund during the COVID-19 pandemic and $15,000 to provide STEM-focused equipment to a pair of Vienna elementary schools, I-66 EMP has supported Educate Fairfax with more than $175,000 in contributions since our partnership began.
Connecting Prince William Students with Much-Needed Resources
Nothing should get in the way of a quality education. That’s why I-66 EMP has worked with SPARK to bring learning opportunities directly to students throughout Prince William.
With a $25,000 contribution in 2024, I-66 Express Mobility Partners helped spearhead SPARK’s initiative to bring a mobile STEM laboratory to Prince William County Public Schools. The mobile lab will provide hands-on science, technology, engineering and math experiences directly to students across the county. SPARK continues seeking additional business community support to secure the remaining funding needed to launch the program. The year prior, I-66 EMP contributed $23,000 to support the installation of new maker spaces at five Prince William County middle schools, expanding opportunities for students to engage in collaborative, project-based learning.
Building on that momentum, I-66 EMP contributed $20,000 in 2025 to support SPARK’s new Robo-STEM pilot program, which introduces students to robotics, coding and problem-solving through hands-on classroom experiences. The initiative is designed to spark early interest in STEM pathways while strengthening critical thinking and teamwork skills — helping prepare Prince William County students for the technology-driven careers of the future.
Looking Forward to the Region’s Future
Serving a technology-driven region such as Northern Virginia, I-66 EMP’s support for education in Prince William County and Fairfax County – particularly STEM education – remains a cornerstone of our community partnerships.
That’s why we’re pleased to be longtime partners of both SPARK and Educate Fairfax and anticipate growing those partnerships this year and beyond.
“Educate Fairfax and SPARK do amazing work to enhance K-12 education in our region,” said corporate affairs director Nancy H. Smith. “We’re proud to have partnered with these two wonderful organizations over the past seven years, and we look forward to supporting our local students as they get ready to be the leaders of the future.”
I-66 EMP Deepens Partnership with Boxes of Basics as 2026 Gold Sponsor
Making a $10,000 Contribution, 66 Express Operator Is a 2026 Gold Sponsor for PWC-based Organization Helping Kids in Need
Manassas, Va. March 5, 2026 – Building on an already strong and growing community partnership, I-66 Express Mobility Partners (I-66 EMP), the builders and operators of the 66 Express Outside the Beltway, is a 2026 Gold Sponsor for Boxes of Basics after providing the Prince William County-based non-profit organization with a $10,000 donation.
This marks I-66 EMP’s first year as a Gold Sponsor, an elevated level of support after serving as a Silver Sponsor for the previous two years — and a reflection of the company’s continued investment in the organization’s expanding impact.
In addition to its increased sponsorship, I-66 EMP recently served as a Supporting Sponsor of Boxes of Basics’ Community Leader Luncheon, held February 12 at Sweeney Barn in Manassas. The roundtable-style gathering brought together referring partners and community leaders to strengthen collaboration and deepen regional connections — a mission that aligns closely with I-66 EMP’s commitment to meaningful, hands-on partnership.
Also, for the second consecutive year, I-66 EMP will serve as the Piano Sponsor for Boxes of Basics’ annual Dueling Keys for a Cause Gala. This year’s event will be held March 7 at Heritage Hunt Golf & Country Club in Gainesville.
For each of the past three winters, the 66 Express operator has conducted warm-clothing collection drives to benefit Boxes of Basics. More than 350 coats, jackets, and pairs of gloves were donated thanks to the generosity of I-66 EMP employees.
“I-66 EMP has been one of our most consistent and ardent supporters over the past several years, and we’re delighted to designate them as this year’s Gold Sponsor,” said Sarah Tyndall, founder and executive director of Boxes of Basics. “Through their monetary commitments as well as their regular volunteer sessions at our warehouse, I-66 EMP helps us deliver clothing and other necessities to kids in need throughout Prince William County.
That commitment goes beyond financial support, with I-66 EMP team members regularly volunteering their time and resources to help advance the organization’s mission.
“It was an easy decision to increase our commitment to Boxes of Basics,” said Nancy H. Smith, director of corporate affairs for I-66 EMP. “Sarah and her team consistently show up for their community, and that’s reflected in the growth of their mission — including expanding into Fauquier County this past year. We’re proud to stand behind a partner that continues to broaden its impact across the region.”
About Boxes of Basics:
At Boxes of Basics, we believe that every child deserves to have their basic clothing needs met. Our mission is to provide children in need with a seasonal box of quality new and gently used clothing in their size. Our amazing volunteers hand-select and pack every Box of Basics, and tailor it for each individual child. When a child receives their Box of Basics, we want them to feel like they are opening a gift! Learn more at www.BoxesOfBasics.org.
About the 66 Express Outside the Beltway:
Part of VDOT’s Transform 66 Outside the Beltway program, the 66 Express Outside the Beltway is a transformative 22.5-mile multi-modal mega-project featuring advanced dynamic-tolling systems to keep traffic flowing at all times. The lanes provide Northern Virginia commuters, businesses, and mass transit with a reliable option to move people, goods, and services throughout the I-66 corridor, allowing drivers to Sit Less, Do More. Visit www.Ride66Express.com to learn more, and keep up with the 66 Express Outside the Beltway on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Partnering for Progress: 66 Express Community Spotlight
Highlighting Local Organizations Driving Positive Change in the Region
Pink Space Theory
Introducing Girls to the World of Science and Technology
Imagine you’re a student attending school in Prince William County. You’ve always been fascinated by high-tech gadgets—and the science that makes them work.
Now imagine the incredible advantages of getting to experiment with that technology hands-on, exploring the scientific, technological, and engineering concepts behind the latest and greatest advancements.
For hundreds of students across Northern Virginia, local nonprofit and 66 Express community partner Pink Space Theory makes those advantageous experiences a reality.
Pink Space Theory is a mobile STEM-focused educational outreach organization providing “maker spaces” in which students can “create, invent, tinker, explore, and solve real-world challenges” by leveraging their growing knowledge of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. Founded by president and CEO Monica Nichols, Pink Space Theory offers a variety of engaging workshops and programs targeting students from kindergarten through high school.
“Our motto is ‘Creating space for the love of learning’ and that perfectly describes our mission,” Ms. Nichols said. “We work every day to provide students with fun, unique, engaging learning opportunities that inspire them to want to learn more.”
One of those learning opportunities, a program called Game Changineer, teaches kids computational thinking through video game design. Another initiative, known as G.R.E.A.T. Math Minds, helps girls deal with and overcome math anxiety.
And a third, Make Tech Pink, encourages girls from disadvantaged communities to grow their knowledge of computer coding and technical skills by controlling a robot ball by the name of Sphero.
“We love watching kids gain more and more confidence in their knowledge and skills in STEM fields,” Ms. Nichols continued. “It’s well worth the time, energy, and expense required to provide these mobile maker spaces at no cost to schools across the region. But we rely on valuable corporate partners such as I-66 EMP to impact as many students as we do.”
The 66 Express Supports STEM Education in Northern Virginia
The partnership between Pink Space Theory and I-66 Express Mobility Partners, the builder and operator of the 66 Express Outside the Beltway between I-495 in Fairfax County and Gainesville in Prince William County, began in the summer of 2024.
The nonprofit was set to launch its Make Tech Pink program for the upcoming academic year, and I-66 EMP stepped up with a $6,500 donation to help fund the students’ hands-on experiential learning with the Sphero robot ball.
In November 2024, a group of students visited I-66 EMP headquarters in Manassas to design their own snowplows and learn how STEM principles apply to winter road maintenance.
The following February, the roadway operator teamed up with Pink Space Theory to Make Tech Pink again, sending a panel of experts to Swans Creek Elementary School in Dumfries on Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day. The students showed off their latest STEM projects and took part in a Highway Interchange Design workshop.
I-66 EMP reinforced its dedication to supporting STEM education by contributing $10,000 to the Make Tech Pink program in July 2025.
Just recently, in December 2025, the 66 Express operator held its second annual field trip for Pink Space Theory, again welcoming an incredible group of fourth and fifth grade girls from Swans Creek Elementary for a day of hands-on exploration. From building snowplows and testing them in simulated snow, to learning the science behind winter weather and how roadways are safely plowed, students experienced STEM concepts in action. They even stepped into the same simulator technology used by 66 Express plow operators, applying problem-solving skills to real-world transportation challenges.
Combining the impact Pink Space Theory has made on thousands of students throughout Northern Virginia with I-66 EMP’s commitment to supporting STEM-focused learning, the partnership between the educational non-profit and the roadway operator has much more to come.
“We’re delighted to say that Pink Space Theory is one of our strongest and most productive partnerships in the community,” said Nancy H. Smith, corporate affairs director for I-66 EMP. “By emphasizing the importance of STEM education – one of the foundational pillars of our community outreach – Pink Space Theory is creating a brighter future for students all around Northern Virginia.”
66 Express Drivers Raise Over $40,000 to “Drive Out Hunger” Across Northern Virginia
Campaign delivers major impact for local non-profits working to fight food insecurity
December 5, 2025 – Manassas, VA – Thousands of drivers helped make the inaugural “Drive Out Hunger” weekend a major success, raising more than $40,000 to support families facing food insecurity across Northern Virginia. Proceeds were distributed to four frontline organizations — Food for Others, Northern Virginia Family Service’s (NVFS) Hunger Resource Center, the Haymarket Regional Food Pantry, and the Prince William County Community Foundation’s CHOW Wagon — each serving as a vital resource for local families.
This year’s impact grew even stronger thanks to an additional $5,000 contribution from Cintra, a leading global infrastructure investor and one of the principal companies behind the I-66 Express Mobility Partners consortium. Cintra’s support underscores the partnership’s shared commitment to strengthening communities along the corridor.
In total, Food for Others received $17,500, helping expand emergency grocery distribution at a time of heightened seasonal need. NVFS was also allocated $12,500 to bolster food assistance and wraparound services for families working toward long-term stability. The Haymarket Regional Food Pantry received $5,000 to continue providing dignified, reliable support to western Prince William County, while the CHOW Wagon program was awarded $5,000 to deliver food and essentials directly to students in local schools.
“These partnerships allow us to reach families right when they need it most,” said Nancy H. Smith, Director of Corporate Affairs for I-66 Express Mobility Partners. “We’re grateful to every driver who helped their neighbors simply by choosing the 66 Express.”
I-66 EMP will continue supporting local families throughout the holiday season through its upcoming children’s winter-clothing collection benefiting Boxes of Basics.
Learn more about community initiatives and travel tips for the 66 Express Outside the Beltway at Ride66Express.com.
#66GivesBack #DriveOutHunger
I-66 EMP Grants $5,000 To Sponsor Willing Warriors’ Thanksgiving Dinner
The 66 Express Operator Honors Veterans and Their Families As the Holiday Season Begins
Manassas, Va. November 24, 2025 – Inside the dining room of the Warrior Retreat at Bull Run in Haymarket, Va., veterans of our nation’s armed forces gathered Sunday evening with their families and volunteers of the Willing Warriors organization to celebrate a patriotic Thanksgiving feast.
The vets and their families enjoyed fellowship and camaraderie over heaping plates of traditional Thanksgiving staples, courtesy of 501(c)(3) non-profit Willing Warriors.
“Our central mission is to create an environment where veterans can relax, re-charge, and re-connect with what’s important,” said Sarah Ford, executive director for Willing Warriors. “We love seeing our heroes and their families enjoying themselves here at the Warrior Retreat, and we’re grateful to partners like I-66 EMP for making it possible.”
I-66 Express Mobility Partners (I-66 EMP), the builder and operator of the 66 Express Outside the Beltway in Fairfax and Prince William counties, was on hand as a sponsor of the dinner, having contributed $5,000 to the festivities.
“Willing Warriors has become a meaningful partner for us over the years, so we’re delighted to show our support to our nation’s veterans during the Thanksgiving season,” said Nancy H. Smith, corporate affairs director for I-66 EMP. “This cause is especially close to home for us—many members of our own team are veterans themselves. Supporting Willing Warriors is one way we honor their service and show how thankful we are for the freedoms and quality of life they’ve sacrificed for.”
About Willing Warriors:
Willing Warriors began on July 12, 2012, as a volunteer and community-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing our country’s recovering wounded, ill, and injured military service members, veterans, and their families with programs that positively affect their well-being and lives. Willing Warriors operates The Warrior Retreat at Bull Run, a 37-acre estate overlooking the historic Bull Run Mountains in Haymarket, Virginia. The Retreat features two beautifully appointed ADA-accessible homes offering wounded Warriors and their families no-cost five-night respite stays. The stays allow the Warriors and their families a temporary escape from the day-to-day demands of recovery in a hospital or rehab environment. For more information, visit www.WillingWarriors.org.
About the 66 Express Outside the Beltway:
Part of VDOT’s Transform 66 Outside the Beltway program, the 66 Express Outside the Beltway is a transformative 22.5-mile multi-modal mega-project featuring advanced dynamic-tolling systems to keep traffic flowing at all times. The lanes provide Northern Virginia commuters, businesses, and mass transit with a reliable option to move people, goods, and services throughout the I-66 corridor, allowing drivers to Sit Less, Live More. Visit www.Ride66Express.com to learn more, and keep up with the 66 Express Outside the Beltway on Facebook and Twitter.
66 Express Earns Highly Commended Recognition for Best Operational Project at 2025 P3 Awards
Another Prestigious Honor Adds to the Multi-Modal Roadways Growing Record of P3 Excellence Since Opening in 2022
Manassas, Va. October 24, 2025– At a black-tie ceremony held beneath the soaring ceilings of Guastavino’s in New York City, the 66 Express Outside the Beltway earned Highly Commended recognition in the Best Operational Project category at the prestigious 2025 P3 Awards presented by P3 Bulletin on October 22.
The accolade places the 66 Express among the top public-private partnership (P3) projects in operation worldwide – highlighting the project’s continued excellence in delivering efficiency, reliability, and public benefit through innovative infrastructure operations.
It’s the second time the P3 Awards have bestowed a high-profile honor upon the 66 Express, and the fourth major industry award the transformative project – which, at more than $4 billion in private investment, constitutes the largest P3 project in the United States this century – has collected.
In 2023, I-66 Express Mobility Partners – the consortium of private developers Cintra, Meridiam, and APG, contracted to operate the 66 Express in partnership with the Virginia Department of Transportation through 2066 – was cited as the Best Road, Bridge, or Tunnel Project for that year.
Earlier that year, I-66 EMP was named the P3 Project of the Year in the Innovation of the Year category by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA).
Recognition of the P3 project began well before construction was completed. In 2018, IJGlobal America and Infrastructure Investor selected the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway as the North American Road Deal of the Year as well as the Global PPP Deal of the Year and the North American PPP Deal of the Year.
A contingent of senior-level personnel from I-66 EMP were on hand to gratefully accept the latest award.
“We’re beyond thrilled to earn this recognition as ‘Highly Commended’ for the P3 Awards’ Best Operational Project. It’s an honor and a privilege,” said Ruben Roman, I-66 EMP CEO. “This latest recognition is a testament to all the hard work, dedication, and innovation of everyone at I-66 EMP, and we’re proud to bring it home to Northern Virginia.”
The full list of this year’s awardees is published at www.P3Awards.com.
About the 66 Express Lanes Outside the Beltway:
Part of VDOT’s Transform 66 Outside the Beltway program, the 66 Express Outside the Beltway is a transformative 22.5-mile multi-modal mega-project featuring advanced dynamic-tolling systems to keep traffic flowing at all times. The lanes provide Northern Virginia commuters, businesses, and mass transit with a reliable option to move people, goods, and services throughout the I-66 corridor, allowing drivers to Sit Less, Live More. Visit www.Ride66Express.com to learn more, and keep up with the 66 Express on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
About I-66 Express Mobility Partners:
I-66 Express Mobility Partners (EMP) is a consortium of leading infrastructure companies including Cintra, Meridiam, and APG. In public-private partnership (P3) with VDOT, I-66 EMP is contracted to operate the 66 Express Lanes Outside the Beltway through 2066. Connect with I-66 EMP on LinkedIn.
I-66 EMP Teams Up With DRIVE SMART Virginia To Encourage Good Driving Habits in Local High Schoolers
For Second Year in a Row, Roadway Operator Partners With Advocacy Organization for ThinkFast Interactive Assemblies at Four Northern Virginia Schools
Manassas, Va. October 22, 2025 – With National Teen Driver Safety Week taking place Oct. 19-25, I-66 Express Mobility Partners (I-66 EMP), the builder and operator of the 66 Express Outside the Beltway, is supporting DRIVE SMART Virginia with a $20,000 donation as the advocacy non-profit stages a series of ThinkFast Interactive assemblies at four Northern Virginia high schools.
According to Virginia State Police, October is statistically the most dangerous month for all crash fatalities on Virginia’s roads, including crashes involving young, inexperienced drivers. Working with I-66 EMP for the second straight year, DRIVE SMART Virginia seeks to improve those statistics.
“We are committed to empowering young drivers with the knowledge and tools they need to make smart, safe choices on the road,” said Kristin Pettway, executive director for DRIVE SMART Virginia. “That’s why it’s so wonderful to have I-66 EMP back again to support this year’s series of ThinkFast Interactive assemblies. We couldn’t make such a positive difference without supportive partners like I-66 EMP.”
ThinkFast Interactive assemblies present students with high-energy game-show-like productions designed to engage students with fast-paced questions and real-world scenarios. The assemblies emphasize the importance of using seat belts, driving sober, and avoiding distractions behind the wheel.
This year’s local ThinkFast Interactive assemblies are scheduled for Patriot High School in Nokesville on Oct. 20, James Madison High School in Vienna on Oct. 22, Westfield High School in Chantilly on Oct. 23, and Fairfax High School on Oct. 24.
“We were very impressed with the students’ overwhelmingly positive reactions to last year’s ThinkFast Interactive assemblies,” said Nancy H. Smith, the director of corporate affairs for I-66 EMP. “We’re excited to join forces with DRIVE SMART Virginia again, and we anticipate reaching even more young drivers this year.”
About DRIVE SMART Virginia:
Founded in 1995, DRIVE SMART Virginia is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to making the Commonwealth’s roadways safer by encouraging smart driving habits. This mission is achieved through educational campaigns, outreach events, and advocacy of traffic safety initiatives, backed by corporate and civic partnerships. Learn more at www.DriveSmartVA.org.
About the 66 Express Outside the Beltway:
Part of VDOT’s Transform 66 Outside the Beltway program, the lanes of the 66 Express are a transformative 22.5-mile multi-modal mega-project featuring advanced dynamic-tolling systems to keep traffic flowing at all times. The lanes provide Northern Virginia commuters, businesses, and mass transit with a reliable option to move people, goods, and services throughout the I-66 corridor. Visit www.Ride66Express.com to learn more, and keep up with the 66 Express on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About I-66 Express Mobility Partners:
I-66 Express Mobility Partners (EMP) is a consortium of leading infrastructure companies including Cintra, Meridiam, and APG. In public-private partnership (P3) with VDOT, I-66 EMP is contracted to operate the 66 Express Outside the Beltway through 2066. Connect with I-66 EMP on LinkedIn.
Partnering for Progress: 66 Express Community Spotlight
Highlighting Local Organizations Driving Positive Change in the Region
Educate Fairfax
Preparing Today’s Fairfax County Kids To Lead Tomorrow’s World
For the sustained health of a society and its economy, not much is more important than ensuring that kids receive the best education – and are in the best position to receive it.
That’s why the work of Educate Fairfax is so vital. As the not-for-profit foundation supporting more than 183,000 students spread across all 199 schools of the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) system, Educate Fairfax provides resources and support structures that give those kids a clear path to future success.
That support includes assisting students facing hunger and food insecurity, providing students with equitable access to innovative STEM-focused and other learning opportunities, and developing initiatives that encourage innovation and creative thinking through the Educate Fairfax Grants program, all while addressing gaps in FCPS funding.
I-66 EMP has been a staunch supporter of Educate Fairfax since 2019, three years before the 66 Express Outside the Beltway opened. After partnering together to advance several of Educate Fairfax’s most high-impact programs and initiatives – such as the Innovators Fund and the Kids In Need Fund, as well as the summertime Tech Adventure Camp – today the locally headquartered roadway operator counts Fairfax County’s educational readiness organization among our strongest Community Partners in Northern Virginia.
In addition, I-66 EMP has helped fund teacher innovation grants that support classroom-based STEM initiatives, providing educators with the resources to bring hands-on learning, new technology, and creative projects directly to their students.
“We’re very grateful to our friends at I-66 EMP for their steadfast support of FCPS students for more than half a decade,” said Dr. Lynette Henry, executive director of Educate Fairfax. “The contributions I-66 EMP provides year after year make a substantial difference in students’ educational opportunities, especially in STEM subjects. It’s with the support of partners like I-66 EMP that Educate Fairfax can help prepare so many students to be productive members of society.”
Keeping Fairfax County’s Kids On Course and Speeding Along
As a world-class transportation infrastructure consortium driven by innovation, I-66 EMP believes that a child’s education is strongest when STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering, and math – are emphasized and appreciated.
The partnership between Educate Fairfax and I-66 EMP began with an emphasis on STEM, when I-66 EMP provided grants of $15,000 to a pair of Vienna elementary schools for STEM-related resources and equipment.
Over the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, I-66 EMP gave a total of $67,500 to the foundation’s Access For All Fund in support of students in need of assistance through those trying times.
In 2023, most of I-66 EMP’s $25,000 in total contributions to Educate Fairfax was earmarked for the Innovators Fund, which augments STEM programming with equipment, supplies, and innovation labs in high schools around Fairfax County. Additionally, I-66 EMP donated $5,000 to the Kids In Need Fund that year.
STEM was again high on the partnership’s agenda the following year. I-66 EMP funded needs-based scholarships for 10 Fairfax County elementary school students to attend Tech Adventure Camp in the summer of 2024, giving kids a chance to explore a diverse range of subjects from business and marketing to STEM and technical trades. That November, the roadway operator made an additional donation of $13,000 to Educate Fairfax’s grant program in direct support of STEM education in the county.
The year 2024 was also when I-66 EMP earned the status of Annual Partner with Educate Fairfax.
Strengthening the partnership in 2025, I-66 EMP funded another 25 Tech Adventure Camp scholarships, and made a $15,000 contribution to support Educate Fairfax’s Innovators and Kids In Need programs. This fall, I-66 EMP also provided $8,000 in teacher grants to support additional classroom STEM initiatives, helping teachers enhance lessons with interactive projects, lab experiences, and technology tools that spark student curiosity.
“Fairfax County is one of the major economic engines of the Commonwealth, and these kids represent the future of that economy,” said Nancy H. Smith, I-66 EMP’s director of corporate affairs. “Promoting STEM learning is absolutely vital. That’s why we’re grateful to Educate Fairfax for their amazing work providing STEM opportunities and preparing FCPS students to innovate and lead.”
Looking ahead, the builder and operator of the transformative 66 Express Outside the Beltway anticipates the partnership with Educate Fairfax to grow, especially focusing on STEM in Fairfax County.
“Our students are our strength. In fact, that’s literally our motto,” Dr. Henry pointed out. “With community partners like I-66 EMP on our side, our students are put in an even stronger position to succeed.”
Partnering for Progress: 66 Express Community Spotlight
Highlighting Local Organizations Driving Positive Change in the Region
PWC Community Foundation
Giving PWC’s Kids the Nutrition and Education They Need To Succeed
Communities thrive when its kids get the opportunity to excel. By providing Prince William County’s kids with nutritional assistance and educational readiness, the PWC Community Foundation is helping ensure that the future of Prince William County will be a thriving one.
One of I-66 EMP’s soundest partnerships, PWCCF addresses the needs of our community’s children through a variety of high-impact programs. From its annual Back-To-School clothing and supply events to its CHOW Wagon nutrition initiative, the foundation fosters support from residents and the private sector, exemplifying its motto to Live Local, Give Local.
Fully supporting that sentiment, I-66 EMP regularly teams up with PWCCF to partner on programs that produce tangible results in the community – including hosting a Peanut Butter & Jelly (PB&J) Food Drive during the month of May 2025, which amassed more than 400 jars of peanut butter and jelly to benefit underprivileged kids in the county through the summer months.
“Summertime can be very difficult for kids from disadvantaged families, because often their school lunch is their most reliable and nutritious meal. That’s why the PB&J Drive held by our friends at I-66 EMP is such a tremendous benefit,” said Dr. Vanessa M. Gattis, president and CEO of PWCCF. “Hunger never takes a break, so it’s wonderful to have partners like I-66 EMP supporting our community all year long.”
An Established History of Giving Local Together
With our headquarters centrally located in Manassas, for I-66 EMP to partner with PWCCF is a natural pairing.
The builder and operator of the transformative 66 Express Outside the Beltway – which serves Prince William County from Gainesville to the Fairfax County border – has partnered with PWCCF since 2024, when I-66 EMP became an Ally Sponsor of the foundation’s Back-to-School Community Event. Making a contribution of $5,000, the roadway operator showed its support for the annual event, which increases school readiness by providing students with essentials like backpacks, supplies, and nutrition, health, and wellness resources, including dental screenings and vaccinations.
I-66 EMP repeated as an Ally Sponsor of the Back-to-School Community Event with another $5,000 contribution in 2025.
“Every year, the Back-to-School event benefits thousands of local families as they prepare to send their kids into the new academic year,” Dr. Gattis said. “And we couldn’t do it without the vital support of partners like I-66 EMP.”
In addition to supporting PWCCF’s efforts to improve students’ readiness for the new school year, I-66 EMP partners with the foundation’s Combating Hunger On Wheels (C.H.O.W.) Wagon initiative to fight hunger throughout the community. In December 2024, the company donated $3,000 to aid the program in the delivery of healthy, nutritious meals to Prince William County kids who most need them.
The previous year, the CHOW Wagon served more than 194,000 meals to nearly 20,000 local families.
“We couldn’t ask for a more synergistic partnership than the one we share with the Prince William County Community Foundation,” said Nancy H. Smith, corporate affairs director for I-66 EMP. “Their work supporting public education and fighting food insecurity aligns perfectly with our mission to help improve the quality of life in the communities we serve. Partnering with PWCCF epitomizes one of the mottos we work by: #66GivesBack.”
With I-66 EMP’s Sponsorship, PWCCF Gearing Up For Back-To-School Community Event
Families Throughout Prince William County Are Encouraged To Attend for Supplies and Other Readiness Resources
Manassas, Va. July 24, 2025 – Summer may be in full swing, but it won’t be long before kids across Northern Virginia will be stuffing books, laptops, and supplies into their backpacks and heading off to school.
As it has done annually since 2021, the Prince William County Community Foundation (PWCCF) is working to ensure our area’s kids have everything they need to make the upcoming academic year a brilliant success.
For the second consecutive year, I-66 EMP is pleased to join PWCCF as a Silver Sponsor of this year’s Back-To-School Community Event, scheduled for August 2 at Gar-Field Senior High School at 14000 Smoketown Road in Woodbridge. As announced in an April 7 press release, the builder and operator of the 66 Express Outside the Beltway provided a $5,000 contribution to support the event, which is held in partnership between PWCCF and Prince William County Public Schools (PWCPS).
All families with school-aged children are invited to attend the Back-To-School Community event, which regularly provides thousands of local students with backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils, and other supplies, as well as access to required vaccinations.
“This year’s Back-To-School event will be here before you know it, so we encourage families to put it on their calendar,” said Dr. Vanessa M. Gattis, president and CEO of PWCCF. “Our goal is to put students in the best position to succeed, and with I-66 EMP as a Silver Sponsor, this event is ready to do exactly that.”
I-66 EMP was a Silver Sponsor of PWCCF’s Back-To-School Community Event in 2024 as well.
“For us, it was an easy decision to return as a sponsor of this worthwhile event,” said Nancy H. Smith, corporate affairs director for I-66 EMP. “PWCCF is a wonderful partner to work with, and the number of kids they help prepare for school goes up every year. We’re really looking forward to this year’s Back-To-School event and hope to see families from across the county at Gar-Field High School on August 2.”
About Prince William County Community Foundation, Inc.:
Founded in 2018 by president and CEO Dr. Vanessa M. Gattis, the Prince William County Community Foundation (PWCCF) is dedicated to improving the quality of life for PWC residents through initiatives focused on healthcare, education, well-being, and food security. PWCCF operates various programs, including scholarships, micro-grants, the C.H.O.W. Wagon initiative, and a Back-To-School community event providing vaccinations and supplies to improve school readiness. More about PWCCF can be found at www.PWCCFoundation.org.
About the 66 Express Outside the Beltway:
Part of VDOT’s Transform 66 Outside the Beltway program, the lanes of the 66 Express are a transformative 22.5-mile multi-modal mega-project featuring advanced dynamic-tolling systems to keep traffic flowing at all times. The lanes provide Northern Virginia commuters, businesses, and mass transit with a reliable option to move people, goods, and services throughout the I-66 corridor, allowing drivers to Sit Less, Live More. Visit www.Ride66Express.com to learn more, and keep up with the 66 Express on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About I-66 Express Mobility Partners:
I-66 Express Mobility Partners (EMP) is a consortium of leading infrastructure companies including Cintra, Meridiam, and APG. In public-private partnership (P3) with VDOT, I-66 EMP is contracted to operate the 66 Express Outside the Beltway through 2066. Connect with I-66 EMP on LinkedIn.
