Fund to provide financial support for women in region pursuing STEM education and careers
MCLEAN, Va., Jan. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC), the membership and trade association representing the technology community in Northern Virginia, today announced the new NVTC Foundation Kilberg Scholarship Fund. This fund has raised an initial $110,000 to provide financial support for women in the Northern Virginia region who are pursuing higher education in STEM-related fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and who demonstrate leadership promise and potential in the technology field. Bobbie Kilberg served as the Northern Virginia Technology Council’s President and CEO from 1998 – 2020.
According to a 2018 Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data, women currently remain highly underrepresented in software engineering and computer science-related jobs (14% and 25% of total workforce, respectively). Further, women software engineer hires have only increased 2% over the last 20 years. The establishment of this scholarship fund will help close these gaps for women pursuing STEM careers. It also serves as a continuation of Bobbie Kilberg’s life-long spirit of community service in the Northern Virginia technology community.
“Since Bobbie Kilberg announced her retirement in the fall of 2019, NVTC set out to find the best way to honor her legacy and long-standing commitment to this region,” said Jennifer Taylor, president and CEO of NVTC. “Creating greater access and providing resources for women – no matter their background – to secure in-demand jobs in the tech industry, is not only a personal passion of mine, but also critically important to build a diverse and talented workforce and industry. I’m thrilled that NVTC can foster opportunities for more women who want to pursue tech careers.”
The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia (CFNOVA), a public charity that helps grow philanthropy, will manage the scholarship fund on behalf of the NVTC Foundation.
“I’m so grateful for this opportunity to give back to the community where I served over the last two decades. I am constantly inspired by the region’s women technology leaders and am proud to help empower future generations of leaders in the industry,” said Bobbie Kilberg, president emeritus and strategic advisor to NVTC.
“This scholarship fund not only reflects both NVTC’s and Bobbie Kilberg’s continued dedication to support and invest in the next generation of women technology leaders, but the Community Foundation’s commitment to building a community that works for everyone by investing in students throughout our region,” said Eileen Ellsworth, president and CEO of the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia (CFNOVA). “We’re thrilled to support the NVTC Foundation to invest in the region’s best and brightest young women.”
The call for applications is now open for those interested in applying for the Kilberg Scholarship. In its inaugural year, five scholarship recipients will each be awarded up to $5,000. The application period will close April 9, 2021 and winners will be notified in June 2021, with a formal announcement of winners in July at CFNOVA’s Cocktails & Conversations event.
For those interested in donating to the fund, a donation page has been created. All donations are tax deductible. CFNOVA will be responsible for collecting donations and managing applications for the scholarship.
For more information on the scholarship fund, details on how to apply and more, please visit https://www.cfnova.org/scholarship/nvtc-foundation-kilberg-scholarship-fund.
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About the Northern Virginia Technology Council
The Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) is the trade association representing the Northern Virginia technology community. As one of the nation’s largest technology councils, NVTC serves companies from all sectors of the industry, from small businesses and startups to Fortune 100 technology companies, as well as service providers, academic institutions, foreign embassies, nonprofit organizations and government agencies. More than 500 member companies make up the NVTC membership and look to the organization as a resource for networking and educational opportunities, peer-to-peer communities, policy advocacy, industry promotion, fostering of strategic relationships, and branding of the region as a major global technology center. Learn more at http://www.nvtc.org.
About The NVTC Foundation
The NVTC Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit, was established to provide support for under-served members of the Greater Washington community. Currently the foundation supports transitioning military service members, Veterans and military spouses through the NVTC Veterans Employment Initiative (VEI). Additionally, the NVTC Foundation Kilberg Scholarship Fund provides financial support for women in the region who are pursuing higher education and demonstrate leadership promise and potential in the technology field. For more information visit http://www.nvtc.org/NVTC/About/NVTC_Foundation
About Community Foundation for Northern Virginia (CFNOVA)
The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia grows philanthropy to respond to critical need, seed innovation and lead and convene the community. Comprised of donor advised funds, permanent funds, giving circles, and other charitable endowments, the Community Foundation connects donors to community and promotes a more equitable and inclusive prosperity that marries our economic strength with the full breadth of our diverse community. In 2020 the Community Foundation awarded more than $13 million in grants and scholarships. For more information please visit us at http://www.cfnova.org.
Media Contact
Kara Mauceri, NVTC, 301-775-3322, [email protected]
Lexie Janney, Merritt Group, 540-520-3042, [email protected]
SOURCE NVTC
