Created to provide every Utah student with the opportunity to build the computer science skills needed for the future
The Community Foundation of Utah, in partnership with the Silicon Slopes community, established the Silicon Slopes Computer Science Fund in response to a growing need for stronger K–12 computer science educational outcomes statewide. By pooling donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations, the Silicon Slopes Computer Science Fund supports a collective, long-term strategy to improve outcomes for students, educators, and Utah’s future workforce.
The Need and Opportunity
- 82% of Utah high schools offer a foundational computer science course
- In 2025, 11.4% of Utah high school students took a foundational computer science course
- 87% of urban schools vs. 76% of rural schools offer computer science courses
- Utah students took 805 computer science AP exams in 2023, out of a total of 45,308 AP exams statewide; 23% of test-takers were female*
- Research shows that studying computer science is associated with higher test scores in math, reading, and science
- Utah currently has about 5,250 open computing and technology jobs
- The average yearly salary for computing occupations in Utah is approximately $94,146
*Note: code.org exam data as of 2023
Grantmaking to Date
While significant gaps remain to access computer science education in Utah schools, real progress has been made through the leadership and persistence of educators, industry partners, elected officials, academics, and nonprofit organizations. With the formation of the Silicon Slopes Computer Science Fund and an ongoing commitment of state funding, Utah is well positioned to build on this momentum, close opportunity gaps, and become a national leader in K–12 computer science education. Expanding access to computer science is complex work, and this progress is made possible through broad collaboration and a shared vision. Through the Silicon Slopes Computer Science Fund, that vision is supported by coordinated, strategic funding to help turn long-term goals into lasting impact.
Robin Merger Corporation Inc dba International Society for Technology in Education (multiyear grant 2024-2026)
Robin Merger Corporation Inc dba International Society for Technology in Education was awarded a $600,000 multiyear grant that supports professional development opportunities for teachers serving historically marginalized students along the Wasatch Front and in rural Utah.
College Board (multiyear grant 2020-2025)
Beginning in 2020 and through a partnership with the College Board, Advanced Placement (AP) computer science students who qualify for free or-reduced lunch have exam fees covered by Silicon Slopes Computer Science Fund scholarships, reducing enrollment barriers and expanding access to college credit.
Westminster University (multiyear grant 2023-2025)
Westminster University was awarded a $238,211 multiyear grant to provide summer professional development opportunities for Utah elementary teachers, with an emphasis on those based in Title I schools.
Computer Science Alliance (2023)
The Computer Science Alliance was awarded a $10,000 grant to support Utah computer science teachers attending the Four Corners Computer Science Convening, a conference focused on computer science educational opportunities for Indigenous students.
Salt Lake Education Foundation (2023)
The Salt Lake Education Foundation was awarded a $150,000 grant to support an E-Textiles initiative for elementary students and related professional development for their teachers.
Utah Coalition for Educational Technology (2023)
The Utah Coalition for Educational Technology was awarded a $1,500 grant to support the Utah Coalition for Educational Technology Four Corners EdCamp event for teachers and community members in Blanding, Utah.
Utah State University (2023)
Utah State University was awarded a $100,000 grant for their Developing a Computing Identity project, which aims to: increase computing identity and confidence for youth and teachers; expand access to computing activities for underserved rural and urban youth; offer engaging computer science activities and curriculum for diverse learners; and strengthen computing pathways through near-peer mentors.
Playworks Utah (multiyear grant 2021-2023)
Playworks Utah was awarded a $300,000 multiyear grant to expand its school-based programs, which use digital support tools to build students’ interpersonal skills while easing teacher workload.
International Rescue Committee (2021)
The International Rescue Committee was awarded a $10,000 grant to further develop programming that engages refugee students in computer science.
Computer Science Teachers Association (2020-2025)
The Computer Science Teachers Association was awarded a $200,000 multiyear grant to launch the Computer Science Teachers Association Utah Equity Cohort to provide equity-focused professional development for teachers statewide.
Fund Governance
The Silicon Slopes Computer Science Fund Committee (“the Committee”) serves as the grantmaking arm of the Silicon Slopes Computer Science Fund. Committee members set grant priorities, help design requests for proposals, review applications, and recommend grant distributions. They also review impact data from funded projects that is collected to analyze and inform future grantmaking.
Committee members:
- Alex Eaton, Community Foundation of Utah
- Nicole Reitz-Larsen, Canyons School District
- Fifi Teklemedhin, CS & Sociology Student at Harvard University
- Kristina Yamada, Utah State Board of Education
Fund Founders
The Silicon Slopes Computer Science Fund was established through the leadership and support of:
- Aaron Skonnard
- Ryan Smith
- Josh James
For donations greater than $2,500, please email
