Education doesn't just change lives—it powers stronger communities and increases economic opportunity for generations. That belief drives the Applied Materials Foundation and our broader Applied for Good strategy to champion educational success.

Throughout 2026, Applied Materials employees, nonprofit partners, and community leaders came together to support student access to critical resources, inspire a love of learning, and remove barriers that can stand between talented students and their dreams. From helping families prepare for the start of the school year to supporting future engineers on the path to graduation, our collective efforts are making a meaningful difference at every stage of the educational journey.

Supporting Students and Educators Through Employee Volunteerism

One of the most powerful ways we create impact is by connecting employees directly with the communities where we live and work. Across our work sites, employees have stepped forward to support students, educators and families through hands-on volunteer opportunities that bring learning to life.

Employee Impact at a Glance

In 2026, Applied Materials employees have made a significant contribution toward strengthening education in our communities:

• More than 2,000 students supported through back-to-school initiatives  
• 10 education activation events across North America locations, including virtual events
• 500+ employees volunteering their time in classrooms and with summer learning programs

Together, these volunteer efforts demonstrate how employees bring Applied’s culture of purpose to life and help create pathways to opportunities for young learners. Some examples of large-scale impact activities are highlighted below.

Helping Students Start the School Year Ready to Learn

For thousands of families, back-to-school season can bring financial stress alongside the excitement of a new school year. This summer, the Applied Materials Foundation partnered with Sunnyvale Community Services to help equip local students with the tools they needed to start the year with confidence.

The Foundation funded school supplies for Sunnyvale Community Services' Ready to Learn program, helping more than 2,000 students prepare for the school year. More than 120 Applied Materials employees and family members joined together during a Community Volunteer Day to sort, pack and distribute backpacks and school supplies.

The event demonstrated what's possible when employees, community organizations, and local leaders work together toward a common goal. Applied Materials President and CEO Gary Dickerson joined volunteers alongside Sunnyvale Mayor Larry Klein, reinforcing a shared commitment to supporting students and families in our local community.

When students walk into the classroom equipped with the resources they need, they can focus on what matters most: learning, growing and reaching their full potential.

Spreading the Love of Reading

This year, Applied Materials employees also partnered with nonprofits and community organizations in Silicon Valley and Austin to expand access to books and encourage a lifelong love of reading.

More than 100 volunteers helped build 20 Little Free Libraries and donated 2,000 books for children and families. Volunteers also wrote more than 250 personalized encouragement cards to inspire young readers throughout their educational journey.

In Silicon Valley, employees collaborated with the Sunnyvale School District, City of Sunnyvale, Sunnyvale Public Library and Friends of the Sunnyvale Library to create lasting neighborhood resources that support literacy and learning. In Austin, employees worked alongside organizations including AVANCE-Austin, El Buen Samaritano, Armstrong Community Music School, Travis County Parks Foundation and Leadership Austin to create learning-rich environments that encourage reading, creativity and STEAM exploration.

These efforts support critical educational milestones, including kindergarten readiness, reading proficiency, and academic confidence. Every book placed on a library shelf represents a new opportunity for a child to discover, imagine, and learn.

Investing in Educational Opportunity Through Strategic Grants

While volunteerism creates immediate and visible impact, the Applied Materials Foundation also supports educational success through strategic grantmaking focused on long-term outcomes.

The Applied Materials Foundation’s impact area of educated communities is designed to support key leverage points throughout a student's educational journey, from early literacy and academic readiness to career exploration and workforce preparation. Building upon the Foundation’s decades of educational investment totaling more than $150 million in the United States, the Foundation donated over $10 million in 2026 alone to keep driving progress in key educational inflection points.

Through partnerships with schools, libraries, nonprofits and community organizations, Applied Materials Foundation grants help expand access to educational resources and experiences that may otherwise be out of reach for many students and families.

Programs focused on literacy development, STEM enrichment, out-of-school learning opportunities, and student success continue to strengthen educational ecosystems in communities around the world. By investing in organizations with deep local expertise, we are helping ensure students have access to the resources, support systems and opportunities they need to thrive.

The impact of these partnerships extends far beyond a single school year. They help build stronger communities, support educators, and create conditions where students can succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

Momentum Fund: Investing in the Next Generation of Engineers

Our commitment to education doesn't end in K-12 classrooms. We are equally committed to supporting students as they pursue higher education and prepare for careers in the semiconductor industry. One of the most impactful examples is the Applied Materials Momentum Fund, created in partnership with the Last Mile Education Fund .

Every year, thousands of engineering students leave school due to unexpected financial challenges. Often, relatively small expenses such as unexpected housing cost increases, transportation needs, medical bills, or tuition increases create barriers that can derail years of hard work.

The Momentum Fund is designed to address those challenges directly, providing timely financial assistance that helps talented students stay enrolled, complete their degrees, and enter the workforce.

This year marks the third anniversary of the program, and the results demonstrate the power of targeted support at critical moments in a student's academic journey.

Since launching the partnership, the Momentum Fund has:

• Over 350 Momentum Scholars
• Reached students across 37 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia
• Supported students representing more than 160 colleges and universities

The impact is deeply personal for the students involved.

"This award made a huge impact. Covering my tuition alongside Applied Materials funding a meal plan to feed me all through next semester was exactly what I needed to boost my confidence in succeeding in my final year. I do not need to worry as much about how I am going to pay for things and can focus more on my studies." -2026 Momentum Scholar

Just as importantly, Momentum Scholars are helping strengthen the future STEM workforce. Several scholars have gone on to join Applied Materials, demonstrating how investments in education today help build the skilled workforce our industry will depend on tomorrow.

Building Pathways to Possibility

Educational opportunity is more than an investment in individual students—it is an investment in stronger communities, greater economic mobility and the talent that will drive future innovation.

By supporting learners from early literacy through higher education and career preparation, Applied Materials and the Applied Materials Foundation are helping create a more connected pathway from potential to possibility.

From first books to first careers, we are investing in the ideas, skills and people who will shape what comes next.