John Madden Legacy Commitment to Education: Year 3 update
Investing back in the communities where we live, work, and play.
April 4, 2025
At EA, we believe play is for everyone. That’s why we invest back in the communities where we live, work, and play, driving positive impact and creating opportunities for more people to unlock their potential.
In this spirit, we are excited to share an update on the John Madden Legacy Commitment to Education. Launched in 2022, this five-year, $5 million initiative supports Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) education for students.
In the past three years, EA has invested in some of the leading STEAM education organizations to create access and opportunity for thousands of youth. This includes introducing students to foundational skill sets through play-based learning, teaching problem-solving skills, and doing it in a fun and inspiring way.
Activating future-ready STEAM learning
Our partners play an essential role in this mission. Enabling students with support that will pave the way to college and beyond. Their work empowers students to explore STEAM fields and provides guidance every step of the way.
Mission Bit has made significant strides in enhancing computer science education by launching two in-school web design classes at local schools in San Francisco. The collaboration with the local computer science department is addressing crucial gaps in computer science education during regular school hours.
In 2024, Mission Bit reached a significant milestone of serving 10,000 students through classes and workshops on Intro to Game Design and VR and exposure to cutting-edge technologies.
As a result, 79% of Mission Bit students have expressed interest in pursuing careers in computer science or STEAM fields. This statistic underscores the impact of Mission BIt’s efforts to inspire the next generation to explore STEAM education through free, project-based computer science programs.
“When tech and culture come together–like in the best video games–it sparks curiosity, builds community, and turns students into creators, innovators, and future game-changers. This partnership with EA helps us bridge the digital divide and unlocks the new pathways for our students.” - Olatunde Sobomehin, CEO and Co-Founder of StreetCode Academy.
StreetCode Academy’s mission is to bridge the digital divide, empowering communities of color to achieve their full potential by sharing the mindset, skills, and access they need to embrace tech and innovation. The Culture x Tech programming initiative offers a dynamic blend of creativity and technology through courses like Design x Tech, Music x Tech, and Storytelling x Tech. This innovative approach introduces students to the fundamentals of design, music production, and the art of crafting compelling narratives. Plans are underway to expand this program with Math x Tech and Sports x Tech, further enriching students' learning experiences.
StreetCode Academy also partners with the Ravenswood School District in East Palo Alto to provide after-school makerspace activities on campus, tech support and parent education workshops. A significant 80% of students felt that they now have the skills necessary to succeed in the tech field.
Looking ahead, StreetCode Academy will be hosting the 2025 Tech Tourney this fall — a high-energy event designed to ignite youth interest at the crossroads of technology and basketball culture. Through hands-on, tech-immersive educational activities and competitions, the Tech Tourney aims to both inspire and equip the next generation with a vision for tech-enabled careers in the world of sports.
Girls Who Code is closing the gender gap in tech by empowering students with technical skills, a supportive community and access to careers in the industry. We’ve been supporting the Clubs program, a free and flexible curriculum for 3rd-12th graders of any skill level to learn coding concepts for all programming languages. Students work in teams on projects for their community that solve real-world problems.
Beyond skill-building, Clubs support students’ social-emotional development and confidence-building through an emphasis on community and spotlighting diverse tech innovators. Girls Who Code alumni are earning computer science and related degrees at 7x the national US average.
At their Oakland Center, College Track provides vital support to serve more than 500 students who will be the first in their families to attend college a year. Their mission is to equip students confronting systemic barriers to earn a bachelor’s degree and use that degree to unlock a meaningful career.
The program prepares and inspires all students and families to chart their course to college by offering individualized coaching, academic learning labs, and STEAM career exploration. With College Track’s support, there has been an increase in the number of college applications as students are inspired to unlock their purpose and explore new career pathways.
Creating pathways to opportunity with scholarships
The EA Madden Scholarship Program provides 24 students from select HBCUs with financial support, mentoring, career readiness support, and a behind-the-scenes experience with EA SPORTS Madden NFL game developers and studio leaders each year. This initiative is dedicated to advancing STEAM education and skill development through strategic partnerships.
On April 2-3, the scholarship recipients visited EA Orlando for a fun learning experience with studio visits, interactive meetings with leadership, and networking opportunities. As the home for the EA SPORTS American Football and Madden NFL franchise, EA Orlando provides a unique opportunity for students to experience firsthand how STEAM skills translate into game development, reinforcing the connection between education and technology innovation.
Playing for a better tomorrow
As we reflect on the progress of the EA John Madden Legacy Commitment to Education fund, we are inspired by the incredible impact it’s having on students’ lives.
At EA, we are committed to playing for a better tomorrow. By investing in next-generation STEAM skills, we empower learners to become creative visionaries. Connecting play with learning helps students unlock their potential and creates a future where everyone can play, learn, and thrive. Learn more.
