Apply for Funding
We invest in the ideas and energy of education leaders and entrepreneurs who are advancing innovative solutions that expand the definition of what works.
Funding
Direct financial support to advance your work. One-year, unrestricted grants range from $150,000 to $250,000.
Expert Support
One-on-one coaching and access to national experts.
Community
Connection with peer organizations across the country.
What We Fund
We support early-stage organizations and new initiatives within existing organizations in the following areas:
New innovative, public schools that support students to develop a strong academic foundation and skills needed for success in life
Reading and math solutions that build foundational skills and personalize learning to support student success, including GenAI powered solutions
Solutions that evolve how educators work, engage caregivers & community experts, and leverage genAI to make the role more sustainable and effective
Enhance teaching and learning for students with diagnosed and undiagnosed learning disabilities within and beyond our three main focus areas.
Our Investment Criteria
Alignment
We invest in visionary, early-stage education leaders and entrepreneurs with bold ideas that expand the definition of what works. Our focus is on creating new possibilities and a just future for all students, especially those furthest from opportunity. Ideas must align with at least one of our investment areas: Innovative Schools, Learning Solutions, Teaching Reimagined, or Learning Differences.
Idea
We seek bold ideas that combine new approaches with proven practices to improve student learning and advance equitable outcomes for all. We believe equipping students with a strong academic foundation, as well as essential habits, mindsets and skills within a positive learning environment, is key to this goal. (We call this an expanded definition of student success). We aim to have a catalytic impact on student success nationally, so we invest in ventures that seek to expand their impact significantly over time by growing their organizations, codifying and sharing best practices, or influencing the work of others.
Community Engagement
We expect innovators to engage their stakeholders – students, families, and educators – early and often to inform solution design and implementation. By understanding the needs, interests and aspirations of those they aim to serve, innovators can not only design better solutions but also build the relationships necessary to grow their impact over time.
Team
We seek mission-driven innovators who demonstrate passion, integrity, and the ability to execute their vision. Innovators should build diverse and capable teams with the right mix of skills and backgrounds to drive impact. Leaders should be open to collaboration, committed to building high-functioning teams, and be excited to participate in our communities of practice, which foster learning and growth.
Inclusion
We support teams that are dedicated to breaking the predictability of who succeeds in this nation. Research shows that teams are more effective in meeting the needs of students when they bring a range of experiences and have leaders and educators who share the backgrounds of the students they serve. We seek teams that are building organizations and solutions uniquely designed for students furthest from opportunity.
Financial Sustainability
We look for organizations with long-term plans for achieving financial sustainability through a mix of revenue sources, such as philanthropy, earned revenue, and government grants. Our focus is on supporting ventures that can secure the revenue they need to grow their impact over time.