Education

K-12 Education Focus of Annenberg Mission Statement

By Jonathan Weisman — May 29, 1991 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

In the first mission statement it has adopted since its 1989 creation, the Annenberg Foundation, whose $1.2 billion in assets make it one of the nation’s richest philanthropies, announced this month that K-12 education would be its primary focus.

“I think a certain window of opportunity has opened up in this country,” Mary Ann Meyers, the foundation’s president, said last week of the growing interest in education. “We have an opportunity to make a difference.”

While the mission statement does not spell out specific areas of educational interest, it says a primary concern will be innovations in the communication of ideas and knowledge.

This month, for instance, Annenberg awarded $150,000 to Recording for the Blind Inc. to launch a math-and-science initiative.

It also gave $250,000 to Equinox Films to produce a four-part film on human languages, to be aired on public-television stations and in the nation’s classrooms.

Ms. Meyers said the foundation is currently in an “information-gathering phase.”

She said she has spoken to federal officials about possible math and science projects and will talk to the Bush Administration about projects that could supplement the President’s America 2000 education initiative.

The foundation awarded approximately $67 million in grants last fiscal year, when the focus was primarily on higher education, health, and the arts. Ms. Meyers said this year’s grants should total about $65 million, with about $20 million available for new projects.

The St. Davids, Pa.-based foundation was started by the publishing magnate Walter H. Annenberg with the proceeds from the sale of much of his magazine empire to the Australian communications tycoon Rupert Murdoch.

Annenberg’s move from traditional funding targets like the arts and higher education follows shifting focuses of other major foundations.

Earlier this year, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the nation’s second-largest philanthropy, announced that it would channel its funds to grassroots projects that promise to be a boon to education initiatives.

The Lilly Endowment in Indianapolis has nearly quadrupled its education and youth-program support since 1985. The Rockefeller Brothers Fund approved a new education fund a year ago, and the Pew Charitable Trusts approved new guidelines for education grants last December.

A version of this article appeared in the May 29, 1991 edition of Education Week as K-12 Education Focus of Annenberg Mission Statement

Events

This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Student Achievement Webinar
How To Tackle The Biggest Hurdles To Effective Tutoring
Learn how districts overcome the three biggest challenges to implementing high-impact tutoring with fidelity: time, talent, and funding.
Content provided by Saga Education
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Student Well-Being Webinar
Reframing Behavior: Neuroscience-Based Practices for Positive Support
Reframing Behavior helps teachers see the “why” of behavior through a neuroscience lens and provides practices that fit into a school day.
Content provided by Crisis Prevention Institute
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Mathematics Webinar
Math for All: Strategies for Inclusive Instruction and Student Success
Looking for ways to make math matter for all your students? Gain strategies that help them make the connection as well as the grade.
Content provided by NMSI

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Education Briefly Stated: March 20, 2024
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
8 min read
Education Briefly Stated: March 13, 2024
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
9 min read
Education Briefly Stated: February 21, 2024
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
8 min read
Education Briefly Stated: February 7, 2024
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
8 min read