Foundations/Philanthropy

Learn more about the impact of foundations and philanthropy in schools
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School & District Management With $102 Million in Grants, These Districts Plan to Train Principals With a Focus on Equity
The new grant program from the Wallace Foundation will help eight school districts work on building principals’ capacity to address equity.
Denisa R. Superville, October 14, 2021
11 min read
According to The Campaign to Create a Julius Rosenwald & Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park, the two-teacher school was developed between 1926-1927 and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2009. The building is now owned by Cain’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, which sits adjacent to it.
The Russell School (also known as Cain’s School), a Rosenwald school in Durham, N.C., pictured on Feb. 17, 2021.
Jaclyn Borowski/Education Week
Equity & Diversity Video These Schools Served Black Students During Segregation. There's a Fight to Preserve Them
A look at how Black people managed to grow a solid middle class without access to so many of America’s public schools.
1 min read
Jane Carpenter, an alumna of the Scrabble School, discusses her experiences as a student at the Rosenwald school in Castleton, Va.
Jane Carpenter, an alumna of the Scrabble School, discusses her experiences as a student at the Rosenwald school in Castleton, Va.
Brooke Saias/Education Week
Equity & Diversity Video The Fight to Preserve Rosenwald Schools
Jane Carpenter Pollard, alumna of the historic Scrabble School located in Rappahannock County, Va. She and her six siblings attended the Rosenwald school.
Brooke Saias, July 13, 2021
10:50
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Education Funding Opinion Does Place-Based Giving Make It Harder for Funders to Get Reliable Feedback?
Big donors can be lulled into underestimating the financial, political, and information constraints of place-based philanthropy.
Rick Hess, April 19, 2021
3 min read
Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
Education Funding Opinion What's It Take for Philanthropy to Help Rural Schools?
Place-based philanthropy has enormous potential to revitalize rural communities. The trick is, it’s tough to get this sort of approach right.
Rick Hess, February 22, 2021
4 min read
Education Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Grants Aim to Help Students Amid Coronavirus Closures
It's one of the first philanthropy announcements related specifically to responding to educational concerns that have emerged as schools respond to the coronavirus.
Evie Blad, March 27, 2020
2 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
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School & District Management Education Is the Darling of Wealthy Philanthropists, But K-12 Is Losing Its Luster
Around the world, education is the largest recipient of philanthropic giving by a large margin, but in the United States, funders are moving away from investing in K-12 schools in favor of early childhood and higher education.
Christina A. Samuels, January 29, 2020
5 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
Jori Bolton for Education Week
School & District Management Opinion What Makes Teachers Thrive?
Susan Moore Johnson: What a failed $575 million investment in effective teaching got wrong—and what truly successful schools get right.
Susan Moore Johnson, September 10, 2019
5 min read
Education Funding Koch Network Announces New Education Lobbying Group, Walton Funding Pact
Philanthropic groups backed by Charles Koch announced a new political organization and support for an education incubator.
Andrew Ujifusa, June 29, 2019
4 min read
Arthur Levine in his office at the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation.
Arthur Levine in his office at the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation.
Courtesy of Arthur Levine
Education Funding Arthur Levine, Known for Harsh Critiques of Teacher-Preparation Programs, to Step Down
The 70-year-old president of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, who called schools of education “unruly and disordered,” will end his tenure this month.
Madeline Will, June 18, 2019
7 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
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Teaching Profession Opinion Why Have Education Politics Gone National?
The recent wave of teacher strikes reflects a broader phenomenon, blurring the boundaries between national and local school politics, write three education professors.
Jeffrey R. Henig, Rebecca Jacobsen & Sarah Reckhow, April 4, 2019
5 min read
Education Funding Gates Foundation, Chan Zuckerberg Asked for Big New Education Ideas. Here's What They Got
As the first step in a new R&D initiative they're planning for K-12 education, the foundation and venture-philanthropy group are highlighting innovative ideas provided by nonprofits, universities, corporations, developers, and educators.
Benjamin Herold, March 20, 2019
6 min read
Education Funding Opinion Politically Speaking, 'School Reform' Has Gone Hollywood
Over the last decade, 87 percent or more of the political contributions made by staff at leading school reform organizations went to Democratic candidates and causes.
Rick Hess, March 12, 2019
4 min read
Data Kansas City Data-Sharing Effort Showcases Ballmer Group's Strategy
A $59 million investment in software developer Social Solutions aims to ease the flow of data among schools and social service providers.
Benjamin Herold, March 4, 2019
7 min read