Learn about grants for K-12 education by exploring the curated list of top education funders below. Members can also research K-12 funding opportunities by using the search tool for GrantFinder. Become a member.

K-12 Funding Trends

Education, and its capacity to improve lives and strengthen communities, has always animated philanthropy. As with many other issues, the trick is how best to target philanthropic dollars in an ocean of public sector funding. This work is not only the domain of foundations and other institutional funders like corporations, large and small, but also individuals — from small donors to billionaires.

While it’s hard to pinpoint all of the support, much of it goes to improve K-12 education outcomes, increase college readiness, and close the achievement gap. To achieve these and other goals, philanthropists support many approaches, including fostering innovation, promoting teacher diversity, improving curriculum and tackling the persistent digital divide. 

Education philanthropy is a landscape where new approaches to learning are often championed, debated, and in some cases, scrapped. For instance, the Common Core academic standards, which sought to introduce a rigorous approach to learning, have met a strong backlash and mixed results. Similarly, the charter school movement, once a hotbed of philanthropic activity, has more recently been tempered by problems with some charter systems and the failure of the approach to scale. 

In light of COVID-19, funders have increased support for social and emotional learning, improving teacher training and recruitment, alternative approaches to discipline, programs that prepare students for postsecondary success, early childhood development, and hybrid learning.

However, one issue that underlies all others pertaining to ECE funding is the yawning achievement gap in the U.S., despite millions awarded to education over the years. Even as the philanthropic sector pursued reform after reform for decades, the U.S. still consistently produces decreased education outcomes for low-income students and students of color compared to their affluent white peers.

K-12 Grants for Schools

ADAMS LEGACY FOUNDATION

This funder’s K-12 grantmaking prioritizes California, but funds some organizations beyond its state.

ADAX & ORYX FOUNDATION

The foundation’s education grantmaking focuses on reading, writing, and “the acquisition of a minimum education and practical professional skills.”

ADTALEM GLOBAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Adtalem Global Education Foundation supports organizations improving education quality, access to education, and student supports.  

AINSLIE FOUNDATION

The Ainslie Foundation makes grants in a variety of areas but prioritizes support for education, health, and the environment.

AKONADI FOUNDATION

Akonadi’s All in for Oakland initiative names school-based discipline and policing as areas of grantmaking interest. It also works more generally to restore “the freedom and futures of Black youth and youth of color.”

ALBERTSONS COMPANIES FOUNDATION

Albertsons Companies Foundation seeks out K-12 organizations that help students succeed in both school and life.

ALCOA FOUNDATION

The Alcoa Foundation approaches education on multiple fronts—by supporting large global organizations, by investing in small community organizations, and by creating partnership initiatives.

FRED AND JEAN ALLEGRETTI FOUNDATION

The Allegretti Foundation does not name priorities for its education funding but appears to give to both K-12 and higher education initiatives and schools.

ALLSTATE FOUNDATION

Allstate’s K-12 funding invests in preparing young entrepreneurs to “change the world.” It makes educational investments in socio-emotional learning.

ALLY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

Ally Bank’s employee giving program names K-12 education as a main priority of its giving.

ALL POINTS NORTH FOUNDATION

The foundation’s Education Grants support public middle school education in underserved communities, both urban and rural.

AMB FOUNDATION

While AMB doesn’t have stated grantmaking strategies in this space, the foundation’s grantmaking for K-12 education tends to broadly focus on college readiness, at-risk youth, language development, and many other interests.

AMERICAN LEGION CHILD WELFARE FOUNDATION

This foundation approaches child welfare broadly, including programs that address health, socio-emotional development, education and safety.

ANDERSON CORPORATE FOUNDATION

Anderson’s K-12 grants generally fund both social and educational opportunities. Grant tend to prioritize STEM education, school programs not covered by general operating funds, environmental outreach, and after-school programs for drug prevention and workforce development.

PAUL M. ANGELL FOUNDATION

The Angell Family Foundation is interested in K-12 early intervention programs for low-income, disadvantaged, minority youth. It prioritizes programs addressing academic skills, attendance, social skills, behavioral health, and trauma.

ANNENBERG FOUNDATION

This foundation’s K-12 funding concentrates on SoCal, but spends in limited quantities across the U.S., and invests in educational video programs, web content, and print materials for K-12 teachers.

AON FOUNDATION

Aon’s primary grantmaking focus is to educate youth, an area in which it funds increased access to quality education for underserved populations of the Chicago area and elsewhere. Some areas of interest include school readiness, school-aged children’s academic achievement, and college success.

MELINDA GRAY ARDIA FOUNDATION

This funder dedicates itself to integrating environmental classroom learning with hands-on field study for K-12 students, particularly projects that focus on ecology and conservation. 

ARGOSY FOUNDATION

Argosy’s K-12 funding works to “bring together local school leaders and university researchers to tailor promising innovations in curriculum” at the national level.

THE ASIAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION

The Asian American Foundation supports the Asian American and Pacific Islander community with grants for anti-hate, education, narrative change, and resources and representation initiatives.

AT&T FOUNDATION

AT&T K-12 awards are difficult to secure, but are possible through Aspire program for innovation in STEM education.

SUSAN A. AND DONALD P. BABSON CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

Babson’s K-12 grants tend to center around Massachusetts, investing in organizations whose work may be either domestic or international. Access to education and college readiness for underserved students are interests here.

BANK OF AMERICA CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

The philanthropic arm of one of the largest U.S. banks supports K-12 education with an eye toward 21st century workforce development. Its support focuses on community programs rather than individual schools.

BARR FOUNDATION

This funder’s K-12 giving primarily focuses on high school students preparing for life, college and work.

BAY & PAUL FOUNDATIONS

K-12 giving goes out nationwide to support "transformative learning environments that contribute to strengthening civil society."  

BBVA FOUNDATION

The BBVA Foundation supports programs at all levels of instruction for Pre-K and K-12 students and programs that develop, retain and support teachers. It also funds merit-based scholarships for underrepresented groups.

BEAUMONT FOUNDATION OF AMERICA

This funder prioritizes the Southwest, but its education awards support organizations beyond the region. It’s K-12 grants support college readiness and college achievement. 

BENGIER FOUNDATION

The Bengier Foundation supports K-12 education and youth in the San Francisco Bay Area and elsewhere in the U.S.

BENIFICUS FOUNDATION

K-12 education has been the Benificus Foundation’s largest giving area since the foundation’s inception.

BEN & JERRY'S FOUNDATION

The ice cream innovators support grassroots efforts for activism and change, with youth as a central focus. Education is key, but the foundation does not give money directly to schools or school-based programs.

BEZOS FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Bezos Family Foundation, built and run by the parents of Amazon's founder, is solely dedicated to enriching education for students—starting before formal education begins, continuing through K-12 education, and positioning students for college success and enriched lives.

JACOB AND HILDA BLAUSTEIN FOUNDATION

This foundation’s K-12 giving largely invests in Baltimore’s public education.

BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES

Bloomberg’s K-12 funding supports comprehensive education reform for K-12 grades in order to “strengthen America’s educational system by supporting effective policies aimed at improving student outcomes,” among related college success interests.

BLOSSOM FUND

The Blossom Fund supports “community-based educational and cultural projects in Brookline, Boston and Cambridge,” Massachusetts. It’s education giving centers on music and libraries.

BRADY EDUCATION FOUNDATION

The Brady Education Foundation supports educational research and program evaluations concerned with understanding and eliminating achievement gaps in early childhood and K-12 education.

BRAITMAYER FOUNDATION

The Braitmayer Foundation supports K-12 education throughout the United States.

BROAD FOUNDATION

The Broad Foundation focuses its K-12 grantmaking in urban areas only. It does not award grants to individual schools, but rather to entire school districts, charter management organizations, and research aligned with its focus.

BROWN RUDNICK CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

Philanthropic arm of the international law firm supports education in inner-city communities where the firm has a presence.

PETER AND CARMEN LUCIA BUCK FOUNDATION

The Buck Foundation awards millions of dollars in grants to charter school general operations and exapnsion, out-of-school K-12 STEM ed organizations, and the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Grants are awarded primarily (though not exclusively) in Connecticut and New York.

LAURA BUSH FOUNDATION FOR AMERICA'S LIBRARIES

A restricted fund of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, the foundation funds the purchase of reading and learning materials for school libraries at K-12 institutions with a high percentage of needy kids. 

LOUIS CALDER FOUNDATION

Calder's program areas are charter and parochial schools, teacher and leadership development, public policy, and STEM-related capital projects. There are no geographic limitations, but funding has tended to support organizations in the eastern U.S.

J. BULOW CAMPBELL FOUNDATION

The Campbell Foundation prioritizes organizations "that benefit the development and preservation of the Christian faith,” especially those in Atlanta. Yet independent schools, charters, and education organizations in the other states (Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina) also receive Campbell support.

CARNEGIE CORPORATION OF NEW YORK

The Carnegie Corporation of New York has a storied history in education funding, and it's one of the most influential K-12 funders in the United States. 

CARSON FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST

The charitable vehicle of businessman Russell Carson and his family, the Carson Trust's K-12 interests include charters, arts education, teacher training, Catholic schools, and out-of-school programs, primarily in New York City. Unfortunately, the trust doesn't have a website or clear means of applying for funding.

ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION

This funder approaches education initiatives aligned with its mission of supporting underserved children and their families.

HAROLD K.L. CASTLE FOUNDATION

Castle’s K-12 grants prioritized organizations working in Hawai’i.

CATHAY BANK FOUNDATION

The bank's charitable arm has lately given in limited amounts to K-12 education, with more emphasis on youth development and entrepreneurship. Funds go to programs in states where the bank has a business presence.

CELANESE FOUNDATION

The Celanese Foundation broadly awards grants to primary education schools around the United States. Its K-12 efforts center on supporting student success and high school graduation rates.

CERES FOUNDATION

The Ceres Foundation’s grants for education take a broad approach, focusing on K-12 education and some grants for higher education.

HARRY CHAPIN FOUNDATION

This foundation doesn’t have a specific category of K-12 education giving, but in practice, shows a consistent focus on this age group through its support of arts education and environmental education.

CHARTER SCHOOL GROWTH FUND

Charter School Growth Fund awards millions in charter school grants and loans around the country. "Growth" is the key word, as it's been aggressive in supporting the expansion of top charter schools and networks. 

CHINO CIENEGA FOUNDATION

Most of its support in this area goes to grants for higher education and to international organizations working to secure equal opportunity in education.

CITI FOUNDATION

Citigroup’s corporate foundation offers K-12 grantmaking through its Youth Economic Opportunities program. Citi awards its grants to organizations that work with low- to moderate-income families, but proposals and inquiries are by invitation only.

CLARA LIONEL FOUNDATION

The Clara Lionel Foundation supports climate resilience, disaster relief, racial justice, global health, immigrants and refugees, and other issues of interest to the founder in the U.S., the Caribbean and other countries around the world, particularly in Africa.

COCA-COLA FOUNDATION

The Coca-Cola Foundation and its affiliates back K-12 education efforts in the U.S. and around the globe. Many education grants include an overlapping focus on community, physical health or environmental stewardship.

STEVEN A. AND ALEXANDRA M. COHEN FOUNDATION

The Cohen Foundation gives mainly in Connecticut and New York, but several outfits around the country have also received funding. Its primary K-12 focus is on education reform and charter schools, but it has also supported education, the arts, out-of-school education, and college prep.

JACK KENT COOKE FOUNDATION

The foundation supports K-12 education through its Academic Achievement program, which contains four separate awards.

COMCAST FOUNDATION

While it doesn't have a specific education focus, the foundation funds K-12 education, particularly schools and school districts, through its commitment to both community service and youth development, with an overarching goal of achieving diversity.

CRUISE INDUSTRY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

It prioritizes programs that “improve literacy,” “teach basic life skills,” “promote good citizenship and public service,” and “increase reading, math and science proficiencies.”

DALIO PHILANTHROPIES

Dalio’s K-12 grants focus on public education in Connecticut and technology access.

DANIELS FUND

In addition to its support for early childhood education, the Daniels Fund also has a presence in K-12 education funding, especially for charter schools and school choice programs in the four-state region of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.

HILDA AND PRESTON DAVIS FOUNDATION

The foundation directs a significant portion of K-12 funding toward private and charter schools in Philadelphia.

JOHN DEERE FOUNDATION

Education is the John Deere Foundation’s newest funding initiative, and the foundation has thus far given broadly to K-12, higher education and out-of-school learning programs in areas of geographic interest.

DEKKO FOUNDATION

Dekko’s grantmaking for K-12 education stems from its civic responsibility, vocational exploration and youth philanthropy initiatives.

MICHAEL AND SUSAN DELL FOUNDATION

The Dell Foundation supports K-12 education through its urban education program, which works at both the national and international levels.

DELOITTE FOUNDATION

Although its mission statement names middle and high-school students as a priority, support for K-12 education represents only a small fraction of Deloitte’s philanthropy and consists mainly of employee volunteer efforts through signature programs.

DELUXE CORPORATION FOUNDATION

Grants tend to support out-of-school learning opportunities and youth development programs.

DEUTSCHE BANK AMERICAS

The majority of Deutsche Bank’s education philanthropy targets K-12 education and broadly supports programs and research aimed at improving outcomes for at-risk students in the U.S., Mexico, Brazil and Chile.

WALT DISNEY COMPANY

Disney’s Investment in Youth program aims to support the “next generation of innovators and storytellers” through transformative programs in STEAM disciplines and theater.

DOLLAR GENERAL LITERACY FOUNDATION

The philanthropic arm of Dollar General Stores supports youth and adult literacy in traditional classrooms and beyond—in all of the states you can find its stores, which includes most of the U.S. 

DOMINION ENERGY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

Within its broad goal of educating the future energy workforce, Dominion supports public and private K-12 schools in its areas of geographic priority.

DONLEY FOUNDATION

Donley’s K-12 funding WORKS to help students reach grade-level reading proficiency by fourth grade and provide high-quality afterschool programming for underserved students.

WILLIAM H. DONNER FOUNDATION

Donner supports K-12 education broadly, investing in public, private and charters schools, as well as nonprofits involved in education reform

ECHIDNA GIVING

Echidna Giving conducts funding to K-12 education focused on young and adolescent girls rather than other ages.

EDISON INTERNATIONAL

Edison International’s education grantmaking predominately invests in programs that emphasize science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

EDUCATION PROJECTS IN EDUCATION

This funder takes K-12 education seriously and supports professional journalists working on significant education news projects.

EINHORN COLLABORATIVE

Einhorn’s K-12 and higher ed giving focuses on “bridge building.”

EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION (EMPOWER)

The EMpower Foundation’s grants for K-12 globally supports education. In particular, it prioritizes girls’ education.

DORSEY & WHITNEY FOUNDATION

This law firm foundation is built on a “tradition to aid those with limited resources,” which includes its take on funding K-12 education programs. While grants are small, it has an open application process and offers general operating support.

MAX AND VICTORIA DREYFUS FOUNDATION

Funder from famed music publisher Max Dreyfus, who worked with American greats like George Gershwin and Cole Porter, interested in providing smaller grants that can make a big difference.

DRUCKENMILLER FOUNDATION

While the foundation of retired hedge fund manager Stanley Druckenmiller's main education commitment has been to the Harlem Children's Zone, money flows to other education groups, too, and the foundation has ramped up its giving in recent years.

ECOLAB FOUNDATION

The Ecolab Foundation’s K-12 spending focuess on at-risk students and STEM programming through support for classroom educators in Ecolab communities.

EINHORN FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST

The Einhorn Family Charitable Trust funds grants that support early childhood, parenting, K-12 education, and community work.

ENTERGY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

Entergy's K-12 investments support organizations and schools that work in underserved communities.

EUCALYPTUS FOUNDATION

The majority of the Eucalyptus Foundation’s K-12 education grants support academic institutions located in its home state of California.

FARMERS INSURANCE

The insurance company makes grants to K-12 teachers to support a wide range of teacher-driven efforts to benefit communities.

FCA FOUNDATION

The Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Foundation gives grants to community, regional and national initiatives in support of education, youth development, military families, and multicultural inclusion.

FIDELITY FOUNDATION

Fidelity’s education giving area is very broad and generally funds organizations that service K-12 youth.

DORIS AND DONALD FISHER FUND

These founders of Gap, Inc. award grants to a small number of longtime grantees in K-12 that work toward increasing student achievement, providing a high-quality education to all students, and the creation and replication of high-performing public charter schools. 

FLORA FAMILY FOUNDATION

This funder supports a variety of K-12 education programs, including individual schools, community programs, and education management nonprofits; however, this is not a big area of grantmaking for the foundation. Flora does not accept unsolicited requests for funding. Grant proposals are considered by invitation only.

EDWARD E. FORD FOUNDATION

This funder supports independent, private secondary schools (grades 9-12) across the country, with a particular focus on advancing best practices in teaching and learning. 

FORD FOUNDATION

Following its recent restructuring, Ford's Youth Education and Opportunity program is its vehicle for funding K-12 education organizations.  

FORD MOTOR COMPANY FUND & COMMUNITY SERVICES

The fund's ed grantmaking creates partnerships to support public school districts, programs that serve large communities and entire cities, and roadmaps for keeping under-served students in school.

FUND FOR TEACHERS

A donor-supported nonprofit that gives grants to pre-K through 12th grade teachers for “self-designed professional development and scholarly exploration.” Grants go directly to teachers, and individuals or teams may apply.

GANNETT FOUNDATION

The media company's commitment to developing the many communities where it operates including an explicit focus on education.

BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION

The College-Ready Education Strategy at Gates awards K-12 education grants in Teaching, Learning and Innovation programs. Historically, public school systems have received the most attention and money from Gates.

GE FOUNDATION

The GE Foundation gives through its Developing Futures in Education program, through which it is currently committed to the betterment of school districts in Louisville, Cincinnati, Stamford, Erie, Atlanta, New York City and Milwaukee.

GEORGE FAMILY FOUNDATION

This foundation supports K-12 education mainly through its youth development program, which prioritizes children and young adults from “underresourced families and communities.”

GENERAL MILLS FOUNDATION

Although it is not a grantmaking program per se, the General Mills Corporation supports public and private K-12 schools via its ubiquitous Box Tops for Education program, through which the company donates ten cents per purchase to consumers’ schools of choice.

GEORGIA-PACIFIC FOUNDATION

This funder gives a large number of grants to individual schools and school districts for general operating support. But it also has specific education focuses on literacy and job readiness.

GILDER FOUNDATION

The Gilder Foundation supports K-12 history education via the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, which Richard Gilder co-founded with Lewis Lehrman in 1994.

GOLDMAN SACHS

This funder gives to education (both nationally and internationally) through its Goldman Sachs Gives initiative. This program gives big and promotes big—and therefore expects its partners to have a big presence and big plans.

HORACE W. GOLDSMITH FOUNDATION

Goldsmith broadly focuses its grants for the K-12 space on underserved children and youth.

GOOGLE.ORG

Google supports computer science education, educational access for disadvantaged children, and technological solutions to educational development in the United States and around the world.

WILLIAM T. GRANT FOUNDATION

Educational research and interventions account for more than half of the Grant Foundation’s funding and are awarded across all of the foundation’s grantmaking programs.

GREEN FAMILY FOUNDATION

This foundation gives a handful of grants to K-12, largely in South Florida.

GEORGE AND AMANDA HANLEY FOUNDATION

The Hanley Foundation’s education focus area primarily operates in the Chicago area and the Midwest region.

HASTINGS FUND

The Hastings Fund invests in educational initiatives that prioritize underserved students, minority students and the portfolio model of school governance.

HEARST FOUNDATIONS

Hearst tends to focus its grantmaking on higher education, but it does award grants for “innovative models of... K-12 education, as well as professional development." 

HECKSHER FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN

Hecksher’s K-12 grantmaking supports schools and nonprofits in New York City and nationwide. Its scope is fairly broad, and its goals include improving grades and test scores, and increasing high school graduation, college admissions, and graduation rates. 

HEWLETT FOUNDATION

Hewlett’s education reform grantmaking applies to California only, but its Deeper Learning and Open Educational Resources programs award grants nationally.

HUTCHINS FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Hutchins Foundation’s Education grantmaking aims to “revitalize undergraduate residential life and learning” and “promote excellence in high school math and science.”

JAMES IRVINE FOUNDATION

Through its Linked Learning initiative, the James Irvine Foundation builds stronger pathways between K-12 and higher education systems, with a focus on specific regions in the Golden State.

LEBRON JAMES FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Lebron James Family Foundation supports K-12 and higher education in James’s hometown of Akron, Ohio.

KARSH FAMILY FOUNDATION

If you don't work in Los Angeles, the foundation of billionaire Bruce Karsh will likely be a dead end, since its national-level funding is highly selective. But Karsh is a major ally to ed reformers and could eventually expand giving.

EWING MARION KAUFFMAN FOUNDATION

Kauffman concentrates most of its funding on charter organizations and networks with a presence in the Kansas City area, as well as funding its own charter school. It also funds a variety of K-12 initiatives that support both charters and traditional public schools, as well as grants for education research.

CALVIN K. KAZANJIAN ECONOMICS FOUNDATION

Established about 70 years ago by the founder of candy bar maker Peter Paul Inc., the foundation funds nonprofits that create K-12 education programs to teach economic literacy, with a goal of social uplift.  

W.K. KELLOGG FOUNDATION

Kellogg's ed funding spans pre-natal care through college and career readiness, with a primary concentration on birth through age eight. Its approach is holistic, seeking to engage governmental and educational institutions, teachers, and parents, in addition to the students themselves. Kellogg is also a big supporter of the charter school movement.

KOVNER FOUNDATION

The Kovner Foundation’s Education funding aims improve K-12 education through education reform and school choice.

KPMG FOUNDATION

KPMG’s Education initiative focuses on math and business education for K-12.

KNIGHT FOUNDATION

K-12 grants from the Knight Foundation go to innovative nonprofits that engage diverse groups in the arts and arts education at multiple levels. Innovation is key, and grants support a wide variety of organizations and approaches.

KPMG FOUNDATION 

The KPMG Foundation awards grants that benefit K-12 programs and initiatives across the United States. Its K-12 grantmaking focuses on supporting low-income and preparing first-generation students for college.

MARIE-JOSEE AND HENRY R. KRAVIS FOUNDATION

This private equity billionaire and his wife give for arts, culture, and higher education, but they also care about K-12 education and have been ramping up their giving in this area in recent years, mainly in the New York City area.

CHARLES LAFITTE FOUNDATION

K-12 education is a major focus of Lafitte’s education grantmaking, which names special education, at-risk students, innovative teaching methods and educational access as priorities.

LAUDER FOUNDATION

Lauder’s K-12 grantees consist mainly of private, college preparatory schools that offer pre-K through grade 12 educational.

LEGO FOUNDATION

Lego’s education funding aims to “reach millions of children with learning through play in different parts of the globe where there is an opportunity to scale our work and make a difference.”

LIBERTY MUTUAL FOUNDATION

Liberty Mutual’s education funding prioritizes in- and out-of-school learning opportunities for underserved students in grades K-8 and college readiness programs for high school students.

LEON LOWENSTEIN FOUNDATION

Though this foundation offers little information regarding specific grantmaking guidelines and does not maintain a web site, it has given a large share of grants to K-12 schools and nonprofits around the country, and especially in New York City and its surrounding areas. 

LILLY ENDOWMENT

Lilly’s K-12 education funding is mainly limited to the state of Indiana and supports a broad range of initiatives for quality K-8 instruction and curricula, college readiness and teacher and administrator development. The foundation has also supported initiatives that provide counseling and guidance to K-12 students.

LILLY FOUNDATION

The Lilly Foundation’s grants for K-12 education support both national and Indiana-based organizations and schools. On the national level, the foundation has focused mainly on teacher education and preparation, supporting Teach Plus and Teach for America.

LOWE’S FOUNDATION AND CORPORATE GIVING

Lowe’s interest in supporting skilled trades education also involves support for vocational programs in K-12 school districts, school renovations and development of career and technical education pathway programs.

LPL FINANCIAL FOUNDATION

LPL’s K-12 funding focuses mainly on creating opportunities for middle and high school students to acquire financial literacy and develop career skills.

LUDWICK FAMILY FOUNDATION

Ludwick’s K-12 education funding prioritizes educational opportunities and services for vulnerable and disabled children.

MAJESTIC REALTY FOUNDATION

The philanthropic arm of the real estate development firm supports K-12 education and youth development in the eight regions of the country where the company conducts business. 

MALONE FAMILY FOUNDATION

The foundation of the billionaire media mogul John Malone supports gifted students and research into their needs. It also has an interest in developmental disorders. 

CHARLOTTE MARTIN FOUNDATION

The program’s education focus emphasizes support for initiatives that help “youth direct their learning and engage in compelling problem-solving and critical thinking.”

MATTEL FOUNDATION

Mattel supports STEM and K-12 education via its Encourage Education and Well-Being program.

MCCARTHEY DRESSMAN FOUNDATION

Established by two education professors, this funder supports K-12 education by funding classroom programs and professional development for educators anywhere in the United States.

WILLIAM G. MCGOWAN CHARITABLE FUND

Its Education grantmaking focuses on young children and students from low-income and disadvantaged communities and prioritizes minimizing achievement gaps and boosting graduation rates. Recently, the foundation has focused on “early childhood education programs that provide education, academic enrichment, healthy nutrition, and physical fitness for children 0–5,” and K-12 “programs offering out-of-school academic support, particularly STEM or STEAM—evidence-based programs leading to improvements in literacy, math, and science.”

MEADOWS FOUNDATION

Meadows wants to impact the educational landscape of Texas, especially through programs that close the achievement gaps separating different ethnic groups and ensuring more students across the Lone Star State are ready for college.

MILAGRO FOUNDATION

Education grantmaking used to focus on the San Francisco Bay Area, but has expanded to fund organizations across the U.S.

MILKEN FAMILY FOUNDATION

Grantmaking for K-12 education seeks “to champion strategies that elevate education in America and around the world.” While this funder works broadly in this area, it runs some signature initiatives for the recognition of outstanding students and educators.

MOCKINGBIRD FOUNDATION

Established by fans of Phish, the consummate jam band, the foundation raises funds for music education and disburses it to schools around the country.

MONEYGRAM FOUNDATION

The foundation’s sole focus in its grantmaking is to help vulnerable and disadvantaged children gain access to education and learning resources.

MOODY'S FOUNDATION

Believing “education is the cornerstone of society,” the Moody's Foundation invests its education grantmaking in mathematics, economics, and finance. 

MORIAH FUND

Moriah’s education program prioritizes organizations and initiatives that supports “at-risk children, including those in high poverty areas and children impacted by learning differences.”

MORRISON & FOERSTER FOUNDATION

This funder does not name K-12 education as an area of focus, but its support of disadvantaged youth serves K-12 populations with apparent focus on children in foster homes and out-of-school learning and mentoring programs.

CHARLES STEWART MOTT FOUNDATION

Mott's K-12 education giving supports community-driven programs, and those that put power in the hands of students, parents, teachers and community leaders. It's been a leader in funding afterschool. 

NATIONAL ART EDUCATION FOUNDATION

An offshoot of the National Art Education Association, the foundation’s goal is to improve and promote visual arts education and support teachers working in the field.

NATIONAL BOOK FOUNDATION

The National Book Foundation oversees the prestigious National Book Awards and funds various programs, honors, and awards related in some way to books, reading, and writing.

NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR TEACHERS OF MATHEMATICS

This group awards professional grants in support of K-12 education through its Mathematics Education Trust. Funds go toward professional development, curriculum support, and specific classroom projects.

NATIONAL HOME LIBRARY FOUNDATION

This funder gives to an array of projects related to child literacy, libraries and building home libraries.

NEA FOUNDATION

The NEA Foundation champions public school education by providing grants, awards, resources and visibility to public school educators, school districts, and education-related unions. 

NEW PROFIT

Recent grantmaking has focused on organizations and initiatives that improve quality of teaching and other school-level variables by incorporating research-based best practices at schools in urban and low-income areas.

NEWSCHOOLS VENTURE FUND

NewSchools Venture Fund is a venture philanthropy outfit. It pools its funders' money and makes grants to innovative organizations that are working to “transform public education for low-income children.” It was founded, and remains heavily backed, by tech industry leaders. 

NEW VENTURE FUND

The foundation is particularly interested in leadership training and development for teachers and school administrators.

NEW WORLD FOUNDATION

The New World Foundation’s Civic Opportunities Initiative Network (COIN) cultivates youth leadership and civic engagements through programs in collaboration with schools, universities, non-profits, and government agencies. It supports programs the provide opportunities like leadership development, educational enrichment, college access, mentorship, and long-term civic engagement.

NEXT GENERATION LEARNING CHALLENGES

Funded largely by the Gates Foundation, the NGLC network is driven to improve student outcomes through innovative strategies for teaching, learning and assessment. It is especially interested in ensuring college readiness and completion. For K-12 funders, the key programs are "K-12 Breakthrough Models" and "K-12 Tech Innovation."

OAK FOUNDATION

The Oak Foundation supports K-12 education via its learning differences funding program, which promotes educational equity for students with learning difference and who may “experience further marginalization due to racism and poverty.”

BILL AND SUSAN OBERNDORF FOUNDATION

The philanthropic vehicle of William Oberndorf and his wife Susan has provided support for education reform, school choice groups, and charter schools, but making initial contact with this Bay Area-based funder may prove challenging.

O'DONNELL FOUNDATION

Grantmaking at O’Donnell is rather narrow with its Advanced Placement Incentive Program. This program awards grants to organizations that give students the opportunity to take AP classes in high school. 

OMIDYAR NETWORK

The Omidyar Network promotes innovative education models, education technology advancements, and workforce readiness initiatives in Africa, India, and Latin America.

ONE8 FOUNDATION

Formerly known as the Jacobson Family Foundation, the one8 Foundation is the charitable vehicle of Jonathon Jacobson and his wife, Joanna. The foundation's philanthropy focuses on education, Jewish causes, and community development in the Boston and the surrounding area.

OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATIONS

Open Society's Education and Youth program funds K-12 education grants. One current funding topic is black male achievement.

ORGANIZATION FOR AUTISM RESEARCH

OAR’s education grantmaking focuses on research aimed at improving the educational experiences of autistic students from early childhood through 12th grade.

OVERDECK FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Overdeck Family Foundation supports K-12 education via three separate initiatives: Exceptional Educators, Innovative Schools and Data for Action.

PANDA CARES

Panda Cares’ K-12 funding prioritizes character education, academic success and college readiness and access programs, partnering with national organizations to bring programs to public and charter schools in 38 states.

PERSHING SQUARE FOUNDATION

Pershing Square's education grantmaking supports K-12 education, New York, and some charter schools.

PIMCO FOUNDATION

The philanthropic arm of the investment management firm supports educational success and college readiness for low-income, high-need students. 

PISCES FOUNDATION

The Pisces Foundation names environmental education for K-12 students as one of its main areas of grantmaking focus.

PITNEY BOWES

K-12 education is the Pitney Bowes Foundation’s largest area of giving. Recent priorities include literacy, mentoring, out-of-school learning, summer learning, entrepreneurship and STEAM programs.

POSES FAMILY FOUNDATION

While the foundation does not outline specific goals for its giving in this area, a significant number of grants have gone to programs and initiatives that support K-12 students with learning disabilities including dyslexia, autism and attentional disorders. Other areas of interest include teacher development programs and public charter school networks.

PYRAMID PEAK FOUNDATION

The Pyramid Peak Foundation makes community development grants to support organizations in the greater Memphis, Tennessee area. It also supports K-12 education and early childhood development groups.

PWC CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

K-12 education is a major focus area for the PwC Foundation. It gives directly to schools in 35 states (public, private, and charter), school districts, and organizations working in the K-12 realm.

RAIKES FOUNDATION

The Raikes Foundation’s K-12 education grants broadly focus on providing all children access to a quality education in the United States.

ROBBINS FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Robbins Family Foundation appears to prioritize organizations and schools that aim to improve educational outcomes for underserved children.

ROBERTSON FOUNDATION

Another grantmaker in the K-12 school reform push, the Robertson Foundation awards grants to organizations working toward accountability and closing the achievement gap. 

SALESFORCE FOUNDATION

Salesforce takes a broad approach to K-12 grantmaking and invests in a range of education related programs.

SAMBERG FOUNDATION

The Samberg Family Foundation's education program supports children and youth from low-income backgrounds thrive at the various stages and places in their lives. 

SAS INSTITUTE

The SAS Institute funds STEM education across the globe, and prioritizes organizations in North Carolina; however, its in-kind giving extends nationally. SAS also supports several national groups and commissions, which address education from a variety of angles.

SATTER FOUNDATION

One of Satter's many priorities is education reform (both charters and advocacy organizations) in Chicago, but the foundation also backs national conservative policy organizations whose portfolios include education work.

SCHUSTERMAN FOUNDATION

This funder aims to impact K-12 education across the country and in its hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. It is especially interested in education reform and exploring new approaches to education.

CHARLES AND HELEN SCHWAB FOUNDATION

The Schwab Foundation’s main K-12 concern is education reform, but it's also interested in areas like ed tech and research on educational innovations. Its main geographic focus is California, but organizations outside the Golden State also receive funding.

SHELTER HILL FOUNDATION

The foundation, run by Goldman Sachs veteran Paul Shiverick and his wife Betsy, supports education through charters, advocacy organizations, and more. 

SPRINT FOUNDATION

The K-12 funding of the telecommunication giant’s philanthropic arm primarily focuses on urban schools in the Kansas City metropolitan area, though organizations outside this region are also eligible for support.

STAPLES FOUNDATION

Staples Foundation is very much in the K-12 education game, especially for underserved students. For its top-level giving, the foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, preferring to meet grantees through staff at local stores.

STATE FARM

State Farm supports K-12 education by giving big checks to education organizations, emphasizing some stalwarts. But it also makes some unexpected choices by supporting student-driven initiatives. The State Farm Companies Foundation, a separate entity, provides scholarships and supports "associate-driven" initiatives and volunteer efforts.

STARR FOUNDATION

The Starr Foundation awards need-based financial aid to help students who would like to attend tuition-based secondary schools. Starr also supports U.S. students who would like to study abroad and foreign students who would like to study in the U.S. Unfortunately, unsolicited proposals or other materials are not accepted.

W. CLEMENT AND JESSIE V. STONE FOUNDATION

Stone’s education grantmaking program focuses on the preparation and development of “teachers and leaders who can promote equitable outcomes and the success of all students.” The foundation has also expressed interest in supporting initiatives for data-informed educational practices, social and emotional learning, ELL programs, special education, school culture and diversity.

STRANAHAN FOUNDATION

This family foundation funds K-12 education efforts both in Toledo, Ohio (where the foundation is based) and beyond.

SURDNA FOUNDATION

The Surdna Foundation’s mission is focused on “sustainable communities” with a community-based strategy geared toward social justice. K-12 grantseekers should apply through Surdna's Teens' Artistic and Cultural Advancement sub-program. 

TAWANI FOUNDATION

TAWANI’s K-12 education grants support a broad range schools and programs, prioritizing the Chicago area. From charter schools to school libraries, Tawani funds several K-12 issues.

TD CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

TD’s education funding stems from its financial security initiative, which names K-6 reading and math programs as an area of interest.

TOSA FOUNDATION

Tosa is a huge grantmaker in K-12 education that does not seem to favor big education names over lesser-known organizations, but information for grantseekers is hard to come by. The foundation prioritizes recipients in California, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts. 

TRAVELERS FOUNDATION

Travelers is all about improving K-12 academic achievement and developing student readiness for life after high school whether that be college or a career.  Preference is given to organizations in Hartford, Connecticut, and St. Paul, Minnesota, though support for grantseekers outside of those areas isn't out of the question.

T. ROWE PRICE FOUNDATION

The T. Rowe Price Foundation supports K-12 education via its Youth Empowerment initiative, which names achievement in reading and the development of exceptional school leadership, capacity and instruction as priorities.

EMILY HALL TREMAINE FOUNDATION

K-12 education is the Tremaine Foundation’s largest area of grantmaking and focuses exclusively on supporting children with learning differences.

UBS OPTIMUS FOUNDATION

UBS supports education across the globe and partners with organizations working to improve education outcomes in rural India and prepare out-of-school kids to return to school.

UNION PACIFIC FOUNDATION

Union Pacific Foundation places an emphasis on K-12 education through its support of community organizations and programs (rather than school-based initiatives).

U.S. BANCORP FOUNDATION

The U.S Bancorp Foundation is a significant grantor of K-12 education programs—including for general operating costs—viewing this support as part of a larger context of community development and uplift.

VOQAL

Voqal’s Investing for Education Impact program supports education organizations working to educate and empower the “public to foster a stronger, healthier democracy.”

VOYA FOUNDATION

The philanthropic offshoot of Voya Financial (formerly known as ING), the foundation’s primary focus is children’s education, particularly through its signature Unsung Heroes program.

WALLACE FOUNDATION

This funder concentrates its grantmaking activities on fostering effective school leaders, supporting afterschool and other enrichment programs, and building appreciation for the arts. It tends to favor research-based project ideas.

WALTON FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Walton Family Foundation is a giant ed funder that awards grants to organizations that are creating new charter schools, improving existing schools or working to change public education policies.

WELLS FARGO

Wells Fargo's giving priorities are subdivided by state, and sometimes also by regions within those states. Gives to K-12 programs in 40 states.

WEM FOUNDATION

WEM's education grantmaking involves charters, education advocacy groups, and scholarships. There is also the WEM Outstanding Educator Awards Program, which awards funds to educators, administrators, and academic challenge coaches from Minnesota public or non-public schools and educational institutions.

OPRAH WINFREY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

The Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation is the current philanthropic organization for Oprah Winfrey. It makes grants to support organizations in the areas of K-12 education, food insecurity, access to healthcare, and housing.

ZOOM FOUNDATION

The ZOOM Foundation supports organizations helping to provide children with access to quality public school education.

THE CHAN ZUCKERBERG INITIATIVE

CZI’s K-12 giving is divided into two focus areas and seeks to “partner with students, educators, and families to build and support tools and programs that make it easier to apply the science of learning and human development.”

Additional Resources

Grantmakers for Education (GFE) conducts research, shares information and creates networking opportunities for education funders to improve education outcomes for all students.

The Education Funder Strategy Group, a coalition of funders that calls itself a “learning community,” focuses on improving public education. One of its goals is to increase equity in education; another is to “build public confidence and commitment to public education as a public good.”

NewSchools Venture Fund and New Profit both practice venture philanthropy, that is, they use a venture capital approach to giving and investing in promising projects and entrepreneurs. NewSchools focuses exclusively on education, while New Proft has a broader investment portfolio. 

Donors Choose and similar crowdfunding platforms make it possible for even those of modest means to support education. On these platforms, donors can contribute small or large amounts to fill classroom needs — from snacks and PPE to lab equipment and math manipulatives.

Notable Regional Funders

BENGIER FOUNDATION