Grantmakers for Education

The plenary speakers at #EdFunders24 this year were truly exceptional! Gathering in Minneapolis this October, we explored "Education for a Thriving Democracy: Truth, Discourse, and Transformation," and left inspired by the insights and commitment of these remarkable leaders. It was a privilege to hear from Sara Sneed at The NEA Foundation, Sophie Fanelli at Stuart Foundation, Marcus Pope at Youthprise, Scott Jenkins at Lumina Foundation, Shantae Joseph, MBA, Lindsay Kedzuf at UnitedHealth Group, Walter M. Kimbrough at Talladega College,Mychal Threets, Ruha Benjamin, Allison Waukau and now you can watch their impactful sessions too! Check them out on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gX3WteE2

"Building Beyond the Ballot Box: How Youth Are Forging Paths to Long-Term Governing Power". Join us on November 21 at 4pm ET for an empowering conversation on how young people are shaping the future of democracy! This post-election event will feature Nico Bernardo at Communities for Just Schools Fund (CJSF), Amber West at Leaders Igniting Transformation (LIT), and inspiring high school students who are active movement organizers, alongside These young leaders are mobilizing their peers and advancing political strategies rooted in multiracial democracy—paving the way for lasting, impactful change beyond the ballot box. Don’t miss the chance to hear directly from high school movement organizers! Register here: https://lnkd.in/gDf4ZgwD

This year's plenary speakers at #EdFunders24 were ??! We gathered in Minneapolis in this October under the theme "Education for a Thriving Democracy: Truth, Discourse and Transformation" and were blown away by the incredible passion and wisdom of these leaders. We loved hearing from Nicole Rodriguez Leach at Grantmakers for Education, Abigail Seldin at Scholarship America, José Mu?oz at Education Commission of the States, Kent McGuire at William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Danielle Allen at Harvard University, H. Jackson at Schott Foundation for Public Education, Lulete Mola at Black Collective Foundation MN, Dr. Zoe Stemm-Calderon at Raikes Foundation and you will too. You can now watch them on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gX3WteE2

"Relationship as Revolution to Support Youth Thriving" – Join us TODAY 11/4 at 2:00 pm ET for an inspiring conversation on youth development and trust-building in the lead-up to the 2024 Presidential Election! We’re exploring how meaningful relationships can empower young people and create the collective trust needed for sustainable, youth-centered movements—during this election season and beyond. Featuring insights from Lucy Recio of Third Bloom, Marcus Strother of MENTOR California and Virgen Marina Rodriguez of All Our Kin, Inc., this webinar is a unique opportunity to learn how genuine connection and community support can fuel youth growth. Co-hosted by Grantmakers for Education, Trust for Learning, and Early Childhood Funders Collaborative. Don’t miss it—see you there! Reserve your spot now: https://lnkd.in/gTaxWjhK

On November 21 at 4 PM ET, join Grantmakers for Education and NYU Metro Center for an essential panel discussion on the rise of universal voucher programs in public education. With 11 states already providing taxpayer dollars for private or religious school tuition—and 16 more states considering similar legislation in 2025—the impact on public education is profound. Author Jennifer Berkshire, Richard Berlin at DREAM, Beth Lewis at Save Our Schools Arizona, and Gini Pupo-Walker at Raikes Foundation will examine the history, goals, and real-life effects of these programs, discussing how funders and advocates can navigate the changing landscape. This 90-minute session is free for members and education grantmakers. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gne3kQZc

Did you know most of our programs are available on video? Catch up on impactful sessions like "Summer Learning: How Do We Ensure All Kids Have Access?", "Toward a Climate of Care in Learning Programs", and "Back to School and Forward into Power"—all recorded for you to watch anytime! Whether you’re revisiting your favorite topics or discovering new insights, our past programs are just a click away. Watch now and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay updated on future releases! https://lnkd.in/gFZmisur

I still feel the energy! Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to Grantmakers for Education’s 2024 annual conference in Minneapolis, MN. Your collective effort and participation were integral to the success of the convening! At a time when so much is at stake, 800+ leaders who influence and impact all parts of the learning continuum and all places where learning occurs gathered to imagine and envision the public promise and purpose of education for a thriving democracy. To grapple with philanthropy's role in this project. To expand our ideas about how education grantmakers and philanthropic organizations show up. To challenge our assumptions and dominant false narratives. To push beyond the polite. To form new relationships and reunite with colleagues and friends. To center the genius and agency of young people. To widen the lens and see the big picture while developing our critical and creative capacities to be bold in our social visions and focused on the experiences of learners. My gratitude goes to the incredible folks who guided our conversations during plenary sessions, everyone who organized workshops and learning sessions, the community leaders who hosted our site visits, the youth leaders who traveled from across the state to participate, and many other contributors and supporters. And especially our staff and directors of Grantmakers for Education! Special congratulations to Kent McGuire and Marla Ucelli-Kashyap, the inaugural IgnitED Award winners! Your visionary and principled leadership over the past thirty years has been truly extraordinary. While I eagerly anticipate next year's conference in Memphis, TN, I also recognize that important matters demand our attention now and on the horizon. At Grantmakers for Education, we are not sitting on the sidelines! We have our sights on a bright vision for all learners to blossom and prosper in their classrooms and communities, in education spaces and systems that facilitate deep and broad opportunities for achievement, mobility, fulfillment, and human flourishing. This is the work of Grantmakers of Education’s network, which I am so honored to help steward and lead.

"Relationship as Revolution to Support Youth Thriving" – Join us on November 4 at 2:00 pm ET! In the lead-up to the 2024 Presidential Election, we’re bringing together a powerful conversation on how meaningful relationships can drive youth development and build the collective trust essential for sustainable, youth-centered movements—this election season and far beyond. Featuring Lucy Recio from Third Bloom and Marcus Strother from MENTOR California, this webinar promises insights into supporting young people’s growth through genuine connection and community. Co-hosted by Grantmakers for Education, Trust for Learning, and Early Childhood Funders Collaborative. Reserve your spot now: https://lnkd.in/gTaxWjhK

Join us on Dec 5 at 2pm ET for an insightful conversation with Cynthia Robinson-Rivers and Dr. Dena Simmons, on the science of socioemotional development as a foundation for self-regulation, resilience, and solidarity. Tgether, we will explore how children and youth learn to manage their emotions, how self-regulation supports character building and collective action, and what we can learn from U.S. communities with long histories of resilience in the face of adversity. We look forward to your participation and extend our thanks to our co-hosts, Early Childhood Funders Collaborative and Trust for Learning. This event is designed for members and education grantmakers, and is free to attend. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gUwnER5R

Join us on December 5 for a conversation among a diverse group of learning experts delving into the science of children’s socioemotional development as a foundation for self-regulation, resilience and solidarity. Speakers include Cynthia Robinson-Rivers of Transcend and Dr. Dena Simmons of LiberatED SEL. This is part five in our series with partners Early Childhood Funders Collaborative and Trust for Learning. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gJtuAqGE