Want to invest in the future of education? Here's how...

I recently went to a social event at a brewery for a company building an insurance product. Yep. You read that right. I went to a social event where we talked about insurance. Thing about it, is that it was DOPE! Seriously. There was good beer, dumplings and good people, talking about the future of an industry that is generally very slow to innovate.

As a took my first bite into the hot, steaming, delicious spicy chicken dumpling I thought, "I'm so glad I came and upset at the same time because I am about to eat ALL of these dumplings!" My next thought was, "Wow, this is partnership at its best." Two brands, sharing a mission, coming together for the people.

Loop is straight up the future of insurance and data and Ai for public good but that is for another newsletter on how Loop's model can be used to build a whole school (look out for that one in two weeks wink wink). Momo Shack Dumplings is changing the way people enjoy food together with pop-up experiences. Seriously, if you are in Dallas go get some Momos!

What I realized about these two businesses is that they are not alike. They are not selling the same thing. But they are choosing to innovate and on this day they chose to do it together. Why? Because people and orgs are better together.

Education innovation must be done together

The longer I work to change the American education system the more I believe that it takes the small, incremental moves and changes. The most I believe that, the more I also believe that big, bold partnerships are also needed. So whether it is insurance and dumplings, sports and cars, education and sneakers, whatever it is, bold partnerships move missions forward.

And that I why I am proud and excited to tell you about a way that the Reinvention Lab at Teach for America (where I get to work) is partnering with 4.0 Schools. While we don't have amazing dumplings, we have a way to invest in the future of learning!

Introducing *drumroll* The 2021 Venture Philanthropy Program

When I was growing up there was this term used to describe a person who had access to a lot of resources. A person who knew everyone and seemed to know about everything. They could hook you up with whatever. That person was called the Plug. At the Reinvention Lab, we want to be the Plug for education's innovators. Come to us for connections and resources and thought partnership and sponsorship. Come to us so we can use the weight and power of Teach For America to help you take your vision to the next level.

4.0 Schools invests in new, community-centered models of education, and provides coaching, curriculum, community and cash to folks with the imagination to create something that is really, really hard to build: a more innovative and equitable education ecosystem.

We've teamed up to do one really important thing and that is to help folks invest in the future of education.

"Venture philanthropy is a high-engagement and long-term approach whereby an investor for impact supports an organization with a social purpose, like a nonprofit, to help it maximize its social impact and achieve its vision.? In partnership with The Reinvention Lab, powered by Teach For America, the Venture Philanthropy Program is a two-sided approach designed to connect the right social impact enterprises (and their founders) to the right venture philanthropists on the right terms."

-4.0 Schools

Here is the how

4.0 has invested in almost 1,500 early stage founders from across the US. But new ideas need support and investment and underrepresented founders face an uphill battle connecting to mission-aligned funders and supporters. That’s why 4.0,? in partnership with the Reinvention Lab, powered by Teach For America, ?is launching a pilot program for Venture Philanthropists who want to invest in the future of education. You’ll get access to a curated group of founders building the future of education that you can invest in with your time or money.

Learn more and join by July 15th HERE.

Join us.

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About this Newsletter: This newsletter accompanies the Schoolish Podcast.

With Schoolish: The Newsletter I am trying to do 3 things: 1) Write about fresh ideas that are building a bright and equitable future of learning. 2) Highlight and celebrate those who are doing the work every day to build that future. 3) Cover the topics that many are not discussing right now.

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