Latest Our Blog

2023 End-of-Year Research Update

We are committed to promoting transparent research practices by lifting up timely findings. Here, we share the results of 15 grantee research efforts that concluded at the end of this year.

Students work on computers with teacher support

When It Comes To Purchasing EdTech Solutions, Evidence-Based Decision-Making Is More Important Than Ever

In today’s K-12 education market, there is strong demand for technology-fueled solutions to close achievement gaps, but little to no guidance for educators on making decisions based on evidence of impact. Melanie Dukes and Lina Eroh outline the critical role philanthropy can play in strengthening evidence-based decision-making for edtech solutions, ultimately leading to better student outcomes.

Q2 2023 Funding Announcement

In Q2 2023, our foundation awarded 21 grants totaling over $9.4 million. Of these, six grants were new, eight were renewals, and seven were disbursements for ongoing pledges. Here, we highlight just some of the direct impact and ecosystem organizations we’re proud to support this quarter.

Students working on laptops

Perspectives: As Technology Use Explodes in Classrooms, Philanthropy Must Help Ensure All Students Benefit

Technology has the potential to play a significant role in improving engagement with families, assessing student progress, and providing personalized learning solutions. But to have a real impact, edtech tools need to be evaluated and refined before they're made available at scale. John Overdeck, President of Overdeck Family Foundation, points to the need for philanthropic investment in new innovations and ongoing evidence-building to ensure these solutions improve learning for all students.

Q2 2022 Funding Announcement

In Q2 2022, our foundation awarded 30 grants totaling over $12.5 million dollars. Of these, 13 grants were new and 17 were renewals. This post highlights just some of the many organizations we’re proud to support.

Our Predictions for SY 2021-'22

Setting students up for success is crucial every year, but particularly so following the trauma and disruption caused by the pandemic. Here’s what we predict will be critical in ensuring children can both recover and accelerate in the upcoming academic year.

Tech-Enabled Math Solutions: Investing in the Growth and Continued Innovation of Two High-Quality Math Platforms

The pandemic put the benefits of tech-enabled solutions front and center. While traditional math curriculum providers struggled to adapt, digital and tech-enabled curriculum and solution providers were able to quickly respond to student needs, decreasing the amount of interrupted learning that students experienced. In this post, we highlight two solutions that measurably accelerate math learning: Zearn and ST Math. 

Q1 Funding Announcement

In Q1 of 2021, our foundation awarded 32 grants totaling $12.27 million. Of these, 14 grants were new, while 16 were renewals. This post highlights just some of the many organizations we’re proud to support.

December 2020 News Roundup

This final news roundup of 2020 highlights our grantees’ and Foundation staff’s work in December, especially in response to COVID-19's continuing impact on education.