WASHINGTON, DC (May 4, 2026) – The DC Charter Facilities Fund (DCCFF) launched today, creating a new $250 million revolving loan fund designed to address barriers DC public charter schools face in accessing affordable, high-quality facilities.
The fund represents a new approach to ensuring that all DC students have access to learning environments that meet their needs. DCCFF will provide cost-effective loans to schools; as loans are repaid, the capital is recycled and reinvested into new projects, creating a sustainable, long-term solution. The fund is seeded with approximately $28 million in philanthropic investments, including a transformative $20 million investment from the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation, alongside Bloomberg Philanthropies, City Fund, and David and Katherine Bradley.
DC public charter schools face a uniquely challenging environment when seeking facilities compared to traditional public schools. With few vacant school sites available, schools are forced to compete in the commercial real estate market, where DC’s small size, limited land availability, and high costs create significant barriers. Recent years have seen sharp increases in construction, labor, and materials costs that have grown even more acute following the pandemic.
Ed Forward DC will operationalize the fund, connecting DC public charter schools with lending partners and leading the stewardship committee that will include the Federal City Council and the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation, with the DC Charter School Alliance serving as an advisor.
The DCCFF will offer loans through the Equitable Facilities Fund (EFF) and Level Field Facilities Fund (LFFF), with EFF managing $200 million in low-cost, fixed-rate capital and LFFF managing $50 million for flexible facilities capital. The fund will provide loans at extremely competitive rates, generally lower than private market options, with potential cost savings of $150,000 annually or more per school compared to traditional financing options.
The DCCFF will be able to support many facilities’ project costs and offer flexible terms for various use cases, including predevelopment costs, site acquisition, closing construction financing gaps, and leasehold improvements, as well as offering long-term fixed-rate financing. Schools may opt to refinance existing debt and/or bundle existing debt with new projects. Interested DC public charter schools can learn more and apply at www.dccharterfacilitiesfund.org.
“This innovative model allows philanthropic dollars to work harder and reach further,” said Bisi Oyedele, CEO of Education Forward DC. “Rather than making one-time grants, we’re creating a perpetual resource that will serve DC students for generations to come. We appreciate the investment the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation has made in this effort, and its long history of commitment to supporting DC students. As the foundation sunsets its work, this fund and its faith in Ed Forward DC will be a lasting part of its legacy of impact on DC.”
“The A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation is proud of its legacy supporting students in the District of Columbia. This investment to ensure that public charter schools can get the financing they need to create exceptional learning facilities is the culmination of years of effort with valued partners and I’m excited that it came to fruition,” said Danielle Hamberger of the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation. “The Clark Foundation is proud to be a part of this work and appreciates Ed Forward DC lending its leadership, expertise, and deep community involvement that will enable the fund to create lasting impact for DC’s students.”
“Enduring impact does not happen alone. It is built together through the commitment of local philanthropy, civic leadership, and mission-aligned institutions working in service of schools,” said Allison Fansler, EFF’s Chief Strategy Officer. ”The DC Charter Facility Fund is a strong example of what that partnership can make possible: helping schools reduce costs, building financial strength, and investing more deeply in students and educators. EFF is proud to be part of this collective effort.”
“Level Field Facilities Fund is proud to be part of this effort. The collaboration that brought this fund together to support DC students and families is truly remarkable, and it reflects a shared commitment to crafting a meaningful and long lasting impact,” said Shelly Cleary, President of Level Field Facilities Fund.
“Strong schools need strong support. This fund gives public charter schools a new tool to put more dollars into classrooms and fewer on financing facilities,” said Tony Williams, CEO and Executive Director of Federal City Council.
“The DC Charter School Alliance is proud to support the launch of the DC Charter Facilities Fund—an important step to expand access to affordable financing for high-quality charter school facilities so every DC student can learn in a safe, modern, and inviting environment,” said Ariel Johnson, Executive Director of the DC Charter School Alliance. “Too many schools face barriers in securing the capital needed to build and improve spaces that meet the needs of their students and communities. The DCCFF reflects what’s possible when organizations come together with a shared commitment to uplift the promise of public charter schools through advancing innovation and equity for all students.”
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Media Contact: Matthew Nocella, matt[at]edforwarddc[dot]org.
