How We Help
At Education Forward DC, we support visionary education leaders’ across both public schools sectors to create great public schools for DC students.
We do this through:
- Strategic Grantmaking: Investing in organizations and interventions with a track record of success.
- Hands-On Partnerships: Direct coaching, convening, and coordination alongside education leaders.
- Citywide Coordination: Working across schools, partners, and city leaders to advance policy and build coalitions.
DC has proven that citywide improvement is possible. Education Forward DC exists to accelerate that improvement by working across public school sectors to grow great educational experiences, develop the talent pipeline, and strengthen the conditions that allow every student to thrive.
Our Strategy
Through a dedicated focus on improving school quality, developing outstanding leaders and teachers, and advancing the policy conditions that accelerate progress, we believe DC can continue to be a national model and fulfill its promise of a great public school for every DC student.
Our goal is to ensure that all students from low-income households attend a high-performing school that prepares them for a bright future.
Quality Education
Schools that provide the rigor and support that prepare students for college, career, and life.
- Increase supply of quality seats.
- Improve school quality and student outcomes.
- Increase relevance of high school programming, including alignment to postsecondary pathways.
Outstanding Talent
Caring, effective, and supported teachers and leaders helping students reach their full potential.
- Ensure strong school leadership.
- Supports for well-trained, effective, and satisfied teachers.
Supportive Ecosystem
A citywide education ecosystem that drives innovation and sustains progress to allow all learners to thrive.
- Well-informed policymakers.
- Coordinated advocacy from organizations focused on student outcomes.
- Availability of high-quality and usable data.
Innovation and Rapid Response
“Sunshine” funds to advance promising innovations and help leaders maintain stability in uncertain times.
- New ideas to drive improvement in student outcomes.
- Supporting our partners’ needs during uncertain times.
Our Impact
We’ve invested over $40 million of philanthropic capital across more than 80 unique grantees over a five-year period to build greater equity within the DC education ecosystem.
DC’s public schools and the environment that enables their success have shown meaningful gains in resources, academic achievement, and quality options available since Education Forward DC began its work in 2016.
Our Grantees
