Charter School Growth Fund

The Charter School Growth Fund identifies the country’s best charter schools, funds their expansion, and helps to increase their impact. They are driven by a conviction that all children deserve great public schools in their communities. Approach As a national nonprofit, they make multi-year, philanthropic investments in talented education entrepreneurs building networks of great charter schools, and they provide them with support as they grow. NATIONAL SCOPE They uncover the most promising charter schools in the country, regardless of where they are located. To date, they have funded the expansion of charter networks across 23 states in a wide range of communities, ranging from Los Angeles and Phoenix to the Rio Grande Valley and Mississippi River Delta. DIVERSE EDUCATIONAL APPROACHES They support schools that help students grow and excel. The networks in the portfolio serve all grade levels and range in size from one or two schools to as many as 40. They use a variety of traditional and innovative educational approaches, such as those based on Great Books, Montessori methods, and personalized learning, among others.   RIGOROUS SELECTION Data is critical to decision-making. They use an anonymous screening process to analyze schools’ academic performance relative to their peers. They carefully evaluate every organization’s academic record, leadership capacity, and financial health to ensure that it has a strong foundation on which to build.   FOCUS ON RESULTS They tailor financial support to help charter schools succeed. The large, multi-year investments include a mix of grants and low-interest loans tied to customized performance goals. They also make a small number of one-year grants to proven education leaders opening their first or second schools. The continued support of a charter school network is based on its progress related to academics, enrollment growth, and financial sustainability.   STRATEGIC SUPPORT They want the portfolio members to meet their goals, and they support them in doing so. One of the greatest benefits of being part of the portfolio is the opportunity to learn from innovative leaders tackling similar challenges. They coordinate meaningful learning opportunities and provide resources so charter school networks can build more effective organizations.