While philanthropical efforts such as the Gates small school initiative, the Annenberg challenge, and the Broad Prize for Urban Education appear to constitute only a small portion of total U.S. K-12 spending, there is reason to believe these efforts may have a disproportionate impact in shaping reform agendas and promoting broader change.
This conference will examine key aspects of K-12 philanthropy, including donor strategies, accountability, and effectiveness. The analyses and discussion will provide practical guidance and raise important questions for public officials, parents, educators, and the philanthropic community. Topics of discussion will include: How much money is there? What strategies are getting funded, and what do we know of their effects? How do funders decide what to fund? What are the practical challenges that bedevil funders? What lessons might education philanthropists draw from other sectors or from other nations? How can these lessons be used to invest more wisely and more effectively?









