Helping to Foster Dramatic Improvements in K-12 Education
Dedicated reformers have made remarkable gains in improving K-12 education over the past two decades, from expanding high-performing charter school networks to investing in excellent teachers and school leaders. Strategic philanthropy has been one of the most effective tools in advancing these breakthroughs. The Philanthropy Roundtable seeks to further increase and improve K-12 education reform philanthropy by connecting thought-leaders, practitioners, and donors with one another.
The mission of the Roundtable’s K-12 education programs is simple and straightforward: we help donors achieve dramatic improvements in K-12 education, especially for low-income and minority children. We are guided by the following principles:
- We are committed to whatever works in raising the academic achievement of all American children.
- We place a special emphasis on opportunities for philanthropists to achieve systemic reform through competition and parental choice, freedom and accountability for schools, excellent teachers and leaders, and high standards and expectations for students of all backgrounds—reinforced by a culture of achievement among teachers, parents, and children.
- Though we do not seek to forge consensus on how best to achieve dramatic improvements in K-12 education, we actively seek to help donors of diverse perspectives identify where they share common principles and objectives and foster collaboration among them.
The Roundtable supports philanthropists who want to positively reform public district schools, public charter schools, and independent and religious private schools, and who are committed to ensuring the next generation of leaders receive the quality education they deserve.
Build Strategy by Collaborating with the Roundtable’s Extensive Network
The Roundtable offers donors:
- Intellectually challenging, solicitation-free conferences.
- A forum to exchange strategies and best practices and participate in spirited debate.
- Cutting-edge content from experienced philanthropists and expert practitioners who ask the tough questions necessary to help their peers develop well-crafted strategies.
- Opportunities to visit some of the top “no excuses” schools to witness firsthand what allows them to provide an excellent education for some of America’s neediest students.
- Highly-regarded guidebooks and our quarterly magazine, Philanthropy, which provide critical insight into complex fields like charter schooling, digital learning, and urban Catholic education.
- Private, customized strategy sessions to explore innovations in K-12 education philanthropy in depth.
All of the Roundtable’s services are marked by an unwavering commitment to helping donors maximize the impact of their giving.
Programming Across Multiple Areas of Focus
The Roundtable’s K-12 education programs for philanthropists touch upon multiple topics:
- Human Capital
- Charter Schools
- School Choice
- Technology and Student-Centric Learning
- City-based Reform
- Urban Catholic Schools
- Performance Management
We bring attention and analysis to important movements, discussions, and cities, highlighting what’s working and discussing opportunities for continued improvement.
What K-12 Education Philanthropists Say about the Roundtable
“This [meeting] was one of the most incredible programs I have been to in 40 years of going to meetings about education. It was factual, informative, provocative. I wish 500 people could have been here. I wish 5,000 people could have been here. I have learned so much today. And I feel much better. For the first time in a long time I have hope.”—Peter Lynch, co founder, Lynch Foundation
“The Roundtable’s K -12 education work demonstrates that we can create great schools for all kids, especially the most disadvantaged. Its meetings and education programs provide me with an opportunity to see great schools in many different communities and spend time with other foundation leaders talking about how we get the results we want from the investments we make.”
—Bruno V. Manno, senior associate, Walton Family Foundation
Contact Us
For more information on The Philanthropy Roundtable and our K-12 Education programs, please call (202) 822-8333 or e-mail main@philanthropyroundtable.org. Dan Fishman is director of our K-12 education programs. You may reach him at dfishman@philanthropyroundtable.org.