Priorities for Education Philanthropies

A new survey report on national and regional education funding has found “a deep shift” among major philanthropies toward investment in postsecondary education and work-force and career readiness initiatives over traditional K-12 reforms.

Donors surveyed attributed the change to “a loss of confidence in government, especially the federal government, to lead and adequately fund education,” according to the report by Grantmakers for Education, a consortium of education philanthropists.

The growing focus on pre- and post-K-12 learning means that postsecondary education “will also receive greater overall funder support,” the report states.

“This survey data makes clear that philanthropies have, collectively, begun to redefine education giving and reform quite profoundly -- directing their dollars toward new priorities and dramatically away from the more traditional K-12 issues,” said Celine Coggins, executive director of Grantmakers for Education.