Trends in Education Philanthropy: Benchmarking 2018/19

Grantmakers for Education produced a report from survey findings that captured information across the entire educational system serving children and youth, from their first experiences in early learning settings all the way through postsecondary education and workforce preparation. The report covers big picture trends, philanthropic practice, and the content of education giving. 

Trend Highlights from Survey Data:

• Focus on equity is manifesting itself in increased funding projections for restorative justice initiatives and wraparound supports for schools. DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) efforts are listed among the most promising trends in the field. Interest in social and emotional learning is growing as brain science supporting it deepens.
• Postsecondary education and early childhood education are generating increased enthusiasm among funders, though early education grant dollars are dwarfed by the dollars going to the other end of the education spectrum. 
• Many K-12 issues are not seeing the same momentum as postsecondary education. Funders have lost faith in government, especially the federal government, as either a thought leader or to sufficiently fund education.