D.C. schools attracted record amounts of philanthropy in recent years
Washington, D.C., became a magnet for philanthropy after 2007, when former mayor Adrian Fenty took control over the schools and appointed Michelle Rhee as chancellor.
In 2010, the District brought in more than $31 million from national foundations, according to an analysis by two professors at Michigan State University of grants by the 15 largest philanthropies funding kindergarten through 12th grade education that year. The total represented an extra $705 per student — far more than any other school district in the country.
More than two-thirds of the funds raised went to the D.C. Public Education Fund, which was created in 2007 to support reform efforts in the public school system. At least $ 7 million went to specific charter schools or to organizations, including the New Schools Venture Fund, that support charter schools.
Source: “Political Determinants of K-12 Education Philanthropic Funds for Urban Schools”
Jeffrey W. Snyder and Sarah Reckhow, Michigan State University
The report, which has not yet been published, found that grantmaking from the largest funders increased from $486.6 million to $843.7 million between 2000 and 2010. The researchers found a growing preference among funders to invest in cities with reform-oriented policies and environments. Cities that had a Teach for America site or laws that encourage the growth of charter schools, for example, were more likely to receive foundation funding.
Sarah Reckhow, a professor of political science at Michigan State who coauthored the report, said more philanthropists are thinking nationally about policy priorities when they make funding decisions, and many are interested in growing charter schools and challenging traditional methods for evaluating and rewarding teachers.
In 2010, D.C. public schools rolled out a new teacher contract, including teacher evaluations that could lead to termination or significant bonuses. The increased costs associated were funded at first by a three-year, $64.5 million grant from a group of national philanthropists, including the Walton Family Foundation and the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation.
That expense was eventually absorbed by the local budget, and District education officials said philanthropic investments in the schools have fallen since 2010. The D.C. Education Fund raised $5.7 million in fiscal 2014, down from more than $17 million in fiscal 2012 and $24 million in 2010.
Fundraising has picked up again, with about $11 million raised so far this D.C. schools attracted record amounts of philanthropy in recent years - The Washington Post:
