ANSWERING THE CALL
The Nation’s Largest Gathering of Education Funders

More than 450 education grantmakers strengthened their networks, explored strategies among peers and examined ways to deepen their efforts to improve outcomes for all learners.

U.S. funders from private and public philanthropies convened October 2-5, 2011, in Los Angeles, to rethink and reframe education in today’s turbulent economic and political landscape.

From academic success to education policy, grantmakers experienced an exceptional range of opportunities for building knowledge and networks among peers. With more than 30 concurrent sessions, 4 site visits, 100 panelists and plenary speakers, participants from across the nation learned, shared and answered the call to unite and foster solutions to improve student achievement and create opportunities for all learners.

Highlights included:

• A powerful and compelling conversation about the value, promise and potential of every young person from Father Greg Boyle, founder of L.A.’s Homeboy Industries, Sarita Brown, president of ¡Excelencia in Education! and Wilfredo Lopez, Homeboy Industries
• A candid look at the challenges and opportunities funders face in meeting the nation’s 2020 education goals with Martha Kanter, undersecretary of education, U.S. Department of Education
• A thought-provoking discussion with two international education leaders: Kai-ming Cheng, University of Hong Kong, and Michael Fullan, University of Toronto, about the urgency of reshaping the culture of learning and improving results for all learners through data-driven, equity-focused approaches
• An critical look at equity in education and a call for closing the opportunity and achievement gaps for all U.S. students with Christopher Edley, Jr., University of California, Berkley, School of Law and U.S. Department of Education Equity and Excellence Commission

GFE, its members and other conference participants agree that improving education rests with all of us and are energized and motivated to take back the lessons learned as we tackle the challenges and problems we face in American education—from early learning to postsecondary success, from out-of-school time to career readiness. We look forward to sharing what we learned in the weeks and months ahead.
 

Join us October 24-26, 2012 in New York City

Save the dates for our 16th annual conference. GFE members will receive the Call for Session Proposals in early 2012. Members also receive early registration discounts. To learn more about our New York City conference, contact DeL’Aurore Kyly, delaurore@edfunders.org or 503.595.2100.