Effective Education Grantmaking Resources
Case Studies Examine How to Improve Grantmaking Results

Grantmakers for Education believes philanthropy, done wisely, can contribute solutions to the problems that prevent too many students from learning and achieving. If you're a donor or grantmaker, we encourage you to review the following series of case studies, designed to help you consider the issues, challenges and approaches of more effective education grantmaking. Each case is accompanied by a "case in brief" -- a synopsis of the in-depth case and the lessons it suggests for education funders.

• Case #1: Linking Resources to Results: The Chicago Public Education Fund's Master Teacher Initiative
  Full Case (1 mb) | Case in Brief (170 kb)


• Case #2: Persistence, Partnership and Public Will: The Annie E. Casey Foundation's Investments in Kentucky School Reform
  Full Case (256 kb) | Case in Brief (170 kb)


• Case #3: Working Together to Achieve Greater Impact: The Donors' Education Collaborative of New York City
  Full Case (301 kb) | Case in Brief (168 kb)


• Case #4: Learning by Doing: The Noyce Foundation's Every Child a Reader and Writer Initiative
  Full Case (413 kb) | Case in Brief (170 kb)


• Case #5: Focus for Impact: The PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning's Early Childhood Literacy Initiative
  Full Case (503 kb) | Case in Brief (345 kb)


• Case #6: Engaged Partners: The Achieving the Dream Partnership
  Full Case (620 kb) | Case in Brief (forthcoming)

Each case study examines in detail how funders might aspire to integrate one of the eight Principles for Effective Education Grantmaking in their work. We selected each case through a competitive selection process and with the help of a distinguished set of advisors from our field.

Applying Lessons from the Case Studies

GFE believes the richest learning from these case studies comes from opportunities to discuss and debate them with colleagues. To support that level of learning, we feature case study seminars at our annual conference and other programs, and have prepared teaching guides to help you initiate your own discussions.  Special GFE faculty leaders are also available to teach the cases in individualized settings by special arrangement. If you're a GFE member, contact us at 503-595-2100 to request hard copies of the teaching guides and to discuss case teaching opportunities.

Bound-Copy Pricing

You can order bound copies of the cases and cases in brief at: https://www.edfunders.org/knowledge/publications_order.asp. The bound cases are available for $5 each; cases in brief can be ordered at no cost (as supplies last). All prices include shipping.

Series Sponsors

We appreciate the financial support of various GFE members over time in producing these case studies, including: the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Goldman-Sachs Foundation, Lumina Foundation for Education, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Prudential Foundation and Washington Mutual.