Philanthropy Pulse Check: January 2026

January 2026 Pulse Check
RESULTS

In our January newsletter, we asked, “From your perspective, is education philanthropy at an inflection point?” A majority of respondents to the inaugural Pulse Check survey believe education philanthropy has reached an inflection point. Dramatic changes in federal education policy and funding appear to be primary factors informing this perspective.

Among major challenges cited by respondents at the beginning of 2026 are uncertainty around federal education funding, which leads to questions about the “right” grantmaking strategies to pursue “amid upheaval.” The federal government’s anti-equity and anti-immigrant stance also “has some grantmakers concerned about who they fund and whether they will become targets for the organizations they fund.”

Beyond funders, grantees may be “unable to execute programs and strategies due to the changing environment.” One Minnesota-based respondent specifically referenced their need to reassure community partners that they could “reallocate resources and focus away from education to personal and community safety” to “meet the current moment in the way that best [supports] their mission and vision.”

Respondents also see this juncture as an opportunity to do things differently in ways that can benefit philanthropy over the long run. Several respondents cited the potential for greater collaboration among funders and with other sectors. For example, one respondent expressed being “genuinely excited about the growing interest in creating a pooled fund” in their area of focus, “because it signals a real appetite for collective action rather than siloed grantmaking.”

Another respondent identified an increase in place-based efforts, “which feels like an important shift toward deeper, more locally grounded partnerships that can actually move the needle for justice-impacted learners.” Even within the context of reduced federal support for education, a respondent remained optimistic speculating that, “Maybe the increased focus that comes with reduced resources will result in new approaches to problems.”

Source: Grantmakers for Education, 2026. Based on 23 responses.