What is EdVestors?

EdVestors is an entrepreneurial nonprofit organization that drives change in urban schools through smart, strategic private investment. We identify and shape the most effective school improvement initiatives and partner with a wide range of donors, including individuals, giving groups, and established foundations to invest in these efforts. Our investors rely on us for rigorous due diligence, education expertise, and commitment to outcomes measurement and evaluation to monitor the progress and impact of their investments.

What types of giving programs do you have?

EdVestors hosts many distinct opportunities for philanthropic investments including:

• Urban Education Investment Portfolio
• School on the Move Prize
• BPS Arts Expansion Fund at EdVestors
• EdVestors Capacity

If I would like to make a grant supporting a specific educational interest in urban schools, but I'm not sure what program to support, can EdVestors help me?

Yes. We invite all interested individuals and foundations to attend the Annual Urban Education Investment Showcase in April to learn more about carefully-vetted school improvement initiatives. The Showcase gives donors the opportunity to support initiatives that align with their interests through EdVestors' Urban Education Investment Portfolio.

The Philanthropic Services Department can also help identify the programs that are of high interest to you. Contact the Director of Philanthropic Services, Bryan Spence, by calling (617) 585-5740 to learn about the opportunities available through EdVestors.

Is there a grant minimum?

There is no grant minimum. Individual donations and charitable grants range from $5,000 to over $150,000.

How can I learn more about EdVestors events?

EdVestors keeps upcoming events and opportunities updated on our website. If you are interested in receiving newsletters and event invitations, please submit your interest to info@edvestors.org.

Who is eligible to apply?

Proposed initiatives may involve one or more schools in Boston, MA. Proposals may be led by the schools themselves, or by nonprofit organizations working in close collaboration with one or more school partners. Schools may be public (district, pilot or charter), independent or private schools serving a significant percentage (50% or more) of students from low-income families in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12.

Initiatives with strong potential for sharing best practices, replicating, or expanding over time are of particular interest. Start-up projects as well as more established initiatives are welcome to apply.

As a charter school, am I eligible to apply?

Yes. We are always looking for strong proposals from charter schools. We are particularly interested in proposals which involve more than one school working together (either multiple charter schools, or charters working with BPS district or pilot schools or independent schools) to address a common educational concern.

If I received a previous two-year grant from EdVestors, can I re-apply for funding in this cycle?

Current EdVestors grantees who received prior two-year grants are welcome to apply for a new grant that would begin after the first grant expires. For instance, if you received a two-year grant in 2009, you may next submit a Concept Paper for the 2011 grant-cycle.

If I received a grant through the BPS Arts Expansion Fund at EdVestors, may I submit a concept paper for the same project for funding through the Investment Portfolio?

Yes. A portion of donors to the Urban Education Investment Portfolio have the arts – either direct instruction or curricular-integration – as a funding priority. Arts initiatives funded through the Investment Portfolio are likely to be unique or cost-effective models of arts delivery, or arts-integration activities, rather than straight expansion of existing programs.

May I speak with someone to discuss my idea for a concept paper?

Yes. EdVestors is happy to provide feedback on concept paper ideas to potential applicants. Please contact our office to schedule a time to discuss your questions or ideas. Some feedback may be provided by email, while others questions will warrant a phone conversation. We strongly encourage you to contact EdVestors early to ensure there is time for your questions to be answered before the Concept Paper submission deadline.

May I request funding for an after-school or summer program?

Proposals seeking general operating support for out-of-school-time programs (after school or summer) do not fall within EdVestors' grant-making focus and will not be considered for funding. If a larger school improvement project involves a component of programming outside the school day, the project would be eligible for funding so long as the out-of-school-time activities are closely tied to overall improvement efforts in the school(s).

How much money should I request?

Normally, grants from EdVestors range between $50,000 and $60,000 per year for two years, with some variation possible depending on the nature of the project. Applicants should contact EdVestors if they have questions about the grant request amount.

How does EdVestors make grant decisions?

EdVestors has a highly inclusive grant review process, which ensures that many diverse viewpoints are incorporated into the selection of grantees. EdVestors works with a forty-member Education Review Panel (ERP) which includes front-line educators, experts from the field of education, and leaders from the nonprofit, philanthropic and business communities, to make all grant decisions. The ERP members, along with EdVestors staff, review all concept papers and full proposals and decide which full proposals should be recommended as Portfolio Finalists. Once Portfolio Finalists are selected, EdVestors donors meet with staff to decide which initiative(s) they wish to invest in.

Does EdVestors do site visits to applicants?

Yes. EdVestors staff will schedule site visits with a portion of the applicants who have been invited to submit a full proposal. Site visits will be scheduled during the month of February.

What is the Urban Education Investment Showcase?

The Showcase is an opportunity for donors – whether individuals, giving circles, or foundations – to select their own grantees from a pool of pre-vetted, high-quality education initiatives. At the Showcase, project leaders present their cases for support directly before likely and potential donors.

If I am selected to present at the Showcase, am I assured of funding?

No. Although EdVestors has a strong track record of funding Portfolio Finalists (those initiatives selected to present at the Showcase), final grant decisions are made by the donors themselves. Following the Showcase, EdVestors staff work closely with participating donors to confirm their individual grant commitments. This process normally takes 6-8 weeks. Grant announcements will be made in mid-June.