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Public Charter Startup Grants

Supporting the creation and growth of diverse, high-quality charter schools
Providing grants to educators to develop and launch new schools
The Walton Family Foundation has supported the creation and growth of diverse, high-quality charter schools since 1997 as part of our effort to give all families — especially those with the greatest needs — the opportunity to choose the best options for their children. In our Public Charter Startup Grant Program, we focus on supporting high-quality and high-potential charter schools serving low-income children in our target geographies.

The foundation has invested more than $407 million to grow high-quality charter schools since 1997.

Going forward, the Walton Family Foundation is committed to helping high-performing charter management organizations expand and replicate what works. It is also committed to investing more in small, independent operators who have new ideas about how to provide high-quality educational options to high-needs students. We believe entrepreneurs with new ideas can innovate, answer communities’ demands, and create great schools that meet each child’s unique needs.

Paths to Funding Your School Startup

To receive Walton Family Foundation Public Charter Startup Grant funding, an applicant may follow one of two paths:

1. Apply to one of our partners — The foundation partners with local and national organizations to support qualified school operator affiliates. Startup support may be available to qualified affiliates of the following partners. If you are affiliated with one of the following, please reach out to your appropriate relationship manager at one of these partner organizations.

  • Charter School Growth Fund
  • The Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP)
  • Building Excellent Schools
  • New Schools Venture Fund
  • Educate 78 (Oakland only)
  • Silicon Schools (Oakland only)
  • Education Forward (Washington, D.C. only)

2. Apply directly to the Walton Family Foundation. We seek to fund high-quality and high-potential operators with plans to open new public schools in our target geographies. These schools will strive to transform learning and significantly improve academic outcomes for K-12 students, particularly those from traditionally underserved communities.

Information About Public Charter Startup Grants
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