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Supports & Resources
We strive to make our application process equitable, transparent, and as supportive as possible. Browse our resources and supports.
Application Guide
Read our 2025 Funding Application Guide to see questions in advance and review helpful information as you go through the application process.
Webinar
View our webinar recording and slide deck to discover more about our funding opportunity, explore our investment focus areas, preview the application process, and gain insights from our investment teams. If you have questions on how to navigate the funding portal, view our Application Walkthrough.
Office Hours
Join our office hours to ask questions in small groups about the application process, venture experience, or your eligibility. Drop in at any point during the designated time. We ask that you register in advance to share your questions and contact information. We strongly recommend watching our webinar recording before attending an office hour session.
Contact Us
Contact us at any time by submitting a question via our inquiry form and receive a response within 3 business days. Please note, our offices will be closed from December 23, 2024 – January 3, 2025 and we will not be responding to inquiries during this time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply to this funding opportunity?
This funding opportunity is open for ideas that align with at least one of our investment areas: Innovative Schools, Learning Solutions, Teaching Reimagined, or Learning Differences.
The first step to apply is to complete the eligibility form, which will help you understand if your idea is aligned with this funding opportunity and which application is the best fit for your idea.
- Applicants who are opening a school will complete the schools application.
- Applicants who are aligned with the Learning Solutions, Teaching Reimagined, or Learning Differences investment areas will complete the general application.
You can preview the eligibility form and application questions in the application guide.
At what stage do you invest in ideas?
We invest in early-stage organizations, new initiatives within existing organizations, and new, innovative public schools.
Our Innovative Schools team invests in new schools opening in Fall 2025, Fall 2026, or Fall 2027.
Our Learning Solutions, Teaching Reimagined, and Learning Differences teams invest in ideas from the pilot through the first two years of implementation. We do not invest in ideas that cannot be piloted within a year or those that have been implemented for more than two years and are focused on growth and scale.
I am working on an impactful education policy. May I apply for funding?
No, NewSchools does not fund 501(c)(4)s or policy-focused efforts.
Eligibility Specific to Innovative Schools
What are the general requirements for schools to be eligible for funding?
To be eligible, schools must:
- Enroll students within the PK-12 grade span on a full-time basis
- Be eligible to receive public funding
- Be a first or second charter school in an emerging charter management organization
- Be a new district school with a path to secure the autonomies noted below
- Be a new charter school within a CMO that has a significantly different instructional model/ approach
Do charter schools have to be authorized by the application deadline?
Charter schools do not need to be authorized by the application deadline in order to move forward in the application process. However, we do take into account where in the authorization process teams are in relation to their launch year and any significant barriers to authorization before disbursing funding. We expect teams to have a clear plan for achieving this milestone and a strong understanding of their local context.
What autonomies do district schools need to be eligible for funding?
District schools must have autonomies in hiring, instructional design, and school management. These do not need to be formalized by the application timeline but should be secured before the school opens to receive additional funding. We do, however, require a letter of support from the district’s superintendent or designee at the time of application to consider your school proposal for funding.
What kinds of schools are not eligible for funding?
We are not funding restarts, turnarounds, replications, or expansions within established charter management organizations, nor are we funding redesigns of existing schools or schools within schools.
What do you consider to be restarts or turnarounds?
A turnaround involves replacing key leadership and staff, while a restart refers to transferring control from an existing school to another operator. We do not provide funding to existing schools. If you’re unsure about your school’s designation, please contact us.
Are virtual and hybrid school models eligible?
Yes, virtual and hybrid models are eligible, provided they are new public schools and meet the criteria noted above.
Are preschool centers eligible?
No, if the center only serves Pre-K students they are not eligible. Eligible schools must also serve multiple grades in the K-12 range at full enrollment.
What if I am launching a school in Fall 2028 or beyond?
We do not currently have an open funding opportunity for schools launching in Fall 2028 or later.
Will our grant term and funding amount be different depending on what year we plan to open (Fall 2025, Fall 2026 or Fall 2027)?
Yes, for teams opening Fall 2025, you are applying for our three-year launch grant which supports school operation. For teams opening in Fall 2026 or Fall 2027, you are applying for one of our planning grants.
- Schools opening in Fall 2026 will receive a one-year planning grant of $200,000.
- Schools opening in Fall 2027 will receive planning funding over the course of two years. Cumulative grants range from $150,000 to $250,000 and funds are disbursed in two payments over the grant-term. The second disbursement is contingent upon meeting annual milestones.
- Schools opening in Fall 2025 will receive funding that supports the first three years of the school’s operation. Cumulative grants range from $200,000 to $645,000 and funds are disbursed over three years, contingent upon meeting annual milestones. Factors such as enrollment, governance, and stage of idea will be used to calculate the final award.
Eligibility Specific to Learning Solutions, Learning Differences, and Teaching Reimagined
Must I have a legally incorporated organization to be eligible for funding?
No, you do not need to be incorporated to apply. We can grant funds through fiscal sponsors or directly to individuals, but you should be working towards securing nonprofit or for-profit status. For more information, please complete our eligibility form.
Must I have a new organization to be eligible for funding?
Not necessarily. We prioritize new organizations but also fund new initiatives within existing ones. We focus on truly new efforts, not expansions or improvements of ideas that have been implemented for 2+ years. For more information, please complete our eligibility form.
If I receive funding, do I need to lead this work full time?
We expect a dedicated leader for both new organizations and initiatives. For new organizations, a full-time commitment is expected within 6 months of receiving the grant. For initiatives within existing organizations, the leader should dedicate at least 50% of their time to the work.
What type of financial support do ventures receive?
Ventures typically receive a one-year, unrestricted grant ranging from $150,000 to $250,000, depending on the stage of the idea. The grant term for schools opening in Fall 2025 or Fall 2027 extend beyond one year, with varied grant sizes; more information can be found in the Schools FAQs.
Are there other supports that I will receive in addition to funding?
Yes! In addition to financial support, venture leaders participate in a Community of Practice to build relationships and learn from peer organizations. You’ll also receive one-on-one support from a member of our staff, access to national experts, and resources in areas like school model or program design, staffing, DEI, fundraising, financial sustainability, and operations. We also provide support related to data collection, impact measurement, and continuous improvement.
Learn more about our comprehensive support through this video.
What materials do I need to complete the application?
View our Application Guide. When you’re ready, create an account in our funding portal to complete the eligibility form and submit your application.
Do you provide any support during the application process?
Yes, we offer several opportunities for support, including:
- Webinar Recording | Slide Deck
- Application Guide
- Office Hours:
- Inquiry Form: Contact us at any time by submitting a question via our inquiry form and receive a response within 3 business days. Please note, our offices will be closed from December 23, 2024 – January 3, 2025 and we will not be responding to inquiries during this time.
When will I get an update on the status of my application? If I’m selected, when will I receive funding?
Applicants will receive an update on the status of their application by March 2025 and funding decisions by June 2025. Funding will be disbursed in the summer of 2025.
How can I continue to learn more about your funding opportunities?
Join our email list to stay up to date on future funding opportunities.
What if I am not ready to apply?
If you’re not ready to apply, that’s okay! You can join our email list for future opportunities. We invest in early-stage ideas, so you don’t need a fully operational organization to apply. If you’re unsure, submit an inquiry via our inquiry form.