Ensure every young person in New England has access to excellent, rigorous, and relevant educational experiences that support their healthy development and prepare them to thrive in school, community, and careers of the future.
Nellie Mae Education Foundation Inc. pairs large-scale regional grantmaking with a clear emphasis on racial equity, community engagement, and systems change in New England. In 2025, its largest recent award in the data was a $2,995,000 grant to The Bridgespan Group for capacity building accelerator provider work, alongside seven-figure support to Schott Foundation for Public Education and Fsg Inc for strategic impact and systems transformation efforts across the region. The foundation also backs community-school partnerships, youth voice, and organizations led by people of color, showing a portfolio that reaches from field-building intermediaries to local coalitions and culturally rooted groups. Recent grants also point to a strong interest in strengthening the infrastructure around education work, not only direct programming. Brown University received $850,000 for education research infrastructure in New England, while Fund for the City of New York received $600,000 for the launch of the Center for Youth and the Future of Work and a national study. Other awards support partner organizations that convene, coach, and help regional actors align around student success, educator leadership, and public education change.
Community-school partnerships are a recurring theme. In 2023, Nellie Mae Education Foundation Inc. gave $900,000 each to Pioneer Valley Project Inc., Manchester Public Schools, and Worcester Education Collaborative (United Way of Central Massachusetts) for advancing community-school partnerships. In 2024, it awarded $312,000 to Central Falls School District for the same purpose, and $523,070 to Portland Empowered Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition for supporting community-school partnerships. The foundation also invests in youth leadership. Roger Williams University received $545,000 in 2023 for the Youth Leadership Institute and NEYON membership organizations, plus $367,000 in 2023 and $355,000 in 2024 for amplifying youth voice and leadership. Another area is support for organizations led by people of color, including $375,719 to Beloved Community in 2023 as a technical assistance provider for organizations led by people of color and $312,000 to Save Girls on Fyer Inc. for supporting organizations led by people of color.
$21M
$543M
$40.9M
$30M
Most grants fall between $12K and $100K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$12K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$100K
DR GISELE SHORTER
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Typical grant size sits at a $12,000 p25, $25,000 median, and $100,000 p75, but the recent grants list also shows occasional larger capacity-building awards in the hundreds of thousands and into the millions. The foundation appears to make repeated investments over multiple years in partner organizations such as Roger Williams University and New Venture Fund, suggesting ongoing relationships rather than one-off grants alone. It is a regular funder, not a donor-advised fund or an individual-giving vehicle, and the active programs include both unsolicited funds and invitation-based areas. Some grant streams are clearly structured for operating support, rapid response, technical assistance, and field-building.
Grantmaking is regional and heavily concentrated in New England. Massachusetts is the top state by grant count, and 39% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent awards reach multiple New England cities, including Boston, Worcester, Quincy, Springfield, Lowell, Brockton, Waterbury, Central Falls, Providence, Manchester, and Portland. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based in the data, with 631 grants to U.S. recipients.
The foundation focuses on organizations connected to public education in New England, especially BIPOC-led organizations, coalitions and movements, youth-led efforts, educators and school leaders, and community-based partners. Its active programs also emphasize racial equity, community-rooted solutions, youth voice, and systems change.
Yes. The recent grants list includes multiple community-school partnership awards, including $900,000 each to Pioneer Valley Project Inc., Manchester Public Schools, and Worcester Education Collaborative, plus $312,000 to Central Falls School District and $523,070 to Portland Empowered Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition.
The typical grant size in the data is $12,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes much larger awards, including a $2,995,000 grant and several awards at or above $500,000.
Yes. The foundation’s geographic scope is regional, and its programs are built around New England. Massachusetts receives the most grants, and 39% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, while the recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
Some active funds accept unsolicited proposals, including the Supporting Organizations Led by People of Color Fund, the Partnerships, Coalitions and Movements Fund, and the Amplifying Youth Voice Fund. Other grant areas, including rapid response, operating support, and field-building grants, are listed as not accepting unsolicited requests.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Nellie Mae Education Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations and communities seeking one-time event support that closely aligns with the foundation's mission, vision, and values; applicants should review the Criteria and Eligibility sections of the Event Sponsorship Guidelines.
Deadline: March 26, 2026; June 25, 2026; September 10, 2026; November 5, 2026
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE BRIDGESPAN GROUP | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $2,995,000 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING ACCELERATOR PROVIDER |
| FSG INC | BOSTON, MA | $1,323,915 | 2025 | SYSTEMS TRANSFORMATION: BRIDGE STRATEGY |
| BROWN UNIVERSITY | PROVIDENCE, RI | $850,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVE: NEW KNOWLEDGE, INNOVATIONS, AND TRAINING IN NEW ENGLAND |
| FUND FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $600,000 | 2025 | LAUNCH OF THE CENTER FOR YOUTH AND THE FUTURE OF WORK AND A NATIONAL STUDY |
| NEW VENTURE FUND | BALTIMORE, MD | $500,000 | 2025 | OPERATING SUPPORT - COMMUNITIES FOR JUST SCHOOLS FUND |
| ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY | PROVIDENCE, RI | $500,000 | 2025 | RI MOVEMENT BUILDING |
| NATIONAL NETWORK OF STATE TEACHERS OF THE YEAR INC | WICHITA, KS | $460,000 | 2025 | EMPOWERED EDUCATOR VOICES FELLOWS |
| THE BRIDGESPAN GROUP | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $455,000 | 2025 | CONVENING CAPACITY BUILDING ACCELERATOR PARTICIPANTS |
| NEW VENTURE FUND | BALTIMORE, MD | $300,000 | 2025 | LEADING NOW - SUPERINTENDENT SUPPORT TO BUILD PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT SKILLS |
| FOUNDATION FOR LOUISIANA | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $300,000 | 2025 | SPONSORING EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCES FOR BIPOC LEADERS |
| THE BRIDGESPAN GROUP | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $275,000 | 2025 | FIELD BUILDING FOR EQUITABLE SYSTEMS CHANGE |
| ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $274,500 | 2025 | PARTNERSHIP FOR LEARNING 2024-26 |
| EDUCATION RESOURCE STRATEGIES | WATERTOWN, MA | $265,000 | 2025 | NEW ENGLAND COHORT FOR K-12 RESOURCE EQUITY |
| THE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY | LONG ISLAND CITY, NY | $264,618 | 2025 | SCALING EQUITABLE PRACTICE IN PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS |
| MID-ATLANTIC EQUITY CONSORTIUM | BETHESDA, MD | $264,213 | 2025 | ADVANCING SYSTEMS: TRANSFORMATION FOR EDUCATION JUSTICE |
| AMALGAMATED CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION FORWARD FUND |
| RHODE ISLAND KIDS COUNT | PROVIDENCE, RI | $250,000 | 2025 | ADVOCACY COHORT 2024-26 |
| BROWN UNIVERSITY | PROVIDENCE, RI | $250,000 | 2025 | NATIONAL CONVENING ON COMMUNITY-ENGAGED RESEARCH |
| SCHOOL BOARD PARTNERS | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $250,000 | 2025 | REGIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM FOR SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS |
| PARENTSTOGETHER FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2025 | SHIFTING NARRATIVES: PROMOTING AND PROTECTING PUBLIC EDUCATION AMONG PARENT AUDIENCES |
| ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY | PROVIDENCE, RI | $242,680 | 2025 | NEYON 2024-25 |
| EDUCATE MAINE | PORTLAND, ME | $228,750 | 2025 | ADVOCACY COHORT 2024-26 |
| REACHING HIGHER NH | CONCORD, NH | $228,750 | 2025 | ADVOCACY COHORT 2024-26 |
| CONNECTICUT VOICES FOR CHILDREN | NEW HAVEN, CT | $228,750 | 2025 | ADVOCACY COHORT 2024-26 |
| PUBLIC ASSETS INSTITUTE | MONTPELIER, VT | $228,750 | 2025 | ADVOCACY COHORT 2024-26 1 |
| MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET & POLICY CENTER | BOSTON, MA | $228,750 | 2025 | ADVOCACY COHORT 2024-26 |
| EMBRACE BOSTON | BOSTON, MA | $200,000 | 2025 | EVERYONE250 SIGNATURE SERIES |
| EDITORIAL PROJECTS IN EDUCATION INC | BETHESDA, MD | $200,000 | 2025 | OPERATING SUPPORT FOR EDWEEK 2024-26 |
| ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY | PROVIDENCE, RI | $200,000 | 2025 | IMPLEMENTING YLI 2024 |
| NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR RESPONSIVE PHILANTHROPY | WASHINGTON, DC | $200,000 | 2025 | OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL PUBLIC EDUCATION SUPPORT FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $183,000 | 2025 | OPERATING GRANT 2024-26 |
| BEND THE ARC | NEW YORK, NY | $183,000 | 2025 | FCYO 2024-26 |
| RESIST INC | BOSTON, MA | $183,000 | 2025 | COALITIONS 2024-26 - MASSACHUSETTS EDUCATION JUSTICE ALLIANCE - EDUCATION FUND |
| NEW HAMPSHIRE SCHOOL FUNDING FAIRNESS PROJECT | CONCORD, NH | $183,000 | 2025 | OPERATING GRANT 2024-26 |
| PROGRESSNOW EDUCATION | EARLYSVILLE, VA | $183,000 | 2025 | GRANITE STATE PROGRESS 2024-26 |
| THE EDUCATION TRUST | WASHINGTON, DC | $183,000 | 2025 | DEEPENING AND EXPANDING THE WORK OF THE MASSACHUSETTS EDUCATION EQUITY PARTNERSHIP 2024-26 |
| OLNEYVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION | PROVIDENCE, RI | $183,000 | 2025 | COALITIONS 2024-26 - COALITION FOR A MULTILINGUAL RHODE ISLAND |
| EDUCATION JUSTICE COALITION OF VERMONT | BURLINGTON, VT | $183,000 | 2025 | COALITIONS 2024-26 |
| NH CENTER FOR JUSTICE AND EQUITY | MANCHESTER, NH | $183,000 | 2025 | OPERATING GRANT 2024-26 1 |
| ASIAN AMERICAN RESOURCE WORKSHOP | DORCHESTER, MA | $183,000 | 2025 | COALITIONS (APISCAN) 2024-26 |
| ROGER WILLIAMS UNIVERSITY | PROVIDENCE, RI | $183,000 | 2025 | OUR SCHOOLS PVD COALITION 2024-26 |
| UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS | WORCESTER, MA | $183,000 | 2025 | COALITIONS 2024-26 - WORCESTER EDUCATION COLLABORATIVE |
| EDUCATION LAW CENTER | NEWARK, NJ | $183,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC FUNDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS CAMPAIGN 2024-26 |
| THE BOSTON FOUNDATION | BOSTON, MA | $183,000 | 2025 | BOSTON OPPORTUNITY AGENDA 2024-26 |
| A BETTER WAY FOUNDATION | HARTFORD, CT | $183,000 | 2025 | COALITIONS |
| FUND FOR THE CITY OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $175,000 | 2025 | EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP CAPACITY BUILDING INITIATIVE |
| CONNECTICUT COUNCIL FOR PHILANTHROPY | HARTFORD, CT | $150,000 | 2025 | SOW CT 2024-26 |
| NATIONAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RIGHTS INITIATIVE | NEW YORK, NY | $137,250 | 2025 | DIGNITY IN SCHOOLS 2024-26 |
| MASSACHUSETTS COMMUNITIES ACTION NETWORK | DORCHESTER CENTER, MA | $137,250 | 2025 | COALITIONS YEAR 2024-26 |
| NATIONAL CENTER FOR CIVIC INNOVATION | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | LIBERATED 2023-24 REGRANT |
EDUCATION RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVE: NEW KNOWLEDGE, INNOVATIONS, AND TRAINING IN NEW ENGLAND
LAUNCH OF THE CENTER FOR YOUTH AND THE FUTURE OF WORK AND A NATIONAL STUDY
OPERATING SUPPORT - COMMUNITIES FOR JUST SCHOOLS FUND
NATIONAL NETWORK OF STATE TEACHERS OF THE YEAR INC
$460,000EMPOWERED EDUCATOR VOICES FELLOWS
CONVENING CAPACITY BUILDING ACCELERATOR PARTICIPANTS
LEADING NOW - SUPERINTENDENT SUPPORT TO BUILD PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT SKILLS
SPONSORING EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCES FOR BIPOC LEADERS
SCALING EQUITABLE PRACTICE IN PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS
MID-ATLANTIC EQUITY CONSORTIUM
$264,213ADVANCING SYSTEMS: TRANSFORMATION FOR EDUCATION JUSTICE
SHIFTING NARRATIVES: PROMOTING AND PROTECTING PUBLIC EDUCATION AMONG PARENT AUDIENCES
REACHING HIGHER NH
$228,750ADVOCACY COHORT 2024-26
EMBRACE BOSTON
$200,000EVERYONE250 SIGNATURE SERIES
EDITORIAL PROJECTS IN EDUCATION INC
$200,000OPERATING SUPPORT FOR EDWEEK 2024-26
COALITIONS 2024-26 - MASSACHUSETTS EDUCATION JUSTICE ALLIANCE - EDUCATION FUND
NEW HAMPSHIRE SCHOOL FUNDING FAIRNESS PROJECT
$183,000OPERATING GRANT 2024-26
DEEPENING AND EXPANDING THE WORK OF THE MASSACHUSETTS EDUCATION EQUITY PARTNERSHIP 2024-26
COALITIONS 2024-26 - COALITION FOR A MULTILINGUAL RHODE ISLAND
NH CENTER FOR JUSTICE AND EQUITY
$183,000OPERATING GRANT 2024-26 1
COALITIONS 2024-26 - WORCESTER EDUCATION COLLABORATIVE
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP CAPACITY BUILDING INITIATIVE
