New Schools Fund
NewSchools Venture Fund is a public charity based in Oakland, California, formed in 1998. It raises philanthropic funds and makes grants to early-stage education organizations and new initiatives within existing organizations, while also offering support such as coaching, research access, convenings, and peer connections.
New Schools Fund at a glance
In short: New Schools Fund gave $19.4M across 102 grants in 2024 (avg $190K), top state New York. 47% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $19,385,500
- -39.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 102
- -34.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $190,054
- -7.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $200,000
- Total assets
- $70,939,482
- +6.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 47% first-time grantees (48 of 102, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (20% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to New Schools Fund
- How to Apply
-
The 2026 general funding window is closed. The website directs prospective applicants to its funding-opportunity materials and describes an application process; the GenAI Math Tutoring opportunity is listed as open.
- Review Cycle
- The listed deadline for the 2025–2026 general funding opportunity was January 8, 2026, which has passed. No deadline is provided here for the GenAI Math Tutoring opportunity.
- Deadline
- The listed deadline for the 2025–2026 general funding opportunity was January 8, 2026, which has passed.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1616 Franklin Street 2Nd Floor, Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (415) 615-6860
Website: https://newschools.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
8 open opportunities from New Schools Fund
Educator Diversity (Teachers of Color) Funding Opportunity
New Schools Fund
Amount
$150,000 - $200,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
GenAI K-12 Math Tutoring Solutions
New Schools Fund
Amount
Up to $300,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
NewSchools: GenAI Math Tutoring Funding Opportunity
New Schools Fund
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who New Schools Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Fund for Public Schools ($701K). Together the top 10 received $3.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
744 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 471 grants of 744 (63%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
NewSchools describes its general funding opportunity as nationwide. In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were New York (20%), California (12%), Texas (9%), Georgia (7%), and Tennessee (5%). These figures describe 2024 grant recipients, not an exclusive geographic focus.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 102 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is New Schools Fund open to new grantees?
47%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 48 of 102 grantees (47%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $204K; repeat grants $178K. How we count
Medians: $215K first-time, $165K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $19.4M (2024) to $40.4M (2022). In 2024 it made 102 grants totaling $19.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fund for Public Schools New York, NY | Innovative Schools | $701,250 |
| Central Queens Academy Elmhurst, NY | Innovative Schools | $322,500 |
| Foust Gaming and Robotics School (Guilford County Schools) Greensboro, NC | Innovative Schools | $315,000 |
| Radical Arts Academy Denver Denver, CO | Innovative Schools | $315,000 |
| Edgecombe County Public Schools Tarboro, NC | Innovative Schools | $315,000 |
| Chattacademy Community School Chattanooga, TN | Innovative Schools | $302,500 |
| Excelsior Village Academies Inc Fairburn, GA | Innovative Schools | $285,000 |
| Bedford Stuyvesant New Beginnings Charter Schools Brooklyn, NY | Innovative Schools | $272,500 |
| Believe Schools Indianapolis, IN | Innovative Schools | $265,000 |
| McEl (Men of Color in Ed Leadership) Riverview, FL | Diverse Leaders & Racial Equity | $250,000 |
Ready to take the next step with New Schools Fund?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $70,939,482 | $41,832,970 | $36,108,555 | $19,385,500 | 102 | $1,527,689 |
| 2023 | $66,393,420 | $49,069,499 | $54,520,195 | $31,996,500 | 156 | $3,993,429 |
| 2022 | $72,482,557 | $74,508,851 | $59,432,356 | $40,429,130 | 186 | $1,807,772 |
| 2021 | $55,397,321 | $41,218,694 | $46,697,486 | $33,486,000 | 159 | $4,113,585 |
| 2020 | $79,742,823 | $65,331,687 | $42,336,876 | $21,219,848 | 141 | $6,285,491 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
In its filing, NewSchools states its mission is “to improve public education by identifying and supporting the most promising education ventures in the country, and creating a nationwide network of education entrepreneurs committed to closing the achievement gap.”
Its current website identifies four investment areas: Innovative Schools, Learning Solutions, Teaching Reimagined, and Learning Differences. These include new innovative public schools; K–8 reading and math solutions; approaches that redesign educator roles, connect schools and communities, or use AI to support teaching; and solutions for students with diagnosed or undiagnosed learning disabilities. The 2024 filing also lists Diverse Leaders/Racial Equity among its investment areas.
Examples of grantees’ work include Central Queens Academy Charter School, whose stated mission is to prepare students for success through literacy, high academic standards, and culturally responsive support services; ChattAcademy, which aims to graduate bilingual, biliterate critical thinkers through language immersion; and Cultivating Literacy, which helps families of early readers support children’s reading and writing. Lead Liberated describes its work as helping leaders of color address racism in leadership and organizational practices.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, NewSchools reported 102 grants totaling $19,385,500. Grant amounts ranged from $30,000 to $701,250, with a median of $200,000. The largest grants included $701,250 to the Fund for Public Schools for Innovative Schools, $322,500 to Central Queens Academy for Innovative Schools, and $315,000 each to Foust Gaming and Robotics School, Radical Arts Academy Denver, and Edgecombe County Public Schools, all for Innovative Schools. Other 2024 awards included $302,500 to ChattAcademy Community School for Innovative Schools and $250,000 each to MCEL and Educate78 for Diverse Leaders & Racial Equity.
NewSchools’ general funding opportunity offers one-year, unrestricted grants of $150,000 to $250,000, along with one-on-one coaching, access to national experts, and connections with peer organizations. Its website says the 2026 funding window is closed. The organization also lists a GenAI Math Tutoring Funding Opportunity as currently open; it seeks solutions for individualized or small-group math tutoring aligned with core instruction and evidence-based tutoring and math practices.
The 2026 general application materials include an application guide and webinars, with different application questions for Innovative Schools and the other investment areas. The filing says grant agreements may require milestones or reports and that grant partners conduct management-assistance calls, site visits, and interim reporting during grant periods.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Frances Messano as CEO and Cori Duncan as board chair. It lists board members Ime Archibong, Michelle Boyers, Brook Byers, Stacey Childress, Angel Morales, Lisette Nieves, Kim Smith, and Paula Sneed.
New Schools Fund is led by Frances Messano, CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 11 of 21 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Frances Messano
CEO
Senior Managing Partner → President & Secretary, 2021
President & Secretary → CEO, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$343K (2020) → $502K (2024)
Cori Duncan
Board Chair
Board Member → Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jason Atwood
Director, Research & Learn
Director → Director, Research & Learning, 2023
Director, Research & Learning → Director, Research & Learn, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$205K (2020) → $237K (2024)
Maggie Andrews
Director & Development
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$230K (2023) → $240K (2024)
Jessica Henry
Director & Operations
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$224K (2024)
Wendy Ann Dixon-Dubois
Director & Communications
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$233K (2024)
Heather McManus
Chief People Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$211K (2020) → $325K (2024)
Stacey Childress
Board Member
CEO & President → CEO, 2022
CEO → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$597K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Cameron White
Partner
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$204K (2021) → $247K (2024)
Christopher Lozier
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Operating Officer → Chief Operating Officer & Treasurer, 2023
Chief Operating Officer & Treasurer → Chief Operating Officer, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$120K (2022) → $311K (2024)
Mia Howard
Managing Partner
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$233K (2022) → $289K (2024)
Delicia Jones
Chief Strategy Officer & Secretary
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$305K (2023) → $318K (2024)
Natalie Wilson
Partner & Equitable Investi
Partner & Equitable Investing → Partner & Equitable Investi, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$229K (2023) → $243K (2024)
Brook Byers
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charlie Wolfson
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ime Archibong
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kim Smith
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisette Nieves
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paula Sneed
Board Member
Board Chair → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Angel Morales
Board Member
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Boyers
Board Member
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Christopher Gabrieli (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Danielle Kristine Toussaint (2022–2023) — Chief Ext. Affairs Officer
- Former: Amy Omand (2020–2022) — CFO & Treasurer
- Former: Rob Stavis (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Lionel Bialis-White (2021–2022) — Partner
- Former: Katiusca Moreno (2022) — Senior Partner & Diverse Leaders
- Former: Miho Kubagawa (2020–2021) — Partner
- Former: Elaine Lenore (2021) — Director
- Former: Daryl Peagler (2020) — COO & Secretary
- Former: Jason Weeby (2020) — Director
- Former: Melina Uncapher (2020) — Director Fiscal Sponsorship
- Former: Scott Benson (2020) — Managing Partner
- Former: Tiffany Cheng Nyaggah (2020) — Partner
- Former: Tonika Cheek Clayton (2020) — Managing Partner
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $502K, to Frances Messano (CEO). 11 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about New Schools Fund
How much does New Schools Fund give each year?
New Schools Fund gave $19.4M across 102 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $32.0M across 156 grants.
What is New Schools Fund's typical grant size?
New Schools Fund's median grant in 2024 was $200,000, and its average grant was $190,054, across 102 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from New Schools Fund that year got $204K on average.
Where does New Schools Fund give grants?
New Schools Fund's top state is New York, with 20% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were California (12%) and Texas (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (8 grants), San Antonio, TX (4 grants), Atlanta, GA (4 grants) and Brooklyn, NY (3 grants).
Does New Schools Fund give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 102 grants with a stated purpose on New Schools Fund's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Innovative Schools" (59 grants), "Learning Solutions" (23 grants) and "Diverse Leaders & Racial Equity" (7 grants).
Who are New Schools Fund's largest grantees?
New Schools Fund's largest 2024 grantees include Fund for Public Schools ($701,250), Central Queens Academy ($322,500) and Foust Gaming and Robotics School (Guilford County Schools) ($315,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 7% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is New Schools Fund?
New Schools Fund reported $70.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $41.8M.
What does New Schools Fund fund?
In its filing, NewSchools states its mission is “to improve public education by identifying and supporting the most promising education ventures in the country, and creating a nationwide network of education entrepreneurs committed to closing the achievement gap.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from New Schools Fund?
The 2026 general funding window is closed. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is New Schools Fund's EIN?
New Schools Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-3281780. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 29, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 20, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 16, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 29, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work New Schools Fund funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in New Schools Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Charter Fund Inc D/B/a Charter School Growth Fund
Denver, CO
Charter School Growth Fund supports high-performing nonprofit public charter schools and networks, especially those serving underserved students, with funding for growth and capacity-building across the United States and its territories. Its 2024 grants had a median of $250,000; Seed grants are typically $250,000–$750,000, while Scale funding starts at $750,000 and may include low-interest loans. The profile describes Seed and Scale application processes but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$720.3M
Grants
304
Total Given
$143.5M
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
Walton Family Foundation Inc
Bentonville, AR
The Walton Family Foundation funds K–12 education, river and ocean conservation, and quality-of-life initiatives in Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta; its grants also support organizations and projects elsewhere in the U.S. Its 2024 grants had a median of $200,000, with awards ranging from $1,000 to $35.6 million. It does not accept unsolicited requests except from eligible public charter school developers applying to its startup grant program; other organizations must first submit a letter of inquiry and await an invitation.
Assets
$6.1B
Grants
1,020
Total Given
$562.3M
Carnegie Corporation of New York
New York, NY
Carnegie Corporation of New York funds education, civic participation and opportunity, democracy, and international peacebuilding, with work in the United States and internationally. Its 2025 grants had a median of $225,000, and it says it does not accept unsolicited funding requests; program staff identify and contact nearly all grantees.
Assets
$4.8B
Grants
591
Total Given
$174.4M
Gates Foundation
Seattle, WA
The Gates Foundation funds work to reduce disease and poverty, improve health and gender equality in lower-income countries, and support education and economic mobility in the United States, especially Washington State; it works in more than 140 countries. Its 2024 grants had a median of $500,000, with awards ranging from $1 to $350.5 million. It generally does not accept unsolicited proposals, but periodically offers opportunities through published requests for proposals.
Assets
$78.7B
Grants
4,974
Total Given
$6.3B
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation
Menlo Park, CA
The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation funds education, climate and conservation, the arts, democracy, gender equity, racial justice, and efforts to strengthen nonprofits and philanthropy, with work spanning the San Francisco Bay Area, the U.S. West, and locations including East and West Africa and Mexico. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $150,000, though amounts varied widely. It generally does not accept unsolicited requests, but sometimes invites proposals through open processes.
Assets
$14.2B
Grants
2,001
Total Given
$625.0M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). New Schools Fund funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/new-schools-fund-morg_33a58abfd7a44ff88c92d21bf9e1ad1b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_943281780_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{New Schools Fund funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/new-schools-fund-morg_33a58abfd7a44ff88c92d21bf9e1ad1b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from New Schools Fund's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
New Schools Fund down — hundreds of funders to go?