Scale Grant

Scale Grant Overview

Geographic Scope: National (34 states, DC, and Puerto Rico)

Purpose: Support educational leaders and entrepreneurs who want to expand high-performing public charter schools by growing to serve roughly 1,000+ additional students in the next 3-5 years.

Funding Details

• Award Range: $750,000+ in grants and low-interest loans
• Disbursement: Over a 3-5 year period
• Target Growth: Schools and networks planning to open 3+ schools over 5-year period
• Timeline: Rolling application process (no set deadline)

What CSGF Offers

• Funding: Grants and low-interest loans to pursue multi-year plans for opening new schools and increasing impact
• Strategic Partnership: Works alongside charter leaders to navigate growth challenges and deliver for students/families. Team members bring financial and strategic expertise with school experience
• Community: Collaborative community among nation's foremost charter leaders
  • Annual Portfolio Retreat for CEOs
  • 15-20 smaller convenings annually for senior leaders
• Support, Insights & Solutions: Through impact team, provides:
  • Spotlights and shares practices for organizational improvement
  • Investments in scalable solutions and innovations
  • Short-term consulting support
  • Four practice areas: academics & character, talent, finance & operations, college access/alumni success

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Proven Leadership: 3-5 years of demonstrated success in leadership role (school, district, or charter network)
• Academic Excellence: Schools outperform local school district on state assessments; perform well compared to state average
• Commitment to Underserved Students: Serve students from underserved backgrounds including low-income, overage/under-credited, special needs, foster youth, and homeless youth
• Vision for Growth: Desire to grow and serve 1,000+ additional students by launching 3+ schools over 5-year period
• Strong Leadership: Leadership teams capable of building skills/expertise for ambitious goals
• Financial Sustainability: Commitment to operating on public funding without significant philanthropy when growth is complete
• Waiting Lists: Typically have waiting lists demonstrating demand

Scale Grant Application Process

Timeline: Rolling application process (no fixed deadlines)

Application Stages:

1. CONNECT
   • Provide basic information by completing brief questionnaire on website
   • CSGF will contact applicants to learn more about organization
2. ACADEMIC REVIEW
   • After initial conversation, CSGF collects information on academic performance and overall school health
   • Team reviews information and determines whether to move forward
3. RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING AND STRATEGIC PLANNING
   • Get to know applicant and organization's vision for serving more students
   • Work together to develop viable plan for growth and expansion
4. INVESTMENT
   • Provide multi-year grants and low-interest loans
   • Support school opening and impact increase

Application Materials

Applicants should prepare to demonstrate:

• Track record of 3-5 years leadership success
• Strong academic performance data relative to district and state peers
• Commitment to serving underserved student populations
• Clear vision for growing to serve 1,000+ additional students over 3-5 years
• Capability of leadership team to execute ambitious growth plans
• Evidence of demand (waiting lists)

Next Steps

• Fill out brief form on website
• CSGF team will contact if interested in learning more
• Progress through relationship-building and strategic planning phases