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Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.3M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M
Decision Time
7mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,263,338 (FY 2024 expenses)
  • Total Revenue: $17,324,729 (FY 2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Varies by program
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $50,000 (depending on program)
  • Geographic Focus: Los Angeles County, California
  • Founded: 2019

Contact Details

Website: www.glaef.org

Email: info@glaef.org

Phone: (310) 689-3300 or (562) 250-5195

Address: 9300 Imperial Highway EC 106, Downey, California, 90242

Overview

The Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation (GLAEF) was established in 2019 as the premier philanthropic partner of the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) and the 80 school districts served throughout the county. With total assets of $19.5 million and annual revenue of $17.3 million (FY 2024), GLAEF addresses the region's most pressing educational equity challenges impacting vulnerable communities by providing access to empowering and innovative educational resources. The foundation's mission is to advance deeper collaboration between schools and communities to disrupt inequity and meet the needs of today's diverse learners across Los Angeles County. GLAEF has earned a 4/4 Star rating on Charity Navigator and has recently established major initiatives including a $12.75 million Inglewood Youth Education Fund endowment and a Wildfire Recovery Fund launched in January 2025.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Inglewood Youth Education Fund: $25,000 - $50,000

  • Grant funds support programs for youth ages 0-24 residing in Inglewood
  • Focus areas: Post-secondary preparation initiatives, Youth Innovation and STEM Design Camps, Keeping Students in School initiatives
  • Up to eight grants anticipated per funding cycle
  • Grant period: October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026
  • Application method: Online portal at www.glaef.org/grantmaking
  • Next cycle announcement: February 2025; grantees announced September 2025

Teachers of the Year Equitable Innovation Grants: $1,000 - $3,000

  • Awarded directly to educators to implement innovative solutions
  • 2023 cycle awarded $60,000 total to Los Angeles County educators
  • Eligible to Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year
  • Application method: Online form plus written portion

Expanded Learning Community of Practice Program: Up to $60,000

  • Direct grants to selected high school sites to expand out-of-school time programming
  • Includes collaborative Community of Practice for participating schools
  • Supports staffing, student recruitment, and program expansion

LA County Education Wildfire Recovery Fund: Variable amounts

  • Launched January 2025 in response to wildfires
  • Supports basic needs relief, counseling, legal advocacy, infrastructure improvements, and student enrichment
  • Serves students, families, and educators across affected districts

Priority Areas

GLAEF focuses on:

  • Educational equity and disrupting systemic inequity
  • Supporting diverse learners, including multilingual learners
  • Community schools expansion (supporting 23 schools, planning for 30+ additional schools)
  • Early childhood education initiatives
  • Post-secondary preparation
  • Youth innovation and STEM education
  • Professional development for educators
  • School-based counseling and student support services
  • Crisis response and disaster recovery

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations or programs outside Los Angeles County
  • For-profit organizations
  • Programs that do not serve students from low-income families or that charge participants
  • Programs outside their priority areas (not specified explicitly, but focus is clearly on K-24 education equity)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

  • Dr. Monte E. Perez (Board Chair) - Interim President for East Los Angeles College
  • Dr. Debra Duardo - Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools
  • Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater Bond - Former member of the Los Angeles County Board of Education
  • Capri Maddox - Executive Director, Los Angeles Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department
  • Dr. Elizabeth Graswich - Executive Director of Communications, LACOE
  • Ms. Rogers - Vice President, School & Community Development, California Credit Union
  • David Sanford - Founder and General Partner, Tempest Capital Management
  • Chris Steinhauser - Member, Board of Trustees, The California State University; former superintendent of Long Beach Unified School District (2002-2020)

Executive Leadership

  • Kerry Franco - President and Chief Deputy of Strategic Partnerships and Innovation (since June 2022; compensation: $231,525)
  • Samuel Gelinas - Vice President of Programs, Strategy, and Development (compensation: $138,886)
  • Jessica Catalan - Director of Programs and External Relations
  • Alexandra Marmion Roosa - CFO (compensation: $102,600)

Key Quote from Leadership:

Kerry Franco on the Wildfire Recovery Fund: "Every dollar donated to this fund goes directly to helping our school communities rebuild and recover."

Kerry Franco on the 3-Year Anniversary: "We are looking ahead and ready to take our place as LA County's regional education foundation."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications vary by grant program:

Inglewood Youth Education Fund:

  • Online portal: www.glaef.org/grantmaking
  • Requires nonprofit, school, district/LEA, or public agency status
  • Must serve youth ages 0-24 residing in Inglewood
  • Must serve students from low-income families at no cost to participants

Teachers of the Year Equitable Innovation Grants:

  • Two-part application: Online form plus written portion
  • Open to Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year
  • Check GLAEF website for current cycle information

Other Programs:

  • Contact GLAEF directly at info@glaef.org or (310) 689-3300
  • GLAEF also offers fiscal sponsorship services for mission-aligned education projects

Decision Timeline

Inglewood Youth Education Fund:

  • Next cycle announcement: February 2025
  • Grantees announced: September 2025
  • Grant period: October 1, 2025 - September 30, 2026

Other Programs:

  • Timelines vary by program; contact GLAEF for specific information

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Inglewood Youth Education Fund anticipates awarding up to eight grants per cycle.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies not explicitly stated. Contact GLAEF for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Based on GLAEF's mission and funded projects, successful applications should:

Demonstrate Educational Equity Focus:

  • Show clear commitment to disrupting systemic inequity
  • Address needs of vulnerable communities and diverse learners
  • Provide services at no cost to participants from low-income families

Align with GLAEF's Priority Areas:

  • Recent funded projects include: filmmaking equipment for underserved students, high school ropes courses for team building, elementary library makeovers with diverse books, multi-disciplinary arts programs supporting trauma healing and restorative justice, and college preparation for HBCU applications
  • Projects should emphasize innovation, equity, and sustainable impact

Serve Los Angeles County:

  • Must serve students, families, or educators in LA County
  • For Inglewood Youth Education Fund, must specifically serve Inglewood residents under age 24

Show Community Collaboration:

  • GLAEF emphasizes "deeper collaboration between schools and communities"
  • Demonstrate partnerships and community support

Provide Clear Outcomes:

  • Articulate how funds will be used effectively
  • Show realistic budgets tied to program delivery
  • Demonstrate qualifications to implement the program

Address Full Needs of Students:

  • GLAEF's vision emphasizes addressing students' "full needs" to thrive in college, career, and life
  • Consider holistic approaches including social-emotional support, academic enrichment, and basic needs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Focus on equity: Every application should demonstrate clear commitment to educational equity and serving vulnerable communities in Los Angeles County
  • Align with strategic priorities: Community schools, multilingual learners, early childhood education, expanded learning, and crisis response are key focus areas
  • Serve low-income students: Programs must be provided at no cost to participants from low-income families
  • Build on partnerships: GLAEF values collaboration between schools, districts, community organizations, and county agencies
  • Think regionally: As LA County's regional education foundation, GLAEF supports initiatives that can have impact across multiple districts
  • Consider fiscal sponsorship: For projects that need 501(c)(3) status, GLAEF offers Model C fiscal sponsorship for mission-aligned education initiatives
  • Multiple pathways: GLAEF operates various grant programs - identify the best fit for your organization and goals

References

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