← Back to US Funders Directory

George Lucas Educational Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.0M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.5M

George Lucas Educational Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,003,547 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $500,000+
  • Geographic Focus: United States, K-12 education

Contact Details

Website: https://glef.org/

Edutopia: https://www.edutopia.org/

Phone: (415) 662-1660

Address: P.O. Box 3494, San Rafael, CA 94912

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funding

Overview

The George Lucas Educational Foundation (GLEF) was founded in 1991 by filmmaker George Lucas and Steve Arnold as a private operating foundation dedicated to transforming pre-K-12 education. The foundation significantly increased its assets in 2012 when it received the majority of proceeds from the $4.05 billion sale of Lucasfilm to The Walt Disney Company. With approximately $6.7 million in assets and $11.9 million in revenue, GLEF operates primarily through two main initiatives: Edutopia, a nonprofit publisher documenting and publicizing exemplary K-12 education practices through digital media, and Lucas Education Research, which conducts and disseminates research on effective educational practices. In 2023, the foundation provided $1,003,547 in grants across 8 awards. Unlike traditional grantmaking foundations, GLEF functions as an operating foundation, conducting its own programs while strategically funding select partners who develop and implement its educational initiatives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Strategic Research Grants: $10,000 - $500,000+ - Funds university-based researchers and educational research firms conducting studies that validate the foundation's educational approaches (invitation-only)
  • Program Implementation Grants: Variable amounts - Supports organizations implementing GLEF's validated educational models in K-12 settings (invitation-only)

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on six core educational strategies:

  1. Project-Based Learning - Hands-on, real-world learning experiences
  2. Social and Emotional Learning - Communication, conflict resolution, and emotional development
  3. Comprehensive Assessment - Alternative approaches to evaluating student learning
  4. Integrated Studies - Cross-disciplinary learning approaches
  5. Teacher Development - Supporting educators in adopting innovative practices
  6. Technology Integration - Effective use of educational technology in classrooms

What They Don't Fund

  • Unsolicited proposals from organizations without existing relationships
  • General operating support outside their strategic priorities
  • Individual student scholarships or fellowships
  • Construction or capital campaigns
  • Organizations outside the K-12 education sector

Governance and Leadership

Founder: George Lucas (filmmaker) - Founded the organization in 1991 with Steve Arnold

Board Members:

  • Mellody Hobson - Co-CEO and President of Ariel Investment Trust
  • Stephen D. Arnold
  • Robert S. Bradley

George Lucas on Education: In his Giving Pledge letter, Lucas wrote, "I am dedicating the majority of my wealth to improving education," pointing to education support as his number one philanthropic priority.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The George Lucas Educational Foundation explicitly states it "does not accept unsolicited requests for funding" and "actively pursues its mission through direct initiatives and projects."

Grants are limited to preselected charitable organizations, with funding decisions made based on strategic alignment with the foundation's direct initiatives. The foundation identifies and approaches potential grantees rather than reviewing applications.

Getting on Their Radar

Lucas Education Research Partnerships: The foundation identifies strategic collaborations with university-based researchers and educational research firms. Organizations conducting research on project-based learning, social-emotional learning, or the foundation's other core strategies may attract attention through publication and dissemination of aligned research.

Edutopia Network: Schools and districts successfully implementing the educational practices featured on Edutopia may position themselves as potential implementation partners. While Edutopia itself does not consult with schools, demonstrating successful implementation of featured practices can create visibility.

Research Validation Focus: The foundation funded multiple research teams between 2013-2023 focused on validating rigorous project-based learning effectiveness. Universities with education research programs studying the foundation's six core strategies have historically attracted partnership opportunities.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As an invitation-only funder, the foundation operates on its own strategic timeline rather than fixed grant cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the invitation-only approach. Ongoing relationships appear to be multi-year partnerships rather than discrete grant cycles.

Application Success Factors

Since GLEF does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations cannot directly apply for funding. However, understanding what the foundation values can help organizations align their work:

  • Alignment with Core Strategies: Organizations whose work validates or implements project-based learning, social and emotional learning, comprehensive assessment, integrated studies, teacher development, or technology integration are most likely to be considered.

  • Research Validation Emphasis: GLEF has invested heavily in university-based research partnerships. Organizations with rigorous research methodologies and capacity to produce evidence-based findings on educational effectiveness align with foundation priorities.

  • Progressive Educational Philosophy: According to Inside Philanthropy, "Edutopia is deep into six strategies, nearly all of which reflect a progressive approach to education," emphasizing student-centered learning and alternatives to traditional assessment.

  • Implementation Capacity: Past grantees include Stanford University, Northwestern University, University of Southern California, Michigan State University, SRI International, and various school districts capable of implementing programs at scale.

  • K-12 Focus: All funding is focused on pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade education. Higher education institutions receive grants for their K-12 research, not their own educational programs.

  • Multi-Year Partnership Model: The foundation appears to value sustained relationships over one-time grants, suggesting preference for partners committed to long-term collaboration.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No application process exists - this foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant proposals
  • Focus on becoming visible in the field through research publication and innovative practice implementation
  • Alignment with the six core strategies is essential for attracting foundation attention
  • Research partnerships dominate the foundation's grantmaking approach
  • Implementation partners needed for putting validated practices into action at scale
  • Multi-year relationships are the norm rather than one-time grants
  • Consider the separate Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation (EIN: 20-3940983) which may have different grantmaking approaches

References

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Join the Launch ListLearn More
← Back to US Funders Directory