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Vela Education Fund

Annual Giving
$11.0M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.3M

Vela Education Fund - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $9-13 million (varies by year)
  • Total Grants Awarded: Over 2,000 grants totaling $24+ million since 2019
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $250,000
  • Geographic Focus: National (United States and its territories)
  • Charity Navigator Rating: 4/4 Stars (92% Accountability & Finance)
  • Decision Time: Rolling basis (specific timeline not publicly disclosed)

Contact Details

Website: https://vela.org

Email: hello@velaedufund.org

Mailing Address: VELA Education Fund c/o Website Queries 2200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 102 #162 Arlington, VA 22201

EIN: 84-4185046

Overview

Founded in 2019 by the Walton Family Foundation and the Charles Koch Institute (each contributing $5 million in start-up funding), VELA Education Fund is an independent national nonprofit that has quickly become the nation's leading supporter of non-traditional education models. With total assets of $14 million and annual giving ranging from $9-13 million, VELA has awarded more than 2,000 grants totaling over $24 million through 2024, serving more than six million learners and families across the country. The organization operates on a trust-based philanthropic model, believing that everyday entrepreneurs—students, parents, educators, and community leaders—know best how to support learners through custom education programs that meet families' unique needs. VELA's mission is to "accelerate education innovation and opportunity for every learner" by supporting those reimagining education outside traditional public, private, and charter school systems. The organization earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, demonstrating strong governance and transparency.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

VELA offers a tiered funding structure designed to support education entrepreneurs at different stages of development:

Microgrants: $2,500 or $10,000

  • Fast funding for everyday entrepreneurs building unconventional learning ecosystems
  • Support for students, parents, educators, and community leaders
  • Applications accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year
  • Must be a member of the free VELA Founder Network to apply

Next Step Grants: $25,000 - $50,000

  • Available to recipients who previously received a VELA Microgrant
  • For organizations ready to expand their proven models
  • Recent recipients include Black Homeschoolers of Birmingham, Burbella Learning Academy, Bridges to Science, and Rock Tree Sky and Bridge

Bridge Grants: Up to $250,000

  • For organizations prepared to scale their model widely
  • Supports innovations with proof of concept ready to test defined pilots
  • Recent recipients include Canary Academy, Moduto, Soaring Education Services, Microschool Builders, Black Mothers Forum, Colossal Academy, and Prenda

Priority Areas

VELA actively funds diverse non-traditional education models including:

  • Microschools: Small, personalized learning environments (recent examples: Adamo Education, Colossal Academy, Prenda)
  • Homeschool Co-ops and Enrichment Centers: Community-based support for homeschooling families (examples: Mountaineer Homeschool Hub, Classeteria, Black Homeschoolers of Birmingham)
  • Learning Pods: Small group learning environments created by families and educators
  • Forest Schools and Nature-Based Programs: Outdoor learning experiences (example: Barefoot University)
  • Hybrid Learning Models: Programs combining online and in-person instruction
  • Youth-Led Programming: Student-driven educational initiatives
  • After-School Programs: Supplemental learning opportunities outside traditional school hours
  • Incubators and Support Networks: Organizations that help others launch education innovations (examples: 100 Roads, 4.0 Schools, Microschool Builders)

All programs must serve K-12 learners and operate outside conventional schooling systems, with an education-first focus.

What They Don't Fund

VELA explicitly excludes:

  • Traditional public, private, and charter schools
  • Programs designed for conventional school systems or students enrolled in conventional schools
  • Daycare or early childhood programs (must serve K-12)
  • International organizations (funding must be used within the United States or its territories)
  • Planning grants (applicants must be operational now or in the immediate term)
  • Organizations without an education-first focus

Governance and Leadership

President/CEO: Meredith Olson

Meredith Olson was appointed President in 2021, having been involved with VELA since 2017 through her work with the Walton Family Foundation. She brings deep commitment to individualized education and trust-based approaches to educational innovation.

Key Staff Members: Lauren Grevel, Lindsay Kelly, Shaina Belton

Board Structure: VELA maintains an independent board with comprehensive policies regarding conflict of interest, whistleblower protections, and document retention, earning high marks (92%) for accountability and transparency from Charity Navigator.

Team Size: Approximately 8-9 dedicated staff members

Leadership Philosophy

Meredith Olson has articulated VELA's approach through various interviews:

  • On VELA's mission: "My focus has long been on ensuring an individualized education for every person, and I deeply believe VELA is well-positioned to further that goal, now more than ever before."

  • On traditional education: "In too many respects, education has had a status quo mindset, where what's worked in the past, what's rooted in tradition and legacy, continues into the future — even if it's not benefitting kids."

  • On the purpose of education: "The role of education is to help you figure out your talents. What are your strengths? What really motivates you? And then connect you with the experiences so that you can ultimately live the life you want to live."

  • On equity and access: "We limit our potential when we limit the people who have access to opportunities, to drive social change. A few thousand dollars to the right person can fuel innovation to a scale we never expected was imaginable."

  • On measuring success: "Success to us looks like an environment where innovators are accepted, where new approaches are welcomed, where there's a willingness to experiment and get better."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

VELA uses a two-step process that prioritizes community building:

Step 1: Join the VELA Founder Network (Required)

  • Membership is FREE and required before accessing funding opportunities
  • Complete an online application including single and multiple choice questions and written responses
  • Applications to join the network are reviewed on a rolling basis
  • Benefits include access to funding, peer networks, resources, events, and connections to thousands of education entrepreneurs nationwide
  • Apply through the VELA mobile app (available on Apple and Google Play) or at vela.org/founders

Step 2: Apply for Funding

  • Once accepted into the Founder Network, members gain exclusive access to apply for grants
  • Funding proposals from non-members are not accepted
  • Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year (no fixed deadlines)
  • The application process is designed to be straightforward with minimal bureaucracy

Important: VELA does not accept unsolicited funding proposals. You must first become a member of the Founder Network.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed, but VELA emphasizes "fast funding" and moving money quickly as part of their trust-based approach. Applications are processed on a rolling basis, meaning decisions are made continuously rather than at fixed intervals.

Reapplication Policy

VELA's tiered funding structure encourages continued engagement:

  • Microgrant recipients are eligible to apply for Next Step Grants ($25,000-$50,000)
  • Next Step Grant recipients may be eligible for Bridge Grants (up to $250,000)
  • This progression demonstrates VELA's commitment to supporting successful initiatives through multiple stages of growth

Specific policies on reapplication after rejection are not publicly disclosed.

Application Success Factors

VELA's trust-based philanthropic approach offers important insights for applicants:

What VELA Values

1. Trust in Entrepreneurs: VELA operates on the principle that "entrepreneurs and families know best how to support learners." Their application reflects this by valuing your expertise and local knowledge over extensive credentials or track records.

2. Operational Readiness: VELA does not fund planning—you must be operational now or in the immediate term. They want to support active programs serving real learners.

3. Small Learning Environments: Successful applications typically operate small learning environments or programs offering direct services uniquely tailored for unconventional schooling. VELA has funded programs serving as few as 28 learners and as many as thousands.

4. Diversity of Models: VELA intentionally funds a diverse set of entrepreneurs and models. They've supported everything from forest schools to tech-enabled microschool networks, from shopping mall homeschool centers to youth-led programming.

5. Community-Based Solutions: Programs should be rooted in community needs with founders who understand their local context. As Olson notes, VELA "trusts grantees to identify what their communities need and how they can best meet those needs."

6. Outside Traditional Systems: Your program must serve learners participating in "unconventional learning outside of traditional public, private, and charter schooling." This is a core eligibility requirement.

VELA's Unique Approach

Trust-Based Funding: VELA uses straightforward applications and reporting requirements that "value learning over compliance." They provide unrestricted funding and don't dictate solutions, instead trusting you to know how best to use resources.

Low Barriers to Entry: Starting with microgrants of $2,500 or $10,000 means even very small initiatives by parents, teachers, or community members can access support. VELA explicitly designed these to help "everyday entrepreneurs" get started quickly.

Relationship Building: By requiring Founder Network membership before funding applications, VELA prioritizes building a community of practice. Your involvement in the network, use of their resources, and connections with other founders strengthen your eventual funding application.

Recent Funding Examples

Understanding what VELA has recently funded provides insight into their priorities:

  • Organizations expanding access for underserved communities (Black Mothers Forum, Black Homeschoolers of Birmingham)
  • Replicable models with clear playbooks (Colossal Academy creating microschool blueprints)
  • Support infrastructure for the sector (Microschool Builders, 100 Roads)
  • Nature-based and alternative pedagogies (Barefoot University)
  • Parent-led initiatives (Mountaineer Homeschool Hub)
  • Tech-enabled solutions (Prenda)
  • Programs addressing equity (Canary Academy)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Join the Founder Network First: You cannot apply for funding without being a member. Join early to access resources, make connections, and understand VELA's community before submitting a funding request.

  2. Emphasize Your Operational Status: VELA doesn't fund planning. Show that you're already serving learners or will begin immediately. Share enrollment numbers, even if small.

  3. Demonstrate "Out-of-System" Nature: Clearly articulate how your program operates outside traditional public, private, and charter schools. If families you serve are also enrolled in traditional schools, explain how your program supplements (not replaces) their conventional education.

  4. Trust the Trust-Based Approach: Don't over-promise or exaggerate. VELA's model assumes you know your community's needs. Be honest about your capacity, challenges, and learning.

  5. Start Small, Think Progression: A $2,500 or $10,000 microgrant can lead to $25,000-$50,000 Next Step funding and eventually $250,000 Bridge Grants. View VELA as a long-term partner, not a one-time funder.

  6. Highlight Community Responsiveness: Show how your program responds to specific needs in your community and how families/learners have shaped your model.

  7. Apply on Rolling Basis: No need to wait for deadlines. When you're ready and operational, apply. VELA emphasizes moving money quickly.

  8. Align with VELA's Philosophy: Use language around "learner-centered," "personalized education," "innovative models," and "family choice." Reference VELA's tagline "Own Your Education™" and their belief that "education flourishes in freedom."

References

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