NewSchools Venture Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $32,051,500 (2023)
• Success Rate: ~5% (based on recent cycles)
• Decision Time: 3-5 months typically
• Grant Range: $150,000 - $250,000 (typically); up to $1,000,000+
• Geographic Focus: National (United States)
• Founded: 1998

Contact Details

Website: https://www.newschools.org
Application Portal: https://www.newschools.org/apply-for-funding/
Location: Oakland, California
EIN: 94-3281780

For specific programme questions, applicants can access support resources and a Funding Application Guide on their website.

Overview

NewSchools Venture Fund was founded in 1998 by entrepreneur Kim Smith and venture capitalists John Doerr and Brook Byers with a belief in entrepreneurship's power to drive educational change. Since its founding, the organisation has invested nearly $345 million in more than 1,000 educational organisations. NewSchools operates as a venture philanthropy, applying venture capital principles to education reform by seeking bold ideas that combine innovation with proven practices. In 2023, they awarded $32 million in grants to 156 ventures. The organisation has undergone strategic evolution, expanding from charter school funding to education technology, diverse leadership, and expanded definitions of student success. Under CEO Frances Messano, the first woman of colour to lead the organisation, NewSchools prioritises expanding access to who gets to be an education entrepreneur, with 76% of 2022 investments going to ventures led by people of colour.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Annual Funding Opportunity

• One-year unrestricted grants: $150,000 - $250,000
• Application method: Online application following eligibility form completion
• Funding cycles typically open in autumn with applications reviewed on a rolling basis
• Early submission typically receives expedited feedback

School-Specific Grants

• Design Grants: For schools opening two years in the future
• Planning Grants: $200,000 - $215,000 for schools opening the following year (14-month planning period)
• Launch Grants: Brief interest form for schools opening in the current year

Investment Areas

NewSchools focuses on four primary areas:

Innovative Schools
New innovative public schools (charter and district) that emphasise academic foundations and essential life skills within positive learning environments. Schools must plan to serve multiple K-12 grade levels at full enrolment.

Learning Solutions
K-8 literacy and maths programmes that personalise instruction and improve student learning outcomes.

Teaching Reimagined
Solutions that make teaching more sustainable and effective, including AI-leveraged approaches to reduce teacher workload and improve instructional quality.

Learning Differences
Programmes and initiatives serving students with learning disabilities, expanding access to quality education for this population.

Priority Areas

• Early-stage ventures demonstrating commitment to serving historically underserved students
• Diverse, mission-driven teams (strong preference for leaders of colour)
• Solutions grounded in evidence-based practices combined with innovation
• Ventures with realistic plans for long-term financial sustainability
• Initiatives that engage stakeholders—students, families, and educators—early in design
• Organisations aspiring to expand impact beyond a single location

What They Don't Fund

• Existing schools: No funding for turnarounds or restarts
• Pre-K only centres: Must serve multiple K-12 grade levels at full enrolment
• Private schools: Focus is exclusively on public education
• Schools launching beyond near-term timeframes: Typically focus on schools launching within 1-3 years
• Late-stage or established organisations without new innovative initiatives

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership

Frances Messano, Chief Executive Officer
As the first woman of colour to lead NewSchools, Messano articulates the central vision: "Every young person in the country deserves an excellent and equitable education." She emphasises "expanding access to who gets to be an education entrepreneur and whose ideas get listened to, whilst recruiting more philanthropies to join us." Messano spearheaded the Diverse Leaders strategy in 2015 and in 2022 raised and invested more than $45 million in 141 ventures, 76% led by people of colour. She describes the work as providing "dream capital to leaders of colour with new ideas for achieving educational equity."

Paula Sneed, Board President
President of the NewSchools Board of Directors

Board Member
Ime Archibong (additional board members listed on website)

Founders

• Kim Smith, Entrepreneur
• John Doerr, Venture Capitalist
• Brook Byers, Venture Capitalist

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

1. Complete Eligibility Form: First step to determine alignment with NewSchools strategy
2. Review Application Guide: Preview questions and prepare materials
3. Submit Full Application: Online portal when funding cycle is open
4. Early Submission Advantage: Applications submitted early in the cycle typically receive updates more quickly

Applications require high levels of detail including:

• Organisation background and track record
• Proposed programme design and expected outcomes
• Key personnel and team composition
• Demographic data demonstrating commitment to equity
• Evaluation measures and success metrics
• Long-term sustainability plan
• Detailed budget narrative
• References

School applicants complete different application types based on launch timeline (design grants, planning grants, or launch grants).

Decision Timeline

Typical timeline from submission to decision: 3-5 months

NewSchools typically follows this pattern:

• Early submission date for expedited feedback
• All applicants receive status update approximately 2-3 months after deadline
• Final funding decisions announced approximately 5 months after deadline
• Funding disbursed in summer

Success Rates

NewSchools is highly competitive. Based on recent cycles, the organisation typically selects approximately 5% of applicants, with over 1,600 applicants competing for 80+ awards. In 2023, the organisation made 156 awards totalling $32,051,500.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Applicants should contact NewSchools directly for guidance on reapplying in future funding cycles.

Application Success Factors

What NewSchools Prioritises

Bold Ideas Grounded in Evidence
NewSchools seeks ventures that "combine new approaches with proven practices to improve student learning and advance equitable outcomes." They value innovation that builds on what works rather than unproven experimentation.

Stakeholder Engagement
The organisation expects "innovators to engage their stakeholders—students, families, and educators—early and often to inform solution design and implementation." This helps innovators design better solutions and build necessary relationships for growth.

Diverse Leadership
Strong preference for diverse teams, particularly leaders of colour. In 2022, 76% of investments went to ventures led by people of colour, reflecting NewSchools' commitment to expanding who gets to be an education entrepreneur.

Six Investment Criteria for Innovative Schools:

1. Passionate, capable, and diverse teams
2. Engage the communities they aim to serve
3. Reimagine the student experience
4. Demonstrate commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
5. Plan appropriately and execute effectively
6. Aspire to expand impact beyond a single school

Financial Sustainability
NewSchools looks for "organisations with long-term plans for achieving financial sustainability through a mix of revenue sources, such as philanthropy, earned revenue, and government grants." They invest in ventures planning for long-term viability.

Scalability
The organisation "aims to have a catalytic impact nationally," investing in ventures that "seek to expand their impact significantly over time by growing their organisations, codifying and sharing best practices, or influencing the work of others."

Beyond Funding: Support Provided

Selected ventures receive:

• One-on-one coaching from NewSchools staff
• Access to national experts in education innovation
• Participation in Communities of Practice with peer organisations
• Resources in school/programme design, inclusive design, fundraising, financial sustainability, and operations

Time Commitment Requirements

• New organisations: Full-time commitment to the venture within three months of receiving grant
• Initiatives within existing organisations: Leader must dedicate at least 50% of time to the work

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Submit early: Early applications typically receive expedited feedback
• Demonstrate diversity and equity: 76% of recent investments went to ventures led by people of colour; show diverse leadership and commitment to serving underserved students
• Engage stakeholders early: Show evidence of community engagement with students, families, and educators in your design process
• Articulate clear sustainability plan: NewSchools expects realistic long-term financial sustainability through mixed revenue (philanthropy, earned revenue, government funding)
• Align precisely with investment areas: Clearly demonstrate fit within Innovative Schools, Learning Solutions, Teaching Reimagined, or Learning Differences
• Show scalability: Articulate how your venture will expand impact beyond a single location through growth, best practice sharing, or influencing others
• Be specific and detailed: Applications require comprehensive detail on outcomes, evaluation measures, budget narratives, and team qualifications
• Prepare for competition: With ~5% success rate from large applicant pools, applications must be exceptional and precisely aligned with NewSchools' priorities

References

• NewSchools Venture Fund Official Website. "Apply for Funding." https://www.newschools.org/apply-for-funding/ (Accessed December 2025)
• NewSchools Venture Fund. "About NewSchools Venture Fund." https://www.newschools.org/our-story/ (Accessed December 2025)
• Inside Philanthropy. "NewSchools Venture Fund." https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-n/newschools-venture-fund (Accessed December 2025)
• NewSchools Venture Fund. "Supports & Resources." https://www.newschools.org/apply-for-funding/supports-resources/ (Accessed December 2025)
• Instrumentl. "NewSchools Venture Fund | Oakland, CA | 990 Report." https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/new-schools-fund (Accessed December 2025)
• NewSchools Venture Fund. "Our Team." https://www.newschools.org/about-us/our-team/ (Accessed December 2025)
• NewSchools Venture Fund. "NewSchools Venture Fund Welcomes New Chief Executive Officer." https://www.newschools.org/blog/newschools-venture-fund-welcomes-new-chief-executive-officer/ (Accessed December 2025)
• Charity Navigator. "Rating for New Schools Fund." https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/943281780 (Accessed December 2025)
• GuideStar. "New Schools Fund Profile." https://www.guidestar.org/profile/94-3281780 (Accessed December 2025)
• Crunchbase. "List of top NewSchools Venture Fund Portfolio Companies." https://www.crunchbase.com/hub/newschools-venture-fund-portfolio-companies (Accessed December 2025)