CSGF benefits greatly from the involvement of leading philanthropists, banks and community development organizations who understand the direct impact the Charter School Growth Fund is having by helping high quality charter school operators build effective, self-sufficient enterprises in all regions of the country. These funders are seeking a highly leveraged return on their investment that can be quantified in terms of schools started, students served, achievement gains made, assured postsecondary options, and, in a limited number of circumstances, financial returns. They are united in their dedication to accomplishing CSGF's mission and vision. We are grateful for their support which enables us to expand access for underserved families to quality public education options.

The Walton Family Foundation, Inc. was established as the culmination of the philanthropic interests of the family of Sam M. and Helen R. Walton. The Foundation’s primary focus is to improve K-12 student achievement by empowering parents to choose from a variety of quality educational options. It supports efforts by school districts to improve the quality of traditional public schools, helps create high-quality public charter schools in targeted school districts, and supports publicly and privately financed scholarships for low-income children to attend private schools. The Foundation’s philanthropy extends further in enhancing the quality of life for residents of Northwest Arkansas and the Delta region of Arkansas and Mississippi and through supporting the restoration and conservation of marine and freshwater ecosystems.

The Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation was created in 1985 to preserve and extend the principles and philosophy by which Lynde and Harry Bradley lived. The Foundation is devoted to strengthening American democratic capitalism and the institutions, principles and values that sustain and nurture it. Its programs support limited, competent government; a dynamic marketplace for economic, intellectual, and cultural activity; and a vigorous defense at home and abroad of American ideas and institutions. In addition, recognizing that responsible self-government depends on enlightened citizens and informed public opinion, the Foundation supports scholarly studies and academic achievement. At present, the Foundation aims to encourage projects that focus on cultivating a renewed, healthier, and more vigorous sense of citizenship among the American people and among peoples of other nations, as well.

The Kern Family Foundation represents the philanthropic vision of Drs. Robert and Patricia Kern. The foundation was established in 1998 using proceeds generated by the sale of a division of Generac Power Systems, a company founded by the Kerns and one of the world’s largest independent manufacturers of complete engine-driven generator systems. The Kerns believe strongly that by investing in the future through values, education, and innovation, they can help preserve the tradition of private enterprise, which has enabled the American nation -- and in a larger sense, the entire Western world -- to flourish intellectually and economically. In keeping with the vision of its founders, Robert and Patricia Kern, the Kern Family Foundation promotes strong pastoral leadership, educational excellence and high quality, innovative engineering talent. The Foundation intentionally focuses on systemic change, rather than charities. It seeks to target funding toward broad impact, long-term programs.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is guided by the belief that every life has equal value. It works to reduce inequities and improve lives around the world. In developing countries, it focuses on improving health, reducing extreme poverty and increasing access to technology in public libraries. In the United States, the foundation seeks to ensure that all people – especially those with the fewest resources – have access to a great education and to technology in public libraries. Within education, the Foundation is focused on raising high school graduation rates. Based in Seattle, the foundation is guided under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.

The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of children living in urban poverty around the world. With offices in Austin, TX and New Delhi, India, the Dell family foundation funds programs that foster high-quality public education and childhood health, and improve the economic stability of families living in poverty. With an endowment of $1.3 billion, the foundation has committed almost $450 million to global children's issues and community initiatives to date.

The Don & Doris Fisher Foundation is a San Francisco-based philanthropy created by the founder of Gap, Inc. and his wife, Donald and Doris Fisher. The Foundation seeks to change public education, through large, strategic investments in a small number of initiatives focused on bolstering student academic achievement. The Foundation focuses its education giving on schools serving disadvantaged students and on efforts to promote high-quality charter schools.

The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation is a national venture philanthropy established by entrepreneur and philanthropist Eli Broad to advance entrepreneurship for the public good in education, science and the arts. The Broad Foundation's education work is focused on dramatically improving urban K-12 public education through better governance, management, labor relations and competition.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation has worked since 1948 to build better futures for disadvantaged children and their families in the United States. The primary mission of the Foundation is to foster public policies, human service reforms and community supports that more effectively meet the needs of today’s vulnerable children and families. In general, the grant making of the Foundation is limited to initiatives that have significant potential to demonstrate innovative policy, service delivery, and community supports for children and families.

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation was established in the mid-1960s by the late entrepreneur and philanthropist Ewing Marion Kauffman. The vision of the Foundation is to foster “a society of economically independent individuals who are engaged citizens, contributing to the improvement of their communities.” In service of this vision, the Foundation centers its grant making and operations on two areas: advancing entrepreneurship and improving the education of children and youth. The education work largely focuses on helping students become proficient in the fields of math and sciences and consider careers utilizing these critical skills. The Foundation also serves as a convener, bringing together local, regional, and national leaders to share innovative thinking and engage in dialog related to entrepreneurship and education.

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is dedicated to helping nonprofit, community-based organizations transform distressed neighborhoods into healthy and sustainable communities of choice and opportunity. By providing capital, technical expertise, training and information, LISC supports the development of local leadership and the creation of businesses, jobs and affordable housing, as well as commercial, industrial and community facilities. In 2003, LISC founded the Educational Facilities Financing Center ("EFFC") to intensify its national effort in education. With support from Prudential Financial, the U.S. Department of Education and the Walton Family Foundation, the EFFC pools low-interest loans and credit enhancements and leverages them for investment in the establishment or expansion of local facilities funds that finance multiple schools within a specific market or nonprofit charter networks (Local Funds).
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If you have an interest in speaking with us about the opportunity to leverage your philanthropic dollars alongside our other investors, please contact President and CEO Kevin Hall.