The Nellie Mae Education Foundation is the largest philanthropy in New England that focuses exclusively on promoting access, quality, and effectiveness of education. In January 2008, the Foundation realigned its strategic priorities in order to focus on affecting the profound change and improvement necessary in education. As a result, it now provides grants and other support to education programs and intermediary organizations in the region to dramatically improve underserved students' academic achievement and to investigate and promote high quality, varied approaches for students to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary in the 21^st century.  The Foundation also funds research that examines critical education policy issues and public understanding about education in order to better inform efforts to improve education. Since it was established in 1998, the Foundation has distributed nearly $83 million in grants. Currently, it primarily provides funding through five strategic initiatives: Early Learning, Time for Learning, Pathways to Higher Learning, Adult Learning and Systems Building. 

 The Foundation also fosters strategic partnerships, nurtures a culture of continuous learning, takes necessary bold risks, and continues to enhance its evidence-based approach to funding.

Pursuant to its Articles of Organization, the Foundation operates exclusively for the benefit of, and to promote the charitable and educational purposes of, educational organizations, including universities, colleges, secondary schools, elementary schools, and other educational organizations that are described in IRC Section 501(c) (3) and that are not private foundations as described in IRC Section 509(a). The Foundation's activities include making grants to the public charities it supports and providing services to those organizations.