- Why does the
Nellie Mae Education Foundation make grants to organizations that focus on
education?
-
What are the
Foundation's program priorities?
-
What is
student-centered learning?
-
Why does the
Foundation focus on programs for middle school and high school learners?
-
Is the
Foundation making grants?
-
Which types of
organizations are eligible to apply for Foundation grants?
-
Is there a
geographic requirement for organizations that apply for grants?
-
What areas are not considered for funding by the Foundation?
-
What is the process the Foundation uses to determine funding
for organizations?
-
How do I contact the Nellie Mae Education Foundation?
1.
Why does the Nellie Mae Education Foundation make grants to organizations
that focus on education?
The Foundation makes strategic
grants in education to help prepare New England for an increasingly complex
global world. In order for our region and nation to prosper, all
students must be equipped to seize the opportunities of the new century.
The Foundation is committed to student-centered learning approaches to
accomplish these goals.
2. What are
the Foundation's program priorities?
The Foundation’s long-term
strategic focus will be to advance student-centered learning. We will provide
grants through our four strategic initiatives:
-
District Level Systems
Change, which includes the promotion and integration
of student-centered approaches, as well as policy and advocacy
work at the district level;
-
State Level Systems Change,
which focuses on promoting state and federal education policies
that support student-centered learning at scale;
-
Research and Development,
which not only informs our work, but also that of practitioners
in the fields of education and philanthropy;
-
Public Understanding,
which aims to increase both awareness of student-centered
learning experiences and the public will to implement them.
3. What is student-centered
learning?
Student-centered learning
creates a systemic framework that puts each learner’s needs first, and teaches
the skills and capacities necessary to succeed in an increasingly complex world.
This model, which is sometimes referred to as “personalized learning,” is based
on the science of cognitive development and a growing body of research about
what works in education.
Student-centered learning approaches recognize that a meaningful remodeling
effort must take place in order for this growing body of knowledge to take hold
in communities. This includes recognition and appreciation of the fact that
different students learn in different ways, often at different times and
different rates. Although the details vary, these approaches are frequently
characterized by:
- Innovative
uses of time
- Inclusion of
a wider variety of adults - to complement teachers - in all
aspects of learning
- Measurement
of skills and mastery of content using a combination of
demonstration and traditional testing
- Learning
takes place both in and out of the classroom
- A persistent
focus on the needs and interests of all learners
In this type of educational
experience, high-quality learning becomes the constant and where, when, and how
it happens - as well as who the adults are that facilitate it – become the
variables.
For more information, please visit the
About the Foundation page.
4. Why does the Foundation
focus on programs for middle school and high school learners?
In order to nurture a
prosperous, civically engaged society, we need more learners to be better
prepared with the skills and knowledge they’ll need for full participation in
postsecondary education, work, and life. The types of student-centered
approaches that we promote are aligned with, and developmentally appropriate
for, adolescents. By focusing on student-centered approaches at these levels, we
feel we can make the biggest impact on the future success of the greatest number
of learners.
5. Is the Foundation making
grants?
The Foundation will be
awarding grants. For more information, please visit our
Grant Guidelines page and sign up to be notified
when grants become available.
6. Which types of
organizations are eligible to apply for Foundation grants?
Pursuant to its Articles
of Organization, the Foundation's activities include both making grants to the
public charities it supports and providing services to those organizations. The
Foundation operates exclusively to promote the charitable and educational
purposes of non-profit educational organizations, including universities,
colleges, secondary schools, elementary schools, and other educational
organizations that are described in Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)
(3).
The Foundation does not support religious groups, private foundations, as
defined by IRC Section 509(a), or individuals.
The Foundation does not fund religious groups, private foundations, or
individuals.
7.
Is there a geographic requirement for organizations that apply for
grants?
Yes. The Foundation supports programs/organizations that serve students and
education systems across the six New England states – Maine, New Hampshire,
Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut - as well as research
pertaining to education issues in New England. Additionally, the Foundation
supports programs, organizations, research, and conferences – across New England
and beyond - in order to influence policy, and advance knowledge of public
opinion toward education.
8.
What areas are not considered for funding by the Foundation?
The Foundation does not fund
capital campaigns, endowments, scholarships or fellowships, debt reduction or
cash reserves, building construction or renovation, and certain indirect costs.
9.
What is the process the Foundation uses to determine funding for
organizations?
Funding determination may be
made in one of three ways:
- A specific
organization may be invited to apply for a grant within an
agreed upon timeframe and the proposal is reviewed in a
noncompetitive process.
- A limited number of
organizations may be invited to apply via a Request For
Proposals (RFP) before a set deadline. Proposals submitted would
then be reviewed in a competitive process. All or a selection of
the group would be funded.
- Funding guidelines
that outline the Foundation’s requirements, goals, and funding
strategy and an open RFP are distributed by the Foundation or by
an intermediary hired to manage a cluster of grants and to post
on appropriate websites. Organizations determine their potential
eligibility and whether they should submit a proposal before a
set deadline. Proposals submitted are reviewed in a competitive
process. All or a selection of the group are funded based on the
criteria outlined in the guidelines.
For more information on
funding opportunities, visit the Guidelines page.
10.
How do
I contact the Nellie Mae Education Foundation?
Toll-free telephone:
1-877-635-5436
Telephone: 781-348-4200
E-mail: info@nmefdn.org
Fax: 781-348-4299
Mailing address:
Nellie Mae Education Foundation,
1250 Hancock Street, Suite 205N,
Quincy,
MA
02169.
Click here for driving and public transportation directions to the Foundation
|
