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March 11, 2025 By RESCHOOL

How Philanthropy Can Pave the Way for Equitable Education

Philanthropy has always been a powerful force for social change, and in education, its potential to drive equity has never been more critical. By investing in direct-to-family funding programs, philanthropists can provide the resources and flexibility families need while laying the groundwork for large-scale public policy adoption. But how exactly does philanthropy pave the way for equitable education? Let’s explore.

Philanthropy as a Proof-of-Concept Driver

Many of today’s most successful education funding programs began as small-scale pilots supported by philanthropic investments. For example:

  • My Spark Denver was created after seeing evidence of the impact of RESCHOOL’s philanthropically funded learning dollars funds that have invested over $1 million in direct cash programs to expand access to out-of-school learning for Colorado youth. The $5 million My Spark fund was created via a cross-sector partnership with $1.5 million in private funding from Gary Community Ventures and a $3.5 million investment from the City of Denver, which enabled the program to serve 4,000 middle-school-age students with $1,000 microgrants per student. 
  • The Virginia Learning Acceleration Grant (VLAG) program received federal ESSER funding but relied on private philanthropy, including $230,000 for family navigation support, to ensure that 12,500 families could access and utilize the funds​​.

These initiatives demonstrate how philanthropy bridges critical gaps, validates innovative models, and inspires public sector investment to scale impactful solutions.

Case Studies of Impact

Philanthropy-backed programs like those led by RESCHOOL and Outschool.org have not only transformed individual lives but also reshaped how policymakers think about education funding. By showing what’s possible, these programs have inspired systemic change and public adoption.

How Philanthropists Can Get Involved

  • Invest Early: Support pilot programs to test innovative funding models and gather valuable data.
  • Advocate for Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage collaboration between philanthropy, government, employers, and community organizations.
  • Focus on Equity: Prioritize programs that remove systemic barriers and target families furthest from opportunity by centering their needs into how they design and implement the programs.

Philanthropy has the power to drive transformative change in education. By working together, we can create scalable solutions that empower families and reshape the future of education. Download the philanthropy briefs today to learn more.

March 4, 2025 By RESCHOOL

Lessons from Closing the Enrichment Gap

Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, but for many, a zip code determines their access to vital enrichment opportunities that foster growth and success. The enrichment gap—the disparity in out-of-school learning opportunities between wealthy and low-income families—has long been a barrier to educational equity. Addressing this gap isn’t just a matter of access; it’s a matter of equity, social mobility, and long-term success.

What Is the Enrichment Gap?

The enrichment gap refers to the disparity in access to out-of-school learning opportunities, with low-income children accumulating 6,000 fewer hours of enrichment by 6th grade than their wealthier peers​. This includes everything from tutoring and extracurricular activities to field trips and summer camps—critical experiences that spark curiosity, build confidence, and improve academic outcomes.

Real-Life Examples of Impact

Microgrant programs are proving that closing the enrichment gap is possible:

  • My Spark Denver granted $1,000 in prepaid debit cards to 4,000 middle school students, focusing on students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. This program supported enrichment programs like after-school activities and summer camps​​.
  • RESCHOOL’s Learning Dollars Fund emphasized co-design with families, providing flexible funds that covered costs for local and personalized learning activities​​.
  • Outschool.org’s Virginia Learning Acceleration Grant helped 12,500 families access tutoring, special education, and enrichment programs, funding over 300,000 hours of learning​​.

These programs not only enrich the lives of individual children but also strengthen communities by supporting local vendors and organizations. By bridging gaps in access and opportunity, these programs create lasting benefits for both families and the communities they live in.

The Importance of Co-Design and Flexibility

What makes these programs successful? Co-designing policies and programs with families ensures that their needs and preferences are at the center. Flexibility in how funds are distributed—such as through preloaded debit cards —removes barriers and ensures funds are used effectively.


The lessons from these programs are clear: closing the enrichment gap requires equity-driven, family-centered solutions. Download our new policy briefs to learn more.

February 25, 2025 By RESCHOOL

Why Direct-to-Family Funding Is the Future of Education

For decades, education funding has largely been channeled through institutions, leaving families with little say in how resources are allocated to meet their children’s needs. Direct-to-family funding challenges the status quo by empowering families to make critical decisions about their children’s education. Programs like microgrants and Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) are demonstrating that when families are trusted and empowered, the results can be transformative—not just for individual children, but for entire communities.

The Benefits of Direct-to-Family Funding

Direct-to-family funding offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing families to make choices that align with their children’s unique needs and interests. Whether it’s tutoring, enrichment activities, or specialized educational resources, these programs address gaps that traditional funding often overlooks.

Research shows that programs like these can close the “enrichment gap,” which disproportionately impacts low-income families, limiting their children’s access to learning opportunities outside of the classroom.

When not designed with equity at the center, these programs can unintentionally deepen existing disparities, benefiting those with more resources while leaving behind families facing greater barriers to access.

Success Stories from RESCHOOL and Outschool.org

Programs across the U.S. are proving that giving families control over resources yields incredible results, especially in underserved communities. Both RESCHOOL and Outschool.org have piloted innovative microgrant programs with remarkable results:

  • RESCHOOL’s Learning Dollars Fund has invested over $1 million in Colorado communities to expand learning opportunities and to support families in accessing enrichment activities like camps, sports, and tutoring, with $500-1,000 microgrants distributed through flexible payment methods such as debit cards, bank transfers, or PayPal​​.
  • Outschool.org supported over 12,500 families in Virginia with the Learning Acceleration Grant program, resulting in over 300,000 hours of tutoring and educational therapy. This initiative addressed core academic needs like special education services​.

These stories prove that empowering families isn’t just an innovative idea—it’s a solution that works.

Opportunities and Risks

Direct-to-family funding has the potential to increase educational access, flexibility, and equity—allowing families to choose the best opportunities for their children’s learning. When designed effectively, these programs can break down financial barriers and help students engage in tutoring, enrichment activities, and specialized support tailored to their needs.

However, if not implemented with equity in mind, these programs can unintentionally reinforce existing disparities. Families with more time, resources, and digital access may be better positioned to navigate funding applications and make informed choices, leaving behind those facing systemic barriers like limited English proficiency or digital literacy. Ensuring streamlined access, family support, and clear guidance is critical to maximizing the benefits of direct-to-family funding while mitigating risks.

The Role of Philanthropy

Philanthropy has been instrumental in seeding and scaling these models. Early investments have provided proof of concept, inspiring policymakers to adopt publicly funded initiatives. Programs like Denver’s My Spark were inspired by RESCHOOL’s small-scale Learning Dollar pilots funded by private donors that served as proof of concept, eventually scaling to a citywide initiative.

The Role of System Leaders

For direct-to-family funding to be effective, system leaders must ensure equitable access, streamlined distribution, and strong family support. Removing barriers, simplifying processes, and providing clear guidance help ensure funds reach those who need them most, making these programs truly impactful and scalable.
Direct-to-family funding is more than a trend—it’s the future of education. Your support can help expand these programs and empower more families. Download our new policy briefs to learn how you can make an impact.