Education

Acumen is a venture philanthropy organization that invests in visionary entrepreneurs building transformational companies from seed to scale. They focus on funding bold entrepreneurs who are creating inclusive solutions across sectors like sustainable agriculture, quality education, renewable energy, healthy communities, dignified jobs, and gender equality. Their mission is to break the cycle of poverty through patient capital investments in high-innovation, high-impact enterprises. They operate by deploying philanthropic capital to shape markets and support entrepreneurs who are addressing the world's toughest poverty-related challenges, investing where traditional funders won't. Acumen Ventures has established itself as a significant force in the impact investing ecosystem since 2001, with an A to Z directory of portfolio companies spanning over two decades. They matter because they've reinvented the rules of return, prioritizing impact alongside financial sustainability and helping to demonstrate that venture philanthropy can drive meaningful systemic change in underserved communities globally.

Ashoka is one of the world’s leading organizations supporting social entrepreneurs. Founded in 1980, Ashoka pioneered the concept of social entrepreneurship and has built a global network of changemakers working to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Through its flagship Ashoka Fellows program, the organization identifies and supports high-impact entrepreneurs with funding, mentorship, and a powerful global network. Ashoka’s broader mission is to create a world where everyone is a changemaker, embedding social innovation across education, business, and civil society.

The Atlassian Foundation brings together funding, people, and products from Atlassian to unleash the potential of social impact teams, with a particular focus on organizations changing lives through education. They contribute 1% of Atlassian's equity, profit, tools, and employee time to support nonprofits and social enterprises, offering 50-100% discounts on Atlassian apps and free support to qualifying organizations. Their mission is to unleash the potential of social impact teams, especially those focused on educational transformation, by taking a partner-centric approach that combines resources to drive impact. The Foundation operates on principles of building long-term partnerships, planning for scale, making fewer but bolder moves, and openly sharing their learnings with the broader impact community. The Foundation has made significant impact in the nonprofit ecosystem, having donated over $85 million and empowered more than 12,500 nonprofits worldwide with free or discounted tools. They co-founded the Pledge 1% movement, which encourages other businesses to commit resources to social good, amplifying their influence beyond their direct contributions and helping to establish a new approach to corporate philanthropy.

Backstage Capital is a venture capital firm that invests exclusively in startup founders who identify as women, people of color, and/or LGBTQ. The firm addresses the stark reality that less than 10% of all venture capital deals go to these underrepresented groups, viewing this disparity as a significant investment opportunity rather than a pipeline problem. The organization operates through direct investments and has expanded to include the Backstage Accelerator program, which provides $100,000 in capital for 5% equity along with a three-month program featuring mentorship, community building, and co-working space. Their mission centers on the belief that underrepresented founders are underestimated and have the greatest potential for unlocking innovation and creating valuable businesses. Backstage Capital has made a measurable impact in the venture ecosystem by democratizing access to capital for historically excluded founders. Led by Managing Partner Arlan Hamilton, who personally identifies as a woman, person of color, and LGBTQ, the firm has created pathways for diverse entrepreneurs while building a global community of local accelerator programs. Their work challenges traditional venture capital practices and demonstrates that diversity drives stronger business outcomes and more innovative ideas.

The Barr Foundation is a Boston-based philanthropic organization focused on advancing climate solutions, arts and creativity, and educational opportunity. Founded by Amos Hostetter Jr. and Barbara Hostetter, the foundation supports nonprofits and initiatives that drive systemic change and strengthen communities, particularly in the Boston region. Through long-term partnerships and flexible funding, Barr Foundation backs organizations working on climate resilience, clean energy transition, public education, and cultural vibrancy. Its approach emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and scaling solutions that can deliver lasting impact.

Better Society Capital is the UK’s leading social impact investor, focused on growing the flow of capital into solutions that address social challenges and inequalities. Established in 2012, the organization acts as a market builder, connecting investors, government, and social enterprises to scale impact investing across the UK. Rather than only deploying capital, Better Society Capital plays a catalytic role in developing the broader ecosystem, helping expand the UK impact investment market to over £11 billion while committing more than £1 billion directly into funds and enterprises.

Bloomberg Philanthropies is the philanthropic organization of Michael Bloomberg, focused on improving lives at scale across the globe. The foundation works across more than 150 countries, supporting initiatives in public health, climate, education, government innovation, and the arts. Its approach combines data-driven decision-making with deep partnerships across governments, nonprofits, and institutions. Bloomberg Philanthropies is known for backing large-scale, measurable programs that aim to deliver systemic change and improve outcomes for millions of people worldwide.

The Deloitte Foundation is a US education nonprofit that has been preparing the next generation for the future of work since 1928. As the philanthropic arm of Deloitte, the foundation focuses on educational initiatives and workforce development programs. The foundation leverages Deloitte's extensive expertise across various industries and services to support educational outcomes and help prepare students and professionals for evolving workplace demands.

EY Foundation is a charitable organization that focuses on supporting young people through various programs and initiatives. The foundation works collaboratively with employer partners, schools and colleges, volunteers, alumni, and fundraising champions to deliver its mission. Young people are positioned at the heart of all their work, indicating a youth-centered approach to their charitable activities. The organization appears to have a structured approach with dedicated programs, policy and research initiatives, and strong governance through their board and patrons.

gBETA Social Impact is a free, seven-week accelerator program that works specifically with startups and emerging nonprofits committed to making positive community and global impact. The program focuses on supporting companies building products or services that address equity in education and criminal justice reform. gBETA Social Impact operates as a comprehensive accelerator offering mentorship, office hours, sponsor connections, and learning opportunities culminating in a pitch night. As a free program, it removes financial barriers for social impact entrepreneurs and provides structured support through a seven-week intensive format that includes access to mentors, educational sessions, and networking opportunities. The program serves as an important gateway for social impact startups in underserved sectors like education equity and criminal justice reform. By offering free access to accelerator resources typically available only to traditional startups, gBETA Social Impact fills a critical gap in the ecosystem for mission-driven entrepreneurs. The program is sponsored by multiple organizations and operates as part of the gener8tor network, providing credibility and resources to emerging social ventures.

The Global Good Fund is a nonprofit social enterprise that identifies high-potential social impact leaders and accelerates their success through executive mentorship, professional leadership coaching, and capital. They focus on entrepreneurs tackling five key social issues: economic mobility, education, environment, financial inclusion, and health. Built by social entrepreneurs for social entrepreneurs, the organization operates through multiple channels including nonprofit programs, consulting services, and an impact fund, with proceeds from their consultancy and fund donated back to support more programs. Their proprietary development methods are designed to grow leaders who can achieve greater social impact. The Global Good Fund serves as a social impact accelerator that believes growing leaders is the most effective strategy for solving complex social problems and achieving global good. Their impact ecosystem creates a sustainable model where successful entrepreneurs can pay it forward, creating a ripple effect of sustainable community impact across their global network of change-makers.

Google.org is Google's philanthropic arm that connects nonprofits to funding and additional resources to aid underserved communities worldwide. The organization focuses on three key areas: Knowledge, Skills & Learning, Scientific Progress, and Stronger Communities, leveraging Google's innovation and technology to promote progress and expand opportunity for everyone. The organization operates by providing funding, programs, and technical expertise to accelerate the missions of organizations around the globe. Google.org brings the best of Google's resources, research, and innovation to support initiatives that unlock AI's full potential to advance society and improve lives. Their approach combines direct funding with Google's technological capabilities and expertise. Google.org plays a significant role in the philanthropic ecosystem by bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and social impact. The organization matters because it represents one of the world's largest tech companies dedicating substantial resources to address society's biggest challenges, from reducing traffic congestion and tracking wildfires to expanding cybersecurity opportunities and supporting veterans' mental health.

GreenLight Fund is a national nonprofit network that matches local communities' unmet needs with evidence-based social innovations. They actively engage with local communities to identify gaps not being addressed and invite best-in-class nonprofits uniquely suited to tackle these challenges. Their mission centers on investing in community-driven change by partnering with local communities to tackle barriers that prevent individuals and families from achieving inclusive prosperity. They operate through a network of sites across multiple cities, working directly with communities to understand their specific needs before bringing in proven solutions. As a national network spanning over a decade of operations, GreenLight Fund has established itself as a significant player in the social innovation ecosystem. Their approach of centering racial equity and focusing on inclusive prosperity positions them as an important bridge between evidence-based interventions and community-identified needs, helping to scale effective solutions across diverse urban markets.

Hopelab is a researcher, investor, and convener that focuses on equity-centered solutions for the mental health and well-being of Black, Brown, and Queer young people. They operate through multiple modalities including research, investment in innovators, and funding youth-centered solutions to advance mental health outcomes for underserved communities. Their mission is to advance the mental health and well-being of young people through uncovering knowledge and evidence, investing in innovators, and funding youth-centered solutions. Hopelab operates as an intergenerational collaborator, believing that equitable outcomes require partnership and shifting power dynamics to center young people's perspectives and lived expertise. Hopelab serves as a critical player in the mental health ecosystem by centering equity in all facets of their work and recognizing that systems of oppression like racism, homophobia, transphobia, and wealth inequities are interconnected. They amplify young leaders' voices and create opportunities to challenge existing narratives, spark dialogue, and inspire collective growth, making them essential advocates for dismantling barriers that prevent young people from living joyful and purposeful lives.

Impact Engine is a venture capital and private equity firm that invests in companies driving positive impact across three core areas: economic empowerment, education, environmental sustainability, and health. As a registered investment advisor, they build and manage diversified portfolios that seek to optimize both financial and social returns through their dual approach of fund investments and direct co-investments. Their mission centers on bringing more capital to markets where financial returns drive positive social and environmental impacts. They operate through multiple strategies including private equity fund investments balanced across growth equity and buyout stages, co-investments in select portfolio companies, and bespoke partnership vehicles tailored to meet specific investor objectives in collaboration with partners like Bernstein Private Wealth Management. Impact Engine has established itself as a recognized leader in the impact investing ecosystem, earning recognition as a Top Impact Company 2025 and inclusion in the ImpactAssets 50 as an Emeritus Impact Manager. Their portfolio companies have demonstrated significant real-world impact, with measurable outcomes like preventing millions of pounds of food waste, improving patient quality of life, and saving millions for student loan borrowers, positioning them as a meaningful force in scaling impact-driven businesses.

Masawa Fund is a European venture capital fund that invests in seed-stage startups focused on mental health and wellness solutions. They target companies working on mental illness cures, mental wellness improvement, and addressing social determinants of mental health including sleep, nutrition, and loneliness. The fund operates in a $400 billion market, recognizing that 1 in 5 people will develop a mental health condition and that mental ill-health costs the EU €630 billion annually. Masawa operates through their "Nurture Capital" approach, which puts humans at the center of their investment strategy and focuses on organizational health and founder wellbeing to minimize risk. Their mission is to advance human flourishing by weaving people, purpose, and prosperity together, creating a compassionate world where people can thrive and reach their potential. The fund was sparked by their founder's personal experience with mental illness and their vision of making wellness accessible to all. Masawa matters in the ecosystem because they are addressing a critical gap where 65% of startups fail from people problems, and founders face 2-3 times higher rates of depression and substance abuse than the general population. They are working to humanize finance and evolve venture capital by supporting purpose-driven founders who are solving real human needs. Their approach recognizes that inner transformation enables outer change, positioning mental health as a catalyst for broader social and environmental solutions.

MIT Solve is an initiative of MIT that provides social impact and entrepreneurship services, connecting startups with funding and resources to address global challenges. The organization launches open calls for exceptional and diverse solutions to pressing global problems from innovators anywhere in the world, focusing on areas including climate, economic prosperity, health, learning, indigenous communities, youth innovation, and innovative financing. MIT Solve operates on the belief that building a better future requires new voices and ideas from diverse sources. They run challenges to identify groundbreaking solutions, then provide selected innovators with the backing of MIT and their community of supporters to scale their impact and drive lasting change. The organization has established itself as a platform that bridges the gap between innovative solutions and the resources needed to implement them at scale. Over its ten-year history, MIT Solve has become a significant force in the global innovation ecosystem, having run over 100 challenges and received more than 26,800 applications from 185 countries. Their community of innovators and solutions have reached over 370 million lives worldwide, demonstrating tangible impact from refugee education in Lebanon to agricultural improvements in Ethiopia. The organization has mobilized over $80 million and forged over 1,000 partnerships, establishing itself as a crucial connector between social entrepreneurs and the resources they need to create meaningful change.

New Age Capital is a thesis-driven seed stage venture capital firm that invests in tech and tech-enabled startups founded and led by Black and Latino entrepreneurs. They focus on companies at the seed stage with products in market, early customer traction, and some revenue, leading seed rounds up to $3M with an emphasis on capital efficiency. The firm operates with a mission to address the historical underrepresentation in venture capital funding by supporting underinvested, bootstrapped founders from their communities. They are industry agnostic and seek the best software or technology-enabled solutions across various markets, though they exclude fashion/fashion tech, media, crypto/web3, and medical device companies from their investment scope. New Age Capital plays a crucial role in the venture ecosystem by filling gaps in funding for Black and Latino entrepreneurs who have historically struggled to access capital. Founded by Ivan Alo and LaDante McMillon after their own experiences building a fintech company and witnessing peers struggle to raise money, they represent a response to the lack of diversity in traditional VC firms and work to ensure that entire demographics of innovators are no longer ignored in the startup funding landscape.

The PwC Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity driven by the people and values of PwC, striving to build resilient, equitable, and enduring communities. The foundation focuses on unlocking potential and accelerating paths to opportunity through strategic investments and collaborations. Since 2001, the foundation has distributed significant funding across three core focus areas: supporting PwC people ($10 million), education initiatives ($220 million), and humanitarian efforts ($50 million). The foundation invests in innovative work and collaborates with transformative organizations to create more inclusive pathways to education and career opportunities, while also advancing preparedness and recovery capabilities to strengthen communities facing humanitarian crises.

Reach Capital is a leading early-stage venture capital firm that has been backing visionary founders since 2015 across learning, health, and work sectors. The firm invests in entrepreneurs building technologies that expand access to opportunity and care, with a belief that when people can grow their skills, nurture relationships, maintain health, and find meaning in work, communities thrive. Reach Capital brings a distinctly 'liberal arts' approach to supporting founders, with team members having diverse backgrounds as former founders, operators, educators, designers, and writers. Impact is at the heart of their work, measuring success across three dimensions: access, scale, and quality to ensure solutions reduce barriers and deliver meaningful outcomes.

REDF invests in businesses that reveal and reinforce the talent of people breaking through barriers to employment. They focus specifically on employment social enterprises - businesses that create jobs and opportunities for individuals who face significant challenges in accessing traditional employment pathways. The organization operates through a comprehensive approach that combines capital, capacity building, and community support to help their portfolio enterprises grow further and faster. Their mission centers on building a thriving and inclusive society where all people have the jobs and support they need to realize their full potential, guided by the vision of creating an economy that works for everyone. REDF plays a critical role in the social enterprise ecosystem by not only providing direct investment and support to employment-focused businesses, but also by evaluating what works and sharing their learnings to drive broader policy and systems change. Their multi-faceted approach spans from early-stage accelerator programs to growth-stage investments and advocacy partnerships with government entities, positioning them as both an investor and a thought leader in advancing employment opportunities for underserved populations.

Save the Children Global Ventures is part of Save the Children, a leading humanitarian organization that has been protecting children worldwide for over 100 years. Founded in 1919 by Eglantyne Jebb to address children's suffering after World War I, the organization now operates in the United States and around the world to give children a healthy start in life, opportunities to learn, and protection from harm. Save the Children has transformed the lives of over 1 billion children globally through their comprehensive approach to child welfare. The organization is guided by five core values: Accountability, Integrity, Ambition, Collaboration, and Creativity. These values drive their mission to inspire breakthroughs in how the world treats children and achieve immediate and lasting impact in their lives. Save the Children responds to crises by being among the first to arrive and last to leave, providing critical support including treating malnutrition, delivering lifesaving aid in emergencies, and keeping children safe while learning.

The Skoll Foundation catalyzes transformational social change by investing in, connecting, and championing social entrepreneurs and other social innovators who together advance bold and equitable solutions to the world's most pressing problems. They focus on supporting social entrepreneurs who offer compelling visions, creative solutions, and proven approaches to addressing global challenges. Created in 1999 by Jeff Skoll, the Foundation operates with a clear mission to build a sustainable world of peace and prosperity for all. Their approach centers on three core activities: investing in social entrepreneurs and innovators, connecting their community to drive transformational change, and championing those who advance bold and equitable solutions. The Skoll Foundation plays a significant role in the social innovation ecosystem by hosting the annual Skoll World Forum and maintaining a community of social entrepreneurs working on large-scale change. They have established themselves as a leading voice in supporting social enterprises that aim to achieve impact at scale, even during times of crisis and mass disruption.

Society for Science is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting science through comprehensive education programs, prestigious science competitions, and publications including Science News magazine and Science News Explores. The organization operates world-class science research competitions for students, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, and the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, which nurture and celebrate young innovators tackling the world's most challenging problems. Their mission centers on expanding scientific literacy, effective STEM education, and scientific research through informing, educating, and inspiring communities. The organization operates as a membership-based nonprofit focused on promoting understanding and appreciation of science and its vital role in human advancement. They provide various programs including STEM outreach, teacher conferences, research grants, and educational resources to support scientific learning at multiple levels. Society for Science has been a champion for science education and research for more than 100 years, creating significant impact in the scientific ecosystem by identifying and supporting future scientific leaders. Their competitions and programs create lifelong connections that empower the next generation of scientists and researchers. The organization's sustained commitment to scientific advancement has helped shape the careers of countless young scientists who go on to make breakthrough discoveries and innovations.

SustainVC is an impact-focused venture capital firm that backs innovative entrepreneurs working toward a sustainable, more equitable, and healthier world. The firm focuses on two primary impact areas: Climate & Sustainability, and Access & Opportunity, targeting companies that can deliver both positive impact and positive returns. Their mission centers on supporting entrepreneurs who share their vision of creating systemic change through market-driven solutions. SustainVC operates with the philosophy that profitable investments and meaningful impact can go hand in hand, seeking to accelerate positive change through strategic capital deployment. The firm plays an important role in the impact investing ecosystem by bridging the gap between traditional venture capital and social impact. With offices in Boston, Durham, and Philadelphia, SustainVC positions itself as a key player in supporting the growth of companies that can address critical societal and environmental challenges while generating strong financial returns.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF) is devoted to developing a brighter future for millions of children and young people at risk of poor educational, economic, social and health outcomes. The foundation works to strengthen families, build stronger communities and create opportunities for vulnerable youth across America. The foundation serves kids and families by advancing research, empowering communities and influencing decision makers to invest in evidence-based solutions. Through comprehensive strategies spanning child welfare, juvenile justice, economic opportunity, and community change, AECF addresses systemic challenges facing at-risk children and youth while promoting racial equity and inclusion in all their work.

The Rise Fund is TPG's pioneering institutional-scale impact investing platform, launched in 2016 as one of the world's largest impact investment platforms. With $32 billion in assets under management and over $14 billion invested across 100+ companies, The Rise Fund addresses global societal challenges while delivering strong financial returns through non-concessionary investments. The fund operates with a team of 80+ dedicated investment professionals across 10 countries, averaging 12 years of investing experience. Their approach focuses on partnering with mission-driven entrepreneurs in growth-stage, high-potential companies across education, financial inclusion, healthcare, climate, and impact technology sectors, supported by rigorous impact assessment capabilities and a global network of advisors.

Twilio.org is the social impact arm of Twilio, the leading digital communications platform, dedicated to empowering organizations that are doing good. The organization focuses on increasing nonprofits' capacity to serve their communities by providing access to digital technology, financial resources, and a dedicated support team. Through initiatives like the Impact Access Program and Impact Fund, Twilio.org helps social impact organizations scale responsibly with discounts, credits, and funding for digital transformation projects. The organization offers comprehensive support including solution paths for digital engagement projects, educational resources, and partnerships with qualified implementers to help nonprofits leverage Twilio's communication tools effectively.

Unreasonable Group is a Colorado-based international company that partners with growth-stage entrepreneurs solving pressing global challenges through capital, community, and storytelling. They operate a Fellowship program that handpicks and privately invites the world's most compelling solutions, focusing on five key verticals: Energy & Environment, Food & Water, Health, and other sectors aimed at transitioning into a more resilient and regenerative economy. Their mission centers on creating trusted partnerships and moving capital to ensure a better future, believing in the power of business and finance to drive lasting, scalable change. They build trust across growth-stage entrepreneurs, institutions, and investors by channeling exclusive deal-flow to investors and partnering with institutions to discover profit in solving global problems. Unreasonable Group has established itself as a significant force in the impact ecosystem, striving to become the world's most trusted community in service of a more connected and regenerative economy. Their approach of focusing on scaling what works has created a substantial network that operates across multiple countries and industries, demonstrating that reasonable ideas seldom change anything while unreasonable ones drive progress.

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) is a mission-driven foundation that supports children, families and communities to strengthen and create conditions that propel vulnerable children to achieve success. Founded by W.K. Kellogg in 1931 with earnings from his cereal company, the foundation envisions a nation where all children have an equitable and promising future and where all children thrive. WKKF operates through multiple investment approaches including traditional grants, mission-driven investments, and private equity funds. Their comprehensive approach focuses on ensuring children have access to healthy food, good health, early care and education, and families with good jobs and career prospects. The foundation works both nationally and internationally, partnering to share information and resources to help communities create lasting change.