In the United States, philanthropy plays a large role in shaping education, with investments meant to impact and make a change for future generations.

The racial divide, when it comes to education opportunities for students in the United States, has existed historically, and is now more amplified as a result of COVID-19. A recent study by EdBuild suggests that about 20 percent of students are enrolled in districts that are both poor and nonwhite, and stats show that just 5 percent of students live in white districts that are equally financially challenged.

The racial and economic disparities in schools provide a crisis at hand for future generations who will bear the brunt of the inequities as adults, which is why it’s crucial now more than ever for philanthropists and investors to be part of the solution that could help remove those barriers and create more equitable school structures.

This begs the question: What are some of the major changes that have taken place over the past few years in education, and how can philanthropic organizations support schools and teacher leaders to build more equitable school systems across the U.S.?

There are several shifts and transformations that have developed over the past few decades, and funders and philanthropic organizations have contributed to shaping this transformation. One of the main shifts that education has seen is the digital transformation and the movement to a more digital education system.

This change has, of course, highlighted the digital divide amongst underserved communities. Philanthropy organizations, such as New Profit, work to ensure that underserved students, namely students of color, students from low-income households, students with disabilities and English language learners, are provided the same opportunities at success and excellence as everyone else.

Read the full article about shaping more equitable education by Rusul Alrubail at Worth.