Giving Compass' Take:

• Christina A. Samuels unpacks trends revealed in a recent survey about the funding strategies education donors are prioritizing. 

• Are these shifts positive changes? What gaps remain in education funding? 

• Learn about donors reforming schools in the U.S.

Education philanthropy groups may be moving away from big new investments in areas with a K-12 academic focus—teacher preparation, turnaround of low-performing schools, new school models, and the like—in favor of “whole learner” investments, according to a new survey of education funders.

That means more attention and money could be spent on supporting social and emotional learning, families and community engagement, and wraparound services, according to “Trends in Education Philanthropy: Benchmarking 2018-2019,” written by Grantmakers for Education.

Grantmakers is the nation’s largest and most diverse network of education funders dedicated to improving educational outcomes; nearly 300 organizations and 1,800 individuals are members of the organization. Grantmakers surveyed 91 funders, 65 of which are members of its organization and are collectively responsible for nearly $800 million in philanthropic spending in their most recent fiscal year.

Read the full article about the shifting priorities of education donors by Christina A. Samuels at Education Week.