Thinking of making a big investment in your local public schools? If so, you'll want to make sure your donation makes the maximum impact. This article from The Bridgespan Group looks at successful programs in three US cities, and how the donors and districts worked side-by-side to make meaningful improvements in local public education and in their communities.

In communities across the country, local philanthropists have long provided
resources for existing schools ... These investments make a difference, sometimes a big one, for the students who benefit. At best, however, these are small-scale successes compared to the challenge of improving educational outcomes and life prospects for students across a whole district in a way that could significantly reduce poverty, build a better workforce, and strengthen the whole community.

Read the source article at The Bridgespan Group