Our Approach
As a national nonprofit, we make multi-year, philanthropic investments in talented education leaders from around the country who are building networks of excellent public charter schools. We seek to fund existing schools that are doing a great job serving students and want to expand their impact. To date, we’ve funded over 1,100 schools that serve more than 585,000 students in 34 states, DC, and Puerto Rico, and we’re just getting started.
Our Portfolio
CSGF has supported a portfolio of the nation’s leading public charter school networks since 2005. While some portfolio members are large and serve over 10,000 students, we are also committed to helping single-site charter schools and early stage networks successfully navigate the process of scaling their impact. More than 70% of the networks that we have helped to scale over the past 15 years served less than 1,000 students when we first supported them.
We believe it is vital for network leaders, school leaders, and teachers to represent the backgrounds of the students they serve. Over 80 percent of the students in our Seed portfolio of charter schools are students of color, and about 70 percent of students are from low-income families. Since 2013, through our Seed strategy, we have invested millions in over 100 charter school leaders of color to expand their impact and serve more students and families in their communities.
Who We Are Looking For
We support nonprofit organizations that run some of the top public charter schools in their communities and are redefining what is possible in America’s public schools. Additionally, CSGF continues to prioritize supporting leaders of color. We provide funding, resources, and mentorship as they open more schools. Our portfolio members typically share the following traits:
- ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
- AMBITION TO GROW
- COMMITMENT TO FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
- STRONG LEADERSHIP COMMITTED TO UNDERSERVED STUDENTS
THE 2022 SEED COHORT
Academy of Visual and Performing Arts
Dr. Stephanie Love
Lead Founder, Proposed Superintendent | Fort Worth, TX
The Academy for Visual and Performing Arts is a creative arts public charter school for K-12th grade students in Fort Worth, TX. In line with the schools' mission to promote equity and access, all students experience arts-integrated, project-based learning across subject areas and conservatory programming in dance, digital media arts, literary arts, music, theatre, and visual arts. When asked why she leads Dr. Love says, "My desire to provide equity and access to high-quality education for students in Fort Worth; students like me who have the capacity for overcoming extraordinary circumstances when given the opportunity and resources."
Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School
Ruben Morris
Chief Executive Officer | Bessemer, AL
The Alabama Aerospace & Aviation High School (AAHS) is Alabama’s first aerospace and aviation high school and is bringing a whole new kind of educational opportunity to students: the chance to get an outstanding high school education combined with industry-aligned, career-focused training and experience. In addition to hands-on, experiential instruction, AAHS provides clearly defined pathways for our diverse student body to enter aviation and aerospace careers. When asked his inspiration to lead, CEO Morris says, "I am inspired by helping to cultivate diverse leadership and a culture of excellence. I want to help develop the next generation of diverse aviation and aerospace professionals committed to transforming the world."
Allegiance STEAM Academy Thrive
Dr. Sebastian Cognetta
Chief Executive Officer | Fontana + Chino, CA
Allegiance STEAM Academy Fontana partners with families and communities to provide a high quality education that unleashes students’ natural potential for creativity and innovation. Through a STEAM-focused instructional program, students develop their academic and social emotional competences in order to prosper in evolving economies and bring value to their communities. When asked his motivation, Dr. Cognetta says he is "inspired to serve others - students, staff, and our families."
Atlas Public Schools
Colby Heckendorn
Executive Director | St. Louis, MO
Atlas Elementary is a new school for curious, creative, and compassionate kids. Located in the heart of St. Louis' Midtown neighborhood, Atlas, instills a love of learning in their kids while empowering them to build a healthy future for themselves, our community, and the world. They believe children learn best through authentic, hands-on experiences. Atlas' integrated approach to teaching helps their students make real-world connections and ignites their imaginations. Heckendorn says, "The students and families I serve inspire me to lead our team at Atlas Public Schools. I am committed to providing our students with a positive school experience which truly prepares them to thrive in middle school, high school, and beyond."
Aventura Community School
Dr. Natalie Morosi
Executive Director | Nashville, TN
Aventura Community School is a K-8 bilingual (English/ Spanish) school in Southeast Nashville offering a project-based learning approach and a focus on global competence. Aventura is now in its founding school year serving grades K-1 and will add one grade level each school year until reaching eighth grade. When asked what inspires her to lead, Dr. Morosi says, "I am inspired to lead to bring to life a needed educational opportunity in our Nashville community. We are creating the optimal learning environment to develop the globally competent future leaders that our world needs."
Breakthrough Charter School
Darren Ramalho
Founder and Head of School | Marion, AL
The mission of Breakthrough Charter School is to prepare students in Perry County for success as citizens and leaders by providing a rigorous, service-oriented, and project-based public school that supports the social-emotional development of each individual child. Ramalho says, "I am a firm believer that all children deserve advocates and champions. I lead to inspire, challenge, and encourage students and educators to positively impact their communities, families, and life trajectories."
ChattAcademy Community School
Nolan Mcdaniel
Executive Director | Chattanooga, TN
Set to open in fall 2023, ChattAcademy Community School will support 6th – 12th grade learners in pursuing curiosity, growing in global competence through bilingual studies, impacting their communities, and developing authentic character in order to be prepared to excel in the postsecondary opportunities of their choice. Mcdaniel says he is inspired to lead by "a deep commitment to East Tennessee and public education. What continues to re-inspire me is seeing the potential to reimagine what's possible when we invite the community to the table to design a great school for their children and future."
DC WILDFLOWER PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS
Rachel Kimboko
Executive Director of Stakeholder Engagement | Washington, DC
Wildflower is an ecosystem of decentralized Montessori micro-schools that support children, teachers, and parents. Wildflower aspires to give all children and families the opportunity to choose high quality, beautiful learning environments as they follow life’s unfolding journey. Kimboko says, "I'm inspired to lead a community of educators committed to creating liberatory educational experiences that are grounded in culturally-responsive Montessori practice and invite children and adults to be their whole selves every day. We hope to be a proof point that it is possible to 'do school' differently: community-embedded, intentionally small, and ceding power to the Teacher Leaders who are closest to their community."
DeKalb Brilliance Academy
Jocelyn Alter
Head of School | Atlanta, GA
DeKalb Brilliance Academy is a Kindergarten-8th grade charter school enrolling grades K-2 in 2022, and grades K-3 in 2023 (adding a grade each year). The school empowers students to be leaders through combining rigorous & relevant academics with social-emotional learning. They put all of this together through Entrepreneurial Project-based Learning, where students learn not only from their teachers and peers, but also directly from scientists, lawyers, engineers, and designers. Alter says, "We are inspired to lead by the strength, gifts, and talents - the brilliance - of our young people. We are committed to following their ideas as they build a more just and equitable future."
Discovery Charter School
Toni Shellady
Principal | Bahama, NC
The mission of Discovery Charter School is to prepare students to be self-motivated, lifelong, independent and collaborative learners through a challenging STEAM-focused curriculum in an innovative and supportive environment. When asked what motivates her, Shellady says "I am inspired each and every day to lead so that the lives of others are made better, the future of education is brighter, and the world is a happier and more peaceful place."
Empower Community School
Dr. Anthony Oliver
Founder and Executive Director | Birmingham, AL
Empower Community School influences change in the community by forging collaboration between a diverse group of scholars, educators, families, and partners to educate the next generation of community leaders and advocates. Their personalized approach to learning supports the academic, social, and emotional development of each scholar and prepares them to excel in every endeavor with the courage and ability to advocate for themselves and the community. Dr. Oliver says, "I am inspired to lead because I am motivated by the opportunity to build community amongst scholars, families and educators while positively impacting the educational narrative of our community."
Essence Preparatory
Akeem Brown
Superintendent | San Antonio, TX
Essence Preparatory Public School is where children learn the skills they need to advocate for themselves and the needs of their communities after graduation. Essence Prep was created to meet the educational, social, and emotional needs of black and brown children, and will and show that home zip codes are not predictors of educational success. They are shaping education in San Antonio by focusing on their student’s journey of self-discovery and improving outcomes for scholars. When asked what inspires him, Brown says, [I am inspired to create] "a belonging space that provides students the resources, support, and care for students to see themselves as visionaries who solve tough problems, work hard, and create the future."
I Dream Big Academy
Angela Lang
CEO and Head of School | Montgomery, AL
The mission of I Dream Big Academy is to break generational cycles of poverty by providing a rigorous and quality education that inspires children to BELIEVE in their dreams, PREPARE them to become the best version of themselves, and empowers them to be relentless in their pursuit to ACHIEVE limitless potential. When asked why she leads, Lang says, "I am inspired to lead because of the hope and anticipation of encouraging students to discover their passions and gifts while embracing the purposeful life they are destined to live."
Kwiyagat Community Academy
Dan Porter
Head of School | Towaoc, CO
Kwiyagat Community Academy envisions a future where the graduates of the school will have a strong grounding in Nuchiu culture and language while incorporating modern perspectives as contributing members of the Ute Mountain Ute community. The new generation of school graduates will foster a revitalization of the Nuchiu language and culture and use this knowledge to ground them in a positive self-identity and create community connections built on mutual respect, academic success and focused career goals. When asked why he leads Porter says, "I feel fulfilled when others (kids and adults) are able to achieve their goals big or small. Education is a great conduit to give people the tools they need through coaching and servant leadership."
Latino Educational Equity Partnership (LEEP)
Roberto Gutierrez
Founder and President | Brooklyn, NY
At LEEP Dual Language Academy, students develop academic fluency in the English and Spanish languages; meet New York standards in all academic subjects; and develop the cultural understanding and virtuous habits necessary to thrive as learners, workers, family members, and participants in civil society. When asks his motivation, Gutierrez says "As founder of LEEP Inc, I am driven by a commitment to justice by providing a level playing field for all students through our community's love of languages. As an immigrant myself, I am inspired by the compelling narratives of our families to inspire us as a learning community that we engage the academic challenges of our students and respond nimbly con respeto y cariño every day."
Memphis Merit Academy Charter School
Lakenna Booker
Head of School | Memphis, TN
Memphis Merit Academy Charter School is a college preparatory school supporting students to problem solve and think critically about the world around them. Through rigorous academics, high-quality instruction, and character development Memphis Merit educates students in kindergarten through eighth grade for success in high school, college, and life. Booker says "I am inspired by the resiliency of my scholars and their ability to achieve despite the challenges they may face. I am inspired by dreams my scholars will realize as a result of receiving a high quality education."
Municipal Futuro Schools
Cristina Miranda Palacios
Founding Executive Director | Coamo, Puerto Rico
Municipal Futuro Schools unites local governments on the island in a non-partisan effort to improve the quality of life of the Puerto Rican people. It aims to strengthen the capacity of local governments and communities on the island in the face of social, physical, fiscal, and governance challenges. Palacios says, "I am inspired to lead, and also follow, by the conviction that a new way, a new order, a new system is possible, one that is based on equality and acceptance, and where resources are assigned depending on capacity and need. My leadership stems from the commitment that I have towards social justice, and from the recognition that being a leader is not only an honor, but also a responsibility and privilege."
Peace Academy
Ebony Payne Brown
School Leader | Atlanta, GA
Opening August 2023, PEACE Academy will be the only inclusive charter school that provides identity based development for students in grades Kindergarten through 8th in Southeast Metro Atlanta. PEACE aims to educate students to learn the complete truth about their history and the role we play in our communities in an era where curriculum often omits marginalized groups of people. When asked what inspires her to lead, Brown says "Our children are brilliant, deserving, and powerful beyond measure. It is our responsibility to help them realize how dynamic they truly are and to help them find their liberation."
Promesa Academy
Ambika Dani
Chief Executive Officer | San Antonio, TX
At Promesa, they recognize that elementary education is the foundation and determiner for students’ future success in middle and high school and college, and as a result, they ensure that students have teachers who are deeply knowledgeable and passionate about the subjects they teach. Starting in Kindergarten, our students will have an expert teacher for each subject, instead of one teacher who tries to balance teaching five or six different subjects. When asks what inspires her, Dani says, "I believe that every child deserves access to a life filled with choice and opportunity and the most powerful way to ensure this happens is by providing every child with an educational experience that is rooted in love and equity."
Prospect Academy of Colorado
Mia Coffing
Founding Principal | Arvada, CO
Prospect Academy of Colorado was founded on the belief that all students, including those who learn differently, can reach their potential with the right programming and support. They aim to serve students who have diagnoses of autism, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and ADHD, or those who might have similar profiles or learning styles to the aforementioned diagnoses. They believe that these diagnoses do not preclude students from engaging in rigorous, college-track academics. Coffing says "I am inspired to provide the best space possible for our students and families, who have been traditionally misunderstood and underserved for so long. Seeing how they shine in an environment that is designed and responsive to them and helps them feel and be successful is the best source of inspiration!"
Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts
Jordan Franco and Michele Platis
Directors of Operations and Academics, respectively Albuquerque, NM
The mission of Rio Grande Academy of Fine Arts (RioGAFA) is to educate students through an arts-integration curriculum that promotes problem solving and creativity and supports all K-12 students to achieve grade-level standards. Co-leaders Franco and Platis say they are both inspired and motivated to lead "by our belief that ALL students deserve a high-quality education taught by high-quality teachers. Our students are our future, and they deserve access to grade-level work taught by trained and committed teachers."
South Bronx Charter Schools for International Cultures
Evelyn Hey
Executive Director | Bronx, NY
In an effort to represent the community’s prestige, The South Bronx Charter School for International Cultures and the Arts is a model of excellence providing its youngsters with a constructivist and child centered curriculum. The intellectually challenging and standards based curriculum is enriched by their international perspective, the arts, and dual language program. When asks what motivates her, Hey says "I believe that principals are the key lever to student success, which is why I've dedicated over 30 years of my life to serve in the role. Now, as Executive Director of a Network, I provide training to future principals to ensure that they have the skills necessary to successfully lead their school and have a positive impact on their students' education and life."
South Shore Charter School
Dermoth Mattison
Founder & Executive Director | Central Islip, NY
South Shore Charter School’s mission is to cultivate in students the tenacity, integrity, and curiosity needed to become innovative and socially responsible leaders, ready to face and solve the ever-changing challenges facing our society. Mattison says"I am inspired to close the achievement gap among minorities in economically disadvantaged communities. I believe that all children should have access to high quality education."
Spelligent Education
Toni Barton
Founder and President | Washington, DC
Spelligent is a play on the word intelligent and signifies the ideal that every learner has the ability and opportunity to obtain knowledge and skills (intelligence). Schools should be designed to support every learner. When they do, they are Spelligent™. Their mission is to create an army of Spelligent educators, families, and students so that all learners, regardless of ability, are supported in school, at home, and beyond. When asked what motivates her to lead, Barton says, "Every student deserves access to spaces where they thrive. My vision is to create those spaces and to support educators with meeting the needs of all students."
The Gathering Place
Asia Klekowicz and Ryan York
Co-CEOs | San Antonio, TX
The Gathering Place celebrates and builds upon what makes us diverse, works in relentless pursuit of equity, and facilitates inclusivity to create a community where people feel an authentic sense of belonging. The culture of this schools is built on restorative practices and focuses on accountability through repairing the harm that was done. Co-leaders Klekowicz and York say, "Our inspiration to lead comes from our belief that schools predict society 20 years to the future; and right now, most of our nation's schools are simply upholding society's status quo which is rooted in inequity, in assimilation to compliance, in practices that diminish the inner-brilliance and humanity of children and adults. We lead because we believe schools (and therefore society in 20 years!) can look radically different, and be full of love, of nourishing each child's inner-brilliance, of anti-bias work and action."
Texas Empowerment Academy
David W. Nowlin
Superintendent | Austin, TX
The mission of the Texas Empowerment Academy is to provide its students with a sound education in a nurturing and stable environment conducive to learning and academic excellence. When asks his motivation to lead, Nowlin says "If you ask me what I was put on this earth to do, this is it. I’m living my dream. The school is a community, it’s a family, and we’re changing lives, families, communities, and the world. It’s a wonderful feeling."
The Leadership School
Dr. Kimberly Townsend
Executive Director | St. Louis, MO
Every student is unique and The Leadership School's tailored approach provides every child with support for their unique journey. The school creates individual learning plans for every student leader. They emphasize student-teacher collaboration so that everyone feels empowered to own their education. When asks her motivation to lead, Dr. Townsend says "Growing up on the south side of Chicago, teachers like Mrs. Robinson in 6th grade made a huge difference in my life by having extremely high expectations of me, ushering me into new opportunities, and making sure that I was well prepared for every door that I would walk through. My K-12 experience set me up to be a leader, of myself, and in every community where I’ve served. This is what I want to be true for every child in our community, and why I’ve worked tirelessly to launch TLS."
Thrive Center For Success
Elizabeth Goldsmith
Executive Director | Conroe, TX
Thrive Center for Success is a new autism-focused, tuition-free public charter school coming to the The Woodlands/Magnolia area in Fall 2022. Thrive will be the first of its kind in Texas and is unique because it will incorporate intensive Applied Behavior Analysis, the gold standard treatment for autism, into an academic setting. Goldsmith says, "My desire to create an educational environment that gives students with autism the tools needed to thrive and reach their full potential is what inspires me to lead."
THRIVE Community School
Sean Duncan
Executive Director | Santa Fe, NM
THRIVE Community School is a diverse and affirming K-8 learning community that embraces social and emotional learning practices and utilizes evidence-based teaching to advance educational equity. We use innovative approaches to drive academic achievement, eliminate disparities in student outcomes, and reinforce a positive self-concept so that all students are positioned to follow paths of their choice. Duncan says what inspires him to leads is that "I believe that there is nothing more rewarding and important that improving education opportunities and outcomes for students - particularly those who have been intentionally marginalized."
Unbound Stockton Community School
Phillip Hon
Executive Director | Stockton, CA
Unbound Stockton focuses on education and opportunities for elementary-aged students, which allow them to not only build diverse relationships but also strengthen their connection to their community. They ensure equity in outcomes and in educating all students, using various methods of personalization, so all students have the opportunity to pursue their passions. Hon says, "Growing up in Stockton, CA, I saw the inequities that existed in our education system - with opportunities given to some and withheld directly from others. Having seen the power of innovation and autonomy in schools, I decided to become an educator to specifically create a new paradigm for how our diverse community uplifted each other through the power of education."
Vimenti Charter School
Barbara Rivera
Executive Director | San Juan, Puerto Rico
Vimenti was created to provide Puerto Rican children, families and communities with strong academic and emotional support to help transform their lives, thereby restoring vibrancy to our Island and creating a future workforce to be a partner in the economic development of the island. Rivera says what inspires her to lead is, "My genuine commitment to being an agent of change for the most vulnerable moves me to service every day. I take our mission of eradicating child poverty with respect and passion; which I could not do without committed work teams that also work to open new opportunities for the most vulnerable."
Willie J. Frink College Prep
Arleana Waller
Founder | Bakersfield, CA
Willie J. Frink College Prep (WJFCP) mission is to provide a culturally developed and curious scholastic experience that’s rooted in civic, entrepreneur, and college preparatory. The school approach is focused on educating the whole child, providing an educational experience driven by dynamic leadership, committed parent advocates, and a pathway to success. WJFCP seeks to raise expectations, increase outcomes, and develop college- and career-ready leaders. Walker says she leads because, "Closing the opportunity gap for African American students inspires and fuels me."
YouthBuild Preparatory Academy
Anthony Hubbard
Chief Executive Officer | Providence, RI
Developed in response to the persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color, YouthBuild Preparatory Academy, Inc provides a liberating educational experience to all students, with a focus on engaging young men of color, preparing them to be confident, civically engaged leaders. They are committed to a holistic approach that builds community and promotes positive social, emotional, and academic development. When asks what inspires him, Hubbard says, "My young people inspire me! I can see the emerging leaders within them, meaning I must engage, develop and mentor them to be the great civically-engaged leaders I know they can be."
Zest Preparatory Academy
N. Monique Carruthers
Executive Director | Douglasville, GA
ZEST Preparatory Academy provides an academically rigorous, supportive, and joyful learning environment that develops the leader inside every student for lifelong educational achievement and community service. They empower students with the necessary skills to take advantage of opportunities that foster academic, cultural, and personal growth. Carruthers says, "The work we do today will continuously shape our world. I am inspired by the opportunity to have an impact on the next generation of thoughtful, diverse, and knowledgeable humans who will lead across the globe."