Startup investments to create new private schools
School leaders who are within a year of launch of a brand new private school that meets Drexel’s investment criteria (at right) and geographic boundaries can submit a business plan and five-year budget to be eligible for a multi-year school startup investment.
A startup investment—limited to operational support in the early years of a school’s launch—is intended to put a school on a path to sustainability, recognizing that the early years of a school launch will likely require philanthropic support. To learn more about applying for a school startup grant, please email us at info@drexelfund.org.
Drexel Investment Criteria
- The school is new (or in its first year of operation), or expanding.
- The school has 501 (c) (3) status.
- The school serves at least 1/3 low income students, with “low income” defined as eligible for free/reduced lunch (i.e., 185% of federal poverty guideline).
- The school is eligible and approved to participate in a state's school choice program.
- No more than 15% of the operating budget of the school will come from fundraising/philanthropy when the school is at full size.