What We Do
Powering the creation and growth
of high-impact private schools
The Drexel Fund aims to expand access to high-impact private schools in underserved communities. Our grantmaking supports the creation of new schools and the expansion or replication of existing schools. We also work to ensure healthy ecosystems are in place to support the growth of financially accessible private schools.
Seed
Scale
Strengthen
About
In addition to funding, The Drexel Fund provides advisory support to school and network portfolio members, plays a key role in capturing and sharing best practices, and connects leaders across the private school sector.
Since 2015, we have raised over $50 million from purpose-driven donors and invested it to launch 73 new schools in 14 states, creating nearly 19,000 new seats.
While we appreciate that schools may need philanthropy to fund buildings enhancements, or improved programming, projects that don't directly create new schools or additional seats are not part of our mission.
We Support the Creation of Schools and Networks That Are:
High Quality
- Students achieve strong, consistent academic results on a state or nationally normed assessment;
- Teachers and school leaders actively use data to strengthen instructional practices;
- Leadership team has a strong track record in operations, finance, and student academic systems;
- School model integrates character and/or faith development.
Financially Sustainable
- Schools or networks will on average require no more than 15 percent of their operational budget at scale to be met by philanthropy.
Scalable and Replicable
- Leaders who aspire to grow networks are committed to replication and have plans to overcome the obstacles to high-quality growth.
All entrepreneurs and networks we fund must have a commitment to serving at least one-third low-income students.
