We help local, state, and national foundations develop grantmaking
strategies to catalyze innovation in all areas of education.
Photo: NLC Conference Planning 2022
Bezos Family Foundation
The Smarter Learning Group began working with the Bezos Family Foundation in 2020 to explore potential next steps in its investments in early learning. The Smarter Learning Group collaborated with IDEO.org to facilitate a process that engaged diverse local leaders and national partners in designing an Early Learning Nation Collective.
JF Maddox Foundation
Since 2015, the JF Maddox Foundation and Smarter Learning Group have been close partners in focusing on improving early reading outcomes in Hobbs, New Mexico. We worked together to launch and implement the HELP (Hobbs Early Literacy Pilot) initiative at Taylor Elementary School which resulted in improved reading instruction across the district and measurable progress on literacy performance prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The firm is currently facilitating a community-wide planning process that will result in Hobbs becoming a member of the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading and committing to 10-year goal of moving from 32% to 80% of kids in Hobbs reading on grade level by the end of 3rd grade based on the state’s standardized assessment.
