Louis Calder Foundation
/Louis Calder Foundation
OVERVIEW: The Louis Calder Foundation invests exclusively in education reform through its four funding initiatives: charter and parochial schools, teacher leadership and development, public policy and capital projects. The foundation is a strong supporter of the growth and expansion of charter and faith-based schools in geographic areas of high need.
IP TAKE: The Louis Calder Foundation invests exclusively in education reform, supporting the expansion of established charter school networks as well as the development of new schools through smaller organizations. In a break from its previous practice, this funder no longer accepts accept letters of inquiry and has transitioned to proactive grantmaking. This means that new grantseekers will need to consult their rolodex and find an alternate method of introduction.
PROFILE: The Louis Calder Foundation was established in 1951 by Louis Calder, president of the Perkins-Goodwin paper company. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, this foundation invests in education reform, supporting "academic programs throughout the country that offer families alternatives to under-performing public schools." Its investment areas are Growth of Charter Schools, Science of Reading, and Two-Generation Family Learning.
Grants for K-12 Education
The foundation's Growth of Charter Schools initiative supports “early-stage charter schools and emerging networks of charter schools” as they add grade levels to existing schools, open new schools or expand geographic focus. This initiative also supports smaller organizations in the establishment of new schools in areas of high need. In the area of Science of Reading, the foundation funds “early literacy instruction grounded in the evidence-based science of reading.” In the area of Two-Generation Family Learning, this funder prioritizes support for early childhood development, specifically from birth through age five, by investing in programs and organizations that focus on both parents and children.
Past grantees include Classical Charter Schools, Hope Christian Schools, Teach for America and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. A listing of previous grantees is available on the investment themes page under the individual area.
Important Grant Details
Louis Calder grants range from $50,000 to $300,000 with an average grant amount of $100,000. The foundation has funded large and small projects in 32 states and limits funding to the continental U.S.
The Louis Calder Foundation practices “proactive philanthropy” and does not accept unsolicited proposals or requests for funding. General questions may be submitted via email.
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