The School Fund: How It Works and What It Aims to Achieve

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The School Fund is a vital initiative that provides financial support to students in need. It aims to bridge the gap between low-income families and the high costs of education.

The fund is managed by a team of dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to identify deserving students and allocate the resources accordingly. They consider factors such as family income, academic performance, and extracurricular activities when selecting recipients.

One of the key goals of The School Fund is to increase access to quality education for underprivileged students. By providing financial assistance, the fund enables students to pursue their educational aspirations without being burdened by financial constraints.

The fund also aims to promote academic excellence and social mobility among its beneficiaries. By supporting students from low-income backgrounds, The School Fund helps to break the cycle of poverty and create opportunities for a brighter future.

Background and History

The School Fund was founded in 2010 by Matt Severson, Roxana Moussavian, and Andrew Perrault, all then Brown University students.

Their idea to raise money for students' school fees stemmed from Severson's 2007 trip to Tanzania, where he met a boy who couldn't afford to pay his school fees.

In 2010, The School Fund won the Clinton Global Initiative University Outstanding Commitment Award.

History

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The School Fund was founded in 2010 by Matt Severson, Roxana Moussavian, and Andrew Perrault, all then Brown University students, after Severson's 2007 trip to Tanzania, where he met a boy who couldn't afford to pay his school fees.

The organization's early success was marked by winning the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI University) University Commitment Challenge in 2010.

In 2012, The School Fund partnered with Grammy award-nominated singer Carolyn Malachi on her music video for "Free Your Mind", which featured product placement promoting the organization.

Each view of the video resulted in one hour of classroom time, funded by the #IAMCampaign and Chegg.

The School Fund continued to grow, merging with Education Generation (EdGen) in 2013.

Severson headed the nonprofit while simultaneously working at Google, a testament to his dedication to the cause.

George School

George School has a strong commitment to excellence, as evident in its ongoing support for exceptional faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and diverse programs that enrich the student experience.

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The George School Fund plays a crucial role in ensuring that the school can attract and retain top talent, providing a transformative education to students from diverse backgrounds.

Alumni like Richard Brown '61 give back to the school because of the profound impact it had on their lives, shaping their character and making them who they are today.

George School's dedication to providing an excellent academic and character-building education has continued to inspire alumni to support the school's mission, even after graduation.

The School Fund's Purpose and Goals

The School Fund believes that education is the most effective way to eradicate poverty, and its goal is to empower low-income students in developing countries with an education.

By harnessing technology, The School Fund enables the power of the crowd to fund students' educational expenses, providing a transparent 1:1 platform for donors to directly communicate with students.

The School Fund aims to solve the problem of 115 million school-aged children not attending school due to compulsory school fees prevalent in the developing world.

One hundred percent of TSF donations to students go directly to covering school fees, making it a reliable way to support education.

The School Fund empowers students to improve their lives by providing them with access to education, which can have a lasting impact on their future.

Key Strategies and Capabilities

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The School Fund has developed several key strategies to make a meaningful impact in the lives of low-income students in developing countries. They work with vetted Field Partners in Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.

TSF's rigorous vetting process ensures that Field Partners have strong ties to their respective communities, a systematic process for identifying students with financial barriers, and the ability to monitor students' progress. This helps to guarantee that donations are being used effectively.

The School Fund's crowdfunding platform is a proven success, allowing donors to directly fund students' educational expenses. This platform is transparent and engaging, providing a 1:1 connection between donors and students.

TSF transfers funds to Field Partners two weeks before the start of the academic year, ensuring that students receive their educational expenses on time. This efficient process allows students to start their academic year without delays.

The School Fund's 100% donation policy means that every penny donated goes directly toward students' educational expenses. This level of transparency and accountability is a testament to TSF's commitment to making a real difference in the lives of low-income students.

Impact and Accomplishments

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Your contributions to the George School Fund have a direct impact on every aspect of school life, from the classroom to the playing field.

The fund ensures that George School can attract and retain exceptional faculty, which is crucial for providing an excellent academic and character-building education.

Your gift to the George School Fund is a testament to your commitment to excellence, as it continues to support the school's mission to enrich the student experience.

With the ongoing support of the George School Fund, the school is able to provide state-of-the-art facilities and technology, which is essential for providing students with a well-rounded education.

Impact of Fees on Schools

School fees can be a significant barrier to education, especially for poor households. Many working children don't go to school or drop out because their parents can't afford the fees.

The United Nations recommends abolishing school fees to achieve universal access to primary education. In 2013, after many primary school fees were eliminated, enrollment in primary education in developing regions reached 90 percent.

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Countries that have abolished primary school fees have seen significant increases in school attendance. In sub-Saharan Africa, enrollment increased by 42 percent between 2000 and 2007.

Eliminating primary school fees doesn't always lead to increased transition rates to secondary school. In some countries, families struggle with the increased costs associated with secondary school, including tuition fees, uniforms, and time away from employment.

By August 2014, The School Fund had assisted over 850 secondary level students in 15 developing countries, providing a vital lifeline to those who might otherwise be unable to afford education.

Accomplishments and Next Steps

The School Fund has made a significant impact since its inception in 2009. They've served over 1,000 students, providing them with more than 1,500 years of education.

Raising funds for student educational expenses is crucial, and The School Fund has done just that, raising over $500,000 to support students in need.

Policies and Organization

The School Fund has a clear governance structure, with a Board of Directors that oversees the organization's operations.

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The Board is composed of experienced educators and business professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. They are responsible for making strategic decisions that ensure the long-term sustainability of the Fund.

The Fund has a dedicated team of staff who work tirelessly to manage the day-to-day operations, including grant administration, community outreach, and financial management. This team is led by an Executive Director who reports directly to the Board.

The School Fund is committed to transparency and accountability, with regular financial reports and an independent audit process in place to ensure that funds are being used effectively.

Looking Beyond the Fund

Getting past the technical questions of how money for schools gets calculated is a great idea, as it allows us to focus on what really matters: outcomes.

Oregon's governor, Kotek, set a new graduation rate goal of 90% by 2027, which is a more realistic target given the state's current graduation rate of 81.3% for the Class of 2023.

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Career and technical education classes have shown promise in helping students graduate, and tracking student progress in ninth grade can also be a game-changer.

We have the tools to make this happen, but it's essential to use them effectively and allocate funds accordingly to support students.

Kotek is optimistic about reaching the 90% graduation rate goal and is committed to working with districts to make it happen.

Bertha Hoeger

Junior Writer

Bertha Hoeger is a versatile writer with a keen interest in financial institutions and community development. Her work primarily focuses on banking and microfinance sectors, providing insightful analyses of various Indian financial entities and organizations. She has covered a range of topics, from banks based in Maharashtra and those established in 2019 to private sector banks and microfinance companies.

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