View our resources for: Nonprofit

Making the Most of Grantmaking

Rigorous and transparent open Request for Proposals (RFP) processes are one strategy grantmakers can use to source, vet and select high-potential grantees. Done well, RFPs can introduce funders to new ideas and grantees while fostering more equitable and effective grantmaking....
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Making the Most of the Every Student Succeeds Act

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) gives all states the chance to dramatically change the way they approach and think about public education. “Making the Most of ESSA” is a reference guide designed to help policymakers and other stakeholders leverage...
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Planning and Managing Effective Networks

Since its founding in 2008, Education First has helped numerous partners – from funders, to nonprofits, to the Federal Government – establish and facilitate networks of grantees, districts and educators. Effective collaboratives, communities of practice and grantee networks are a...
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Education First Strategic Planning Overview

In any strategic planning project, our task is to help the organization leaders and staff develop a blueprint that will guide their organization for several years. The organization’s ideas, values and activities must be knit together into a coherent strategy....
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Brief 1: An Introduction

In this brief we outline what alignment between K-12 and higher education means and how to achieve it in practice. We go into detail on why alignment is important and what the key elements of alignment are. We then offer...
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Brief 2: Defining College and Career Readiness

In this brief we outline how K-12 and higher education can create a shared definition of what college and career readiness means. We found that this shared definition often forms the basis of a broader K-12/higher education college readiness improvement...
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