NewSchools Venture Fund

TECA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the support of educators of color in Tennessee. Diarese George, a former classroom teacher in the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System, founded the Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance in the fall of 2016 to provide a platform to amplify the voice and presence of educators of color.

Educators for Excellence is a non-profit dedicated to giving teachers a voice in policies that affect their students and profession. The company was founded in 2012 by Sydney Morris and Evan Stone.

GiveThx is a digital program that strengthens student wellbeing and social-emotional skills using gratitude science. Students and staff use digital thank you notes to recognize and reinforce positive behaviors that nurture relationships and build self-esteem. GiveThx is a powerful social-emotional learning system that schools can use on a daily basis, leveraging technology to create safe and inclusive communities. GiveThx is a nonprofit based in Oakland, CA with a mission to increase belonging and emotional wellbeing for all students.

Purpose Project helps both children and adults in developing skills such as self-awareness, self-direction, and community impact. The company is a non-profit organization based in San Francisco that is supported by Plussed and IDEO.

Move This World is a proactive mental health platform for PreK-12 students, staff, and families. Its evidence-based, interactive social-emotional learning programs are delivered via multimedia experiences that create a common language, support social-emotional development, and strengthen school communities where learning thrives. The platform is designed for seamless delivery and aligns with MTSS frameworks, enabling learning at school or home and supporting families to navigate changing realities through approaches grounded in creative arts therapy and positive psychology. The programs have reached over 4 million students across 45 states and 9 countries.

Teton Science School is a learning organization that uses a place-based methodology to increase participation, education, and community impact. They provide programs consisting of field education, classroom education, and educator development.

Strive for College connects aspiring college students with free, one-on-one, online mentoring through the entire college admissions and financial aid application process. Strive for College recruits and trains volunteer mentors throughout the country. Mentors work with high school students interested in attending college and provide one-on-one virtual mentoring to help them access and pay for college. From the spring semester of junior year until application deadlines are complete, Strive mentors and mentees meet for about one hour each week online. Mentoring pairs work through the year-long Strive for College curriculum, developed with college deans and admissions administrators, to cover every aspect of researching, applying to and paying for a student’s best-fit, four-year college.

Reasoning Mind, Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded in 2000 and based in Houston, Texas, dedicated to delivering high-quality mathematics education solutions for elementary and middle school students. As a subsidiary of Imagine Learning, the organization focuses on developing blended learning programs that integrate internet-based learning environments with classroom instruction. Reasoning Mind collaborates with schools to implement these innovative math education programs, providing resources and support to both students and teachers. With over 18 years of experience in the United States, Reasoning Mind aims to ensure that every child has access to an exceptional math education.

The MIND Research Institute enables elementary and primary students to reach their full academic and career potential through developing and deploying math instructional software and systems - working closely with community leaders, school administrators and educators, and civic leaders and donors. As non-profit organization, MIND also conducts basic neuro-scientific, mathematics, and education research to improve math education and advance scientific understanding.

Waterford.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to achieving universal literacy for children by promoting equity, access, and family empowerment in early education. The organization develops innovative educational tools that create adaptive, individualized learning paths, fostering fluent reading and lifelong learning. By empowering parents as primary educators and equipping teachers with the necessary resources, Waterford.org enhances the educational experience for students. The organization currently serves over 300,000 children annually across the United States. Waterford.org's initiatives have garnered support from various governmental and philanthropic entities, highlighting its commitment to improving educational outcomes through effective teaching models and technology-driven solutions.

Family Engagement Lab, LLC is a company dedicated to enhancing student outcomes in underserved communities through a focus on family engagement. Founded in 2016 and based in San Francisco, the company has developed an online platform featuring FASTalk, a text-based program that enables teachers to connect with families. This program aligns with curriculum-driven, at-home activities that foster students' social, emotional, and academic growth. In addition to facilitating teacher-family communication, the platform offers resources for families to build critical academic skills and cultivate effective learning habits and mindsets. By collaborating with various partners, Family Engagement Lab aims to understand and address the barriers to family engagement, providing solutions that respect and honor the diversity of families and communities.

PowerMyLearning is a national non-profit that leverages technology to strengthen the learning relationships among students, teachers, and families so that all students can succeed. Our work fosters growth in teachers as instructional leaders; in families as support partners; and in students as learners who can meet the challenge of high academic standards.

Education Leaders of Color is an organization that ensures young people of color have the support they need. They elevate the leadership, voices, and influence of people of color in education and promote more inclusive and sustainable efforts to improve education. They enable them to become critical thinkers, have choices, capitalize on opportunities, and secure continuing economic advancement.

Education Reform Now helps to improve outcomes for students who have been historically prohibited and underserved so that the system accrues benefits for everyone. They provide education policies that empower students and enable them to fulfil their limitless potential.

TCSC is a movement dedicated to effective policy, excellent schools, competent operators, and well-informed communities. The Tennessee Charter School Association and Tennessee Charter School Incubator merged in 2013 to form TCSC, which has a long history of providing comprehensive support to Tennessee's growing charter sector since 1998 and is critical to its continued growth.

Concentric Educational Solutions, established in 2010 by David Heiber, specializes in enhancing educational environments. The company offers a range of services, including home visits, mentoring, tutoring, professional development, and support for student culture, special education, and mental health. These services aim to address barriers impacting students, families, and staff, fostering a positive school climate and improving learning outcomes.

Academy for Urban School Leadership is a NPO that offers educational assist services for lower performing schools. The organization focuses on creating schools by developing skilled teachers and transforming educational outcomes for students in the lowest performing schools. It also assists its students in improving academic achievements and increasing student engagement in educational activities. Academy for Urban School Leadership was founded in 2001 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.

Uncommon Schools is a charter school. The school offers different educational programmes and academic disciplines. They provide an outstanding education that will prepare them to graduate from college and achieve their dreams. They offer educators training and development.

Acero Schools is an operator of public charter schools focused on providing educational opportunities that empower students for lifelong success. Through its charter management organization, Acero Schools aims to transform minds by fostering academic achievement and personal development. The institution is dedicated to preparing students for future challenges by equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge. Acero Schools emphasizes the importance of cultivating discerning and capable individuals who can effectively navigate their educational journeys and contribute positively to society.

Green Dot Public Schools is an educational institution dedicated to serving students who may struggle within the traditional school system. The organization focuses on providing opportunities for academic preparation and acceleration, particularly for those in underserved communities. By collaborating with families and local communities, Green Dot advocates for diverse school options tailored to student needs. Its educational services emphasize a rigorous curriculum complemented by academic counseling and support, equipping students with the skills necessary for success in college, leadership, and life.

Aspire Public Schools is a not-for-profit organization that operates 38 public charter schools across California and Tennessee, serving over 14,600 students in grades K-12. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Oakland, California, Aspire focuses on providing a rigorous education aimed at preparing students for college. The organization has achieved notable success, with nearly 100 percent of its graduating seniors being accepted into four-year colleges and universities over the past five years. In addition to its educational mission, Aspire runs the Aspire Teacher Residency program in partnership with the University of the Pacific, which trains individuals to become highly effective teachers. This program combines theoretical coursework with practical classroom experience, enabling residents to earn their teaching credentials and a master's degree in education while receiving priority for teaching positions in California and Memphis.