Private foundations

Private foundations engage with GPE to support innovations, advance education policies and invest in transformation at scale, in-country and beyond.

A fund and a partnership

Private foundations have a pivotal role to play thanks to the skills and know-how they bring to the education sector, at all levels, including but also beyond their role as major funders of global education. Together we are working to improve learning outcomes, equity and inclusion for all.

Over more than a decade, private foundations have partnered with GPE to advance gender-responsive education planning, learning assessment systems, effective approaches to pre-primary and early childhood education, catalytic financing and global advocacy.

The GPE 2025 strategic plan encourages and incentivizes philanthropic engagement and the culture of evidence needed for well-focused education programs. Catalytic support from foundations is critical in a systemic, transformative approach to education financing and delivery.

Why partner with GPE?

Equity
Equity
Invest in equitable education opportunities for all children in lower-income or crisis-affected countries.
Scale
Scale
Leverage GPE’s partnership model to support change and transformation at scale.
High visibility
High visibility
Engage in education policy and dialogue that spotlights promising initiatives and mobilizes decision-makers to keep education high on the agenda.
Catalytic impact
Catalytic impact
Compound investments that leverage additional dollars for education in domestic and international financing.

Partnership stories

a preprimary classroom in Côte d'Ivoire. Credit: GPE / Rodrig Mbock

Unique collaboration between the LEGO Foundation and GPE's Knowledge & Innovation Exchange (KIX) is supporting 5 applied research projects scaling early learning innovations in 11 countries of East, West and Southern Africa. Read more

Credit: GPE/Rodrig Mbock
Grade 6 students standing up in their classroom in Collège moderne de N'Guyakro, Côte d'Ivoire

The Jacobs Foundation convenes a coalition of investors to activate the GPE Multiplier, bolstering Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Education in enhancing learning outcomes and adopting evidence-based solutions. Read more

Credit: GPE/Carine Durand
Children in their classroom in El Renacimiento school, in Villa Nueva, Guatemala. Credit: Maria Fleischmann / World Bank

The Carlos F. Novella and Sergio Paiz Andrade foundations are partners in a coalition of Guatemala-based actors that leveraged $10 million of GPE's Multiplier for a transformative modernization of the country's education system. Read more

Credit: Maria Fleischmann / World Bank
Tariq Al Gurg, CEO, Dubai Cares

Dubai Cares is the longest-standing philanthropic partner of GPE. Over the last decade, this partnership has nurtured collaboration on gender equality, learning assessments, early childhood education, education financing and more.

Credit: Rob Tannenbaum/UN Dispatch
01 04

How foundations can engage with GPE

Private foundations have partnered and engaged with GPE as a fund and as a partnership for over a decade. Our principle of mutual engagement recognizes that philanthropy is more than a funder of global education.

  • As technical partners, foundations actively support the partnership. Pilot investment programs such as BELDS on early childhood education or A4L on learning assessments have crystalized thematic niches for foundation engagement. Co-creation of applied research initiatives through GPE’s Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (KIX), support to partner countries through GPE’s Technical Assistance Initiatives, inputs into technical frameworks and strategic GPE documents are other examples of technical engagement.
  • As stakeholders in education dialogue and coordination, foundations have been part of GPE governance through a distinct Board seat since 2018. At country level, a growing number of foundations of all sizes are investing time and resources in joining and supporting local education groups or other coordination mechanisms.
  • As advocates and influencers, private foundations have supported GPE’s efforts and campaigns to advocate for more and better financing for education. They also voice the ongoing need for action on transformative agendas including gender equality commitments, climate action and early childhood care and education.
  • As funders, foundations have contributed over $30 million to the GPE Fund to date, in support of the Girls’ Education Accelerator, KIX and thematic initiatives. An additional $100+ million have been deployed or committed in co-financing of country-level education programs through the GPE Multiplier.

GPE’s model of engagement with private foundations offers the flexibility to explore partnerships and collaboration where interests intersect, towards the transformation of education systems.

Some of our partners

Aga Khan Foundation
Carlos Novella Fundacion
Dubai Cares
Education Above All
Funsepa
Jacobs Foundation
Lego Foundation

GPE objectives require joint efforts and commitment to achieve quality education for every child. Discover how global and country-level partners work together to make GPE a stronger and more inclusive partnership.

CONTACT US

Testimonials

Latest blog and news