In the last two decades, private foundations and philanthropic organizations have emerged as full-fledged development partners.

These groups not only make financial contributions on par with bilateral and multilateral actors but also deploy their networks, capabilities and expertise in support of innovation, research and advocacy.

Although their collaboration with ministries of education, education institutions and other country-based partners is better known, their engagement with formal coordination and policy dialogue mechanisms such as local education groups remains under documented.

The growing interest among private foundations in contributing to national and global education objectives, and in making an impact at scale, is redefining their participation in sector dialogue and coordination.