About Us
The NEA Foundation is an independent public charity created in 1969 and sustained by contributions from educators, corporate sponsors, and other supporters of public education. The Foundation offers grants and programs that support educators' efforts to close the achievement gaps, increase classroom innovations, provide professional development, and salute excellence in education.
Vision, Mission, Values
Our Vision is a great public education for every student.
The NEA Foundation, through the unique strength of its partnership with educators, advances student achievement by investing in public education that will prepare each of America's children to learn and thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Closing the Achievement Gaps
To date, the NEA Foundation has invested about $6.2 million in its signature, district-based Closing the Achievement Gaps Initiative with pilots in three districts: Hamilton County (Chattanooga), Tenn.; Milwaukee, Wis.; and Seattle, Wash. The Foundation is expanding this initiative in 2009-2010 by awarding new grants.
Learn more about the Closing the Achievement Gaps Initiative
Grants to Educators
In addition to its Closing the Achievement Gaps Initiative, the NEA Foundation has awarded over 2,000 grants totaling more than $6 million to individual and teams of public school teachers and education support professionals to support and share ideas and approaches to strengthen teaching and learning.
Learn more about our grant programs
Awards
The Foundation’s Awards for Teaching Excellence program recognizes, rewards, and promotes excellence in teaching and learning. As recipients of The Awards for Teaching Excellence, educators receive personal monetary gifts, digital arts training for teachers and students in their schools courtesy of the Pearson Foundation, and expenses-paid travel to the NEA Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Education gala for themselves and a guest.
The Foundation also recognizes support of public education through its Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education and its Award for Philanthropy in Public Education. The NEA Foundation Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education honors individuals and organizations for their lifelong commitment to advancing public education and is typically presented to those who work outside the field. The NEA Foundation Award for Philanthropy in Public Education is presented to corporations and other entities of stature in recognition of their significant and demonstrated financial commitment to improving public education or supporting of public schools and educators.