Education - Kenneth Rainin Foundation
Photo credit: Evan Blaser Photography / Lighthouse Community Public School

Education

The Rainin Foundation envisions a world where all Oakland children succeed regardless of their race, level of income or neighborhood. We focus on early childhood education because these years make a big difference in a child’s life.

Children learn at home, in the community and in the classroom. Empowering the adults who interact with them daily can help children be successful in school and in life. At the heart of our approach are four equity levers that can lead to improved outcomes for children: teaching and learning, support for families and communities, policy advocacy and strategic networks. We ground our work in community wisdom, partnering with families, educators, community organizations and like-minded funders to unlock potential in Oakland’s youngest learners.

Education Program Snapshot

Education Grants

Education grants are by invitation only. Funding supports teachers and families to build relationships that develop children’s language, literacy and social emotional skills so they become confident and joyful learners!

Education News & Stories

Four people seated and two others standing around a table, all smiling at the camera.
Foundation Awards Over $626,000 in Education Grants

01/23/2024 | Education

2023 end-of-year Education grants support Oakland’s early learning ecosystem.

smiling adult leans over a long table filled with books to help a child. In the background young children stand with tote bags.
Aligning Oakland’s Literacy Ecosystem

11/16/2023 | Education

The Oakland Literacy Coalition reflects on their newly refreshed three-year strategy in this guest blog.

a group of 16 people, many holding paper certificates and smiling under an arc of balloons
Families Need Champions And Co-Conspirators

10/04/2023 | Education

Families in Action focuses on multiple levers for change—building community, individual coaching, education campaigns and their signature leadership institutes.