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. 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

A large group of people standing and sitting in front of a projector screen.
Exploring The Impact Of Our Literacy Investments

05/09/2024 | Education

Informing Change evaluated our Education grantmaking. Explore their findings and recommendations to help us achieve our goal of all Oakland children reading at or above grade level by third grade.

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.