The Kenneth Rainin Foundation awarded $7.8 million in Education grants in July to support Oakland’s early learning ecosystem. These single- and multi-year grants aim to advance literacy efforts within the community. This round of funding supports:
- Boosting literacy achievement through access to evidence-based interventions.
- Strengthening literacy instruction and intervention infrastructure within elementary school systems and educator preparation.
- Promoting anti-racist and culturally responsive practices in school systems.
- Elevating family knowledge and partnership in literacy development.
- Increasing educator retention through decolonized healing and wellness programming.
- Bolstering early care and literacy convening and advocacy spaces.
Organizations that received funding in this round include:
- 3Ls Academy
- Always Dream
- American Public Media
- Aspire Public Schools
- Center for Collaborative Classroom
- Education for Change Public Schools
- East Bay Agency for Children
- Families in Action
- FULCRUM
- High Expectations
- Lead Liberated
- Lighthouse Community Schools
- Lotus Bloom
- Oakland Literacy Coalition
- Oakland Public Education Fund
- Oakland Starting Smart and Strong
- Oakland Unified School District
- Reach University
- The Oakland REACH
- The Teaching Well
The Rainin Foundation remains focused on our goal of every child entering kindergarten ready to learn and reading at grade level by third grade. This round of awards reflects recommendations aimed at strengthening our grantmaking to ensure literacy proficiency for third graders in Oakland. As a learning organization, the insights we gain help shape our grantmaking and other efforts. See the complete list of 2024 Education grantees.
Want to learn more about our grantees and their partnerships? Contact our Education Team.
