As a placed-based, regional funder, Nellie Mae gives in service to over 1,500 district communities and six states across New England.
We believe these communities are best positioned to build on the science of learning and human development to define what excellent, rigorous, and relevant means for them, within and across communities.
Our role is to strengthen the ecosystem — infrastructure, actors, knowledge base of strategies and tools, and resources to support a thriving, coherent New England education ecosystem that is:
- Grounded in community and family voices
- Driven by strong community and LEA partnerships
- Championed by committed decision makers and funding partners
- Informed by a durable data and knowledge infrastructure
- Supported by enabling practice, policy, and funding shifts
Our Vision
The Nellie Mae Education Foundation works to ensure every young person in New England has access to excellent, rigorous, and relevant educational experiences that support their healthy development and prepare them to thrive in school, community, and careers of the future.
Our Mission
Champion efforts that support community-rooted solutions that advance excellent student-centered public education for all New England youth.
Our Values
Put Youth at the Forefront
We must widen the lens of education to encompass the socio-cultural contexts of youth and families. Every decision the Foundation makes rests on its potential for improving the lives of our region’s youth least well-served by current systems.
Operate with a Race Equity Lens
We believe that applying a racial equity lens is essential for analyzing and solving problems that have endured for generations, impact individuals and communities of color most acutely, and ultimately affect ALL people, whether in other marginalized or privileged groups.
Build Reciprocal Relationships
Meaningful change demands a collective effort and shared problem-solving. We offer our resources and institutional knowledge with humility and attention to power dynamics. We listen and engage in authentic and equitable partnerships, mindful of our duty as a philanthropic organization, about when to step up and when to step back, and to use our power and privilege to contribute to transformational change.
Support Community-Driven Change
We believe communities should be able to drive the change that affects their lives. We must be responsive and open to addressing others’ identified priorities and use our institutional and individual privilege to share and reduce the risk for communities seeking change.
Learn, Adapt, and Improve
Achieving meaningful impact requires us to think differently, see differently, and work differently. We continuously draw from research, evaluation, informal perspectives, and knowledge to learn and drive transparent results-oriented decision-making.
Our Commitments
Our strategy encompasses five grant funds structured to reinforce one another in advancing our mission of championing efforts that prioritize community goals that challenge racial inequities and advance excellent, student-centered public education for all New England youth.
Our Vision
All youth have access to excellent and equitable public education that prepares them to succeed and thrive in the community.
Our Mission
To champion efforts that prioritize community goals that challenge racial inequities and advance excellent, student-centered public education for all New England youth.
Our Values
Put Youth at the Forefront
We must widen the lens of education to encompass the socio-cultural contexts of youth and families. Every decision the Foundation makes rests on its potential for improving the lives of our region’s youth least well-served by current systems.
Operate with a Race Equity Lens
We believe that applying a racial equity lens is essential for analyzing and solving problems that have endured for generations, impact individuals and communities of color most acutely, and ultimately affect ALL people, whether in other marginalized or privileged groups.
Build Reciprocal Relationships
Meaningful change demands a collective effort and shared problem-solving. We offer our resources and institutional knowledge with humility and attention to power dynamics. We listen and engage in authentic and equitable partnerships, mindful of our duty as a philanthropic organization, about when to step up and when to step back, and to use our power and privilege to contribute to transformational change.
Support Community-Driven Change
We believe communities should be able to drive the change that affects their lives. We must be responsive and open to addressing others’ identified priorities and use our institutional and individual privilege to share and reduce the risk for communities seeking change.
Learn, Adapt and Improve
Achieving meaningful impact requires us to think differently, see differently, and work differently. We continuously draw from research, evaluation, informal perspectives, and knowledge to learn and drive transparent results-oriented decision-making.