Investing in Equity for Seattle students
The Alliance for Education is an independent, local education fund that works in partnership with Seattle Public Schools to address big challenges facing students, families and educators.
How does the Alliance make a difference?
We develop, invest and partner in programs that increase equity for Seattle students.
We believe that our students succeed when they have access to an education system that equitably supports every student in Seattle’s diverse community.
We know what works and develop innovative programs based on proven best practices.
$3.8+ million
distributed to students and families with immediate, basic needs with the Right Now Needs Fund.
Learn More About The Fund
We invest to create an equitable, excellent education system for all students, especially those furthest from educational justice.
$3.6+ million
raised in support of creation of the Seattle Public Schools' Office of African American Male Achievement.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE INVESTMENTWe partner with Seattle Public Schools and the greater Seattle community to support student learning.
$160+ million
invested in Seattle Public School since 1995.
View Our Impact
Office of African American Male Achievement at SPS
The Alliance works in partnership with Seattle Public Schools and Seattle’s philanthropic community to identify strategies and innovations to invest in that advance racial equity and educational justice. Beginning in June 2019, the Alliance led the creation of a $3.6 million fund to support the founding of Seattle Public Schools’ Office of African American Male Achievement.
Seattle Teacher Residency
The Seattle Teacher Residency recruits, trains and retains highly qualified and diverse educators to teach in classrooms where they can work with students most impacted by inequity. The STR program has trained nearly 250 teachers who began their careers in Seattle Public Schools classrooms.
Right Now Needs Fund
The Right Now Needs Fund is a one-of-a- kind program that works at the individual school level to address the immediate basic needs of students and families across all 106 Seattle Public Schools. The fund ensures students fully participate in classroom activities by covering the costs of warm clothing, meals, technology access, and housing that are not included in individual school budgets, but necessary to help students thrive.
At the heart of our work is a commitment to create a public school system that is equitable and excellent for all students.
CLICK TO LEARN MORE Office of African American Male Achievement at SPSThe Alliance works in partnership with Seattle Public Schools and Seattle’s philanthropic community to identify strategies and innovations to invest in that advance racial equity and educational justice. Beginning in June 2019, the Alliance led the creation of a $3.6 million fund to support the founding of Seattle Public Schools’ Office of African American Male Achievement.
The Seattle Teacher Residency recruits, trains and retains highly qualified and diverse educators to teach in classrooms where they can work with students most impacted by inequity. The STR program has trained nearly 250 teachers who began their careers in Seattle Public Schools classrooms.
The Right Now Needs Fund is a one-of-a- kind program that works at the individual school level to address the immediate basic needs of students and families across all 106 Seattle Public Schools. The fund ensures students fully participate in classroom activities by covering the costs of warm clothing, meals, technology access, and housing that are not included in individual school budgets, but necessary to help students thrive.
Help us Celebrate 10 years of the Seattle Teacher Residency
For over a decade, the Seattle Teacher Residency has recruited, trained and retained highly qualified and diverse educators to teach in classrooms where they can work with students most impacted by inequity. The STR program has trained nearly 250 teachers who began their careers in Seattle Public Schools classrooms. Consider making a gift to help support the future of this work.
"Seattle Public Schools and the Alliance for Education are on a shared mission to rebuild an educational system that works for students of color furthest from education justice. The Alliance is an invaluable partner, bringing community, resources, and support to our shared vision."
DR. BRENT JONES, SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SUPERINTENDENTJoin us by making a donation.
We are grateful to our generous supporters
Champion Partners
By The Numbers
$1.2M
distributed to students and families with immediate needs
18,471
instances of student support
$550K+
distributed for food
130 STR
graduates teaching in 27 SPS Title I Schools
3,950 students
benefit daily from STR graduate teachers and residents in classrooms
47% of STR
program participants identify as people of color
$1.2M
distributed to students and families with immediate needs
18,471
instances of student support
$550K+
distributed for food
The Right Now Needs Fund closes gaps in basic needs support for Seattle Public Schools students and families.
Right Needs Now Fund:
- $1.2M in funds distributed to students and families with immediate needs
- 18,471 instances of student support
- $550,000+ distributed for food
- $502,000+ distributed for shelter
- $160,000+ distributed for clothing support
- $25,000+ distributed for school supplies
- $12,000+ distributed for health services
Right Needs Now Fund COVID-19 Response:
- 5,665 instances of student support
- 63% for food
- 34% for shelter
- 1% for school supplies
- 2% for clothing support
- $535,210 spent since March 2020; in the past 12 months $815,803 has been spent
130 STR
graduates teaching in 27 SPS Title I Schools
3,950 students
benefit daily from STR graduate teachers and residents in classrooms
47% of STR
program participants identify as people of color
The Seattle Teacher Residency recruits, trains, places, and supports excellent, committed teachers in SPS Title I schools. Graduates reflect the diversity of SPS students.
Research shows that teacher diversity has a direct positive impact on student success. STR plays a critical role in diversifying SPS’s teaching workforce. Residency participants commit to teaching at a Title 1 school in SPS for five years after graduation. This innovative program and partnership created a new pipeline of teachers who more closely reflect the diversity of the students they teach.
The Right Now Needs Fund closes gaps in basic needs support for Seattle Public Schools students and families.
Right Needs Now Fund:
- $1.2M in funds distributed to students and families with immediate needs
- 18,471 instances of student support
- $550,000+ distributed for food
- $502,000+ distributed for shelter
- $160,000+ distributed for clothing support
- $25,000+ distributed for school supplies
- $12,000+ distributed for health services
Right Needs Now Fund COVID-19 Response:
- 5,665 instances of student support
- 63% for food
- 34% for shelter
- 1% for school supplies
- 2% for clothing support
- $535,210 spent since March 2020; in the past 12 months $815,803 has been spent
The Seattle Teacher Residency recruits, trains, places, and supports excellent, committed teachers in SPS Title I schools. Graduates reflect the diversity of SPS students.
Research shows that teacher diversity has a direct positive impact on student success. STR plays a critical role in diversifying SPS’s teaching workforce. Residency participants commit to teaching at a Title 1 school in SPS for five years after graduation. This innovative program and partnership created a new pipeline of teachers who more closely reflect the diversity of the students they teach.
By The Numbers
$1.9 million
secured in 2020 from local philanthropies to found SPS’ Office of African American Male Achievement. This new effort creates policies, structures, and systems designed for Black male students’ success
13
philanthropic partners invested in this innovative strategy to date
40
Black/African American male students serve on the Student Leadership Council
$25,000
grant awarded to a principal every year for use in their school
18
Foster Award winners since 2000
$500,000
awarded to SPS leaders and schools since 2000
$1.9 million
secured in 2020 from local philanthropies to found SPS’ Office of African American Male Achievement. This new effort creates policies, structures, and systems designed for Black male students’ success
13
philanthropic partners invested in this innovative strategy to date
40
Black/African American male students serve on the Student Leadership Council
The Office of African American Male Achievement (AAMA) at Seattle Public Schools works to ensure that the educational environment across the Seattle public school system supports the brilliance and excellence of Black boys and teens. AAMA works to reconstruct school systems and structures to advance public education as a tool for transformation and liberation, and create a strong learning environment.
Culture: rituals, routines, and practices that honor students’ strengths. In collaboration with students, staff, families, and the community, AAMA will use transformative antiracist practices to disrupt patterns of systemic racism and rebuild the school system to support the advancement of Black boys and teens in education and life.
Conditions: policies, structures, and systems that support welcoming and safe learning spaces. AAMA works with district leadership, the school board, and school leaders to develop and implement policies, structures, and systems that support healthy development and learning for all Black boys and teens.
Competencies: skills and knowledge that educators need to reach and teach Black boys and teens. The district is committed to increasing integrated training on implicit bias, institutional and structural racism, and cultural competency; and growing the percentage of African American male educators and leaders in the district.
Community Connection: direct supports and networking opportunities for students to thrive. As part of SPS’s commitment to Black boys and teens, SPS will ensure that they receive the direct service supports, and community networking opportunities they need to navigate, thrive, and succeed not only in Seattle Public Schools but in life.
$25,000
grant awarded to a principal every year for use in their school
18
Foster Award winners since 2000
$500,000
awarded to SPS leaders and schools since 2000
The Alliance for Education brings together community to invest in educators and schools. With 25 years of leadership, the Alliance has built relationships and partnerships that provide monetary grants and showcase the leadership of educators working tirelessly to support students, with a focus on those committed to advancing racial equity.
Spotlight: Foster Award
Every year, two outstanding school leaders are surprised – often in front of their whole school –with the Thomas B. Foster Award for Excellence. The award recognizes and honors outstanding Seattle Public Schools principals who have demonstrated success in advancing racial equity and educational justice to improve outcomes in their school setting. In addition to public recognition, each honoree receives $25,000 to be utilized on behalf of their school community.
The award was established by the Alliance for Education in honor of the late Thomas B. Foster, a Seattle attorney and senior partner of the Foster Pepper law firm. Mr. Foster exemplified excellence in his profession during a career which spanned the last half of the 20th century and had a personal commitment to public education. Endowed by the Foster family, the Foster Award has been offered to 19 SPS principals since 2000.
The Office of African American Male Achievement (AAMA) at Seattle Public Schools works to ensure that the educational environment across the Seattle public school system supports the brilliance and excellence of Black boys and teens. AAMA works to reconstruct school systems and structures to advance public education as a tool for transformation and liberation, and create a strong learning environment.
Culture: rituals, routines, and practices that honor students’ strengths. In collaboration with students, staff, families, and the community, AAMA will use transformative antiracist practices to disrupt patterns of systemic racism and rebuild the school system to support the advancement of Black boys and teens in education and life.
Conditions: policies, structures, and systems that support welcoming and safe learning spaces. AAMA works with district leadership, the school board, and school leaders to develop and implement policies, structures, and systems that support healthy development and learning for all Black boys and teens.
Competencies: skills and knowledge that educators need to reach and teach Black boys and teens. The district is committed to increasing integrated training on implicit bias, institutional and structural racism, and cultural competency; and growing the percentage of African American male educators and leaders in the district.
Community Connection: direct supports and networking opportunities for students to thrive. As part of SPS’s commitment to Black boys and teens, SPS will ensure that they receive the direct service supports, and community networking opportunities they need to navigate, thrive, and succeed not only in Seattle Public Schools but in life.
The Alliance for Education brings together community to invest in educators and schools. With 25 years of leadership, the Alliance has built relationships and partnerships that provide monetary grants and showcase the leadership of educators working tirelessly to support students, with a focus on those committed to advancing racial equity.
Spotlight: Foster Award
Every year, two outstanding school leaders are surprised – often in front of their whole school –with the Thomas B. Foster Award for Excellence. The award recognizes and honors outstanding Seattle Public Schools principals who have demonstrated success in advancing racial equity and educational justice to improve outcomes in their school setting. In addition to public recognition, each honoree receives $25,000 to be utilized on behalf of their school community.
The award was established by the Alliance for Education in honor of the late Thomas B. Foster, a Seattle attorney and senior partner of the Foster Pepper law firm. Mr. Foster exemplified excellence in his profession during a career which spanned the last half of the 20th century and had a personal commitment to public education. Endowed by the Foster family, the Foster Award has been offered to 19 SPS principals since 2000.
By The Numbers
153 PTAs
booster clubs and school organizations leverage fiscal services from the Alliance for Education to support fundraising for school communities
$1.26M
in school account funds stewarded in the 2019-2020 school year by the Alliance
$3M
raised through the Education Equity Fund to address remote learning needs during the pandemic
10,000
laptops donated to students during Spring 2020
25,000
meals provided to SPS students
153 PTAs
booster clubs and school organizations leverage fiscal services from the Alliance for Education to support fundraising for school communities
$1.26M
in school account funds stewarded in the 2019-2020 school year by the Alliance
The Alliance for Education works with school-based groups like PTAs, booster clubs and more, to help streamline accounting services for their fundraising efforts on behalf of students. By offering fiscal services to support school-related fundraising, the Alliance reduces barriers, allowing school volunteers and staff more time to focus on school programs and fundraising.
Recent praise for our School Fiscal Services:
“You guys have been great! Responsive, willing to meet to discuss our account and our fundraising efforts, proactive in encouraging us to sign up for GiveBIG and helping us navigate that process, generating donor lists for us. I’m so grateful.”
“Having used your services the last 10 years, I can only give you praise. You have always been available for anything I might have needed.”
“I am pleased with the services the Alliance has offered and provided, but more pleased with the warmth and quick response of the staff.”
$3M
raised through the Education Equity Fund to address remote learning needs during the pandemic
10,000
laptops donated to students during Spring 2020
25,000
meals provided to SPS students
When schools closed in March 2020, the Alliance for Education immediately began to support SPS families and students in new and targeted ways. Working in partnership with the district, the Alliance engaged with community partners and donors to help meet SPS families’ most critical needs – childcare, access to food, and resources for learning at home.
Spotlight: Education Equity Fund
The Alliance launched the Education Equity Fund at the start of the pandemic, recognizing that students furthest from educational justice were going to be the most impacted by COVID-19. Launched within weeks of schools closing, the fund connected donors directly to a way to support students and teachers. More than $3 million in cash and in-kind donations were raised to provide students with computers, internet access, food and more, and to support teachers in meeting the demands of remote learning.
The Alliance for Education works with school-based groups like PTAs, booster clubs and more, to help streamline accounting services for their fundraising efforts on behalf of students. By offering fiscal services to support school-related fundraising, the Alliance reduces barriers, allowing school volunteers and staff more time to focus on school programs and fundraising.
Recent praise for our School Fiscal Services:
“You guys have been great! Responsive, willing to meet to discuss our account and our fundraising efforts, proactive in encouraging us to sign up for GiveBIG and helping us navigate that process, generating donor lists for us. I’m so grateful.”
“Having used your services the last 10 years, I can only give you praise. You have always been available for anything I might have needed.”
“I am pleased with the services the Alliance has offered and provided, but more pleased with the warmth and quick response of the staff.”
When schools closed in March 2020, the Alliance for Education immediately began to support SPS families and students in new and targeted ways. Working in partnership with the district, the Alliance engaged with community partners and donors to help meet SPS families’ most critical needs – childcare, access to food, and resources for learning at home.
Spotlight: Education Equity Fund
The Alliance launched the Education Equity Fund at the start of the pandemic, recognizing that students furthest from educational justice were going to be the most impacted by COVID-19. Launched within weeks of schools closing, the fund connected donors directly to a way to support students and teachers. More than $3 million in cash and in-kind donations were raised to provide students with computers, internet access, food and more, and to support teachers in meeting the demands of remote learning.
By The Numbers
153 PTAs
booster clubs and school organizations leverage fiscal services from the Alliance for Education to support fundraising for school communities
$1.26M
in school account funds stewarded in the 2019-2020 school year by the Alliance
$3M
raised through the Education Equity Fund to address remote learning needs during the pandemic
10,000
laptops donated to students during Spring 2020
25,000
meals provided to SPS students