The Walton Family Foundation, already the largest single donor to Teach For America, has committed an additional $20 million to recruit, train, and place an additional 4,000 corps members.
The new investment brings its financial support of TFA to about $95 million in all.
The money will support nine regions: Denver; Detroit; Indianapolis; Los Angeles; Memphis, Tenn; Milwaukee; Newark, N.J.; New Orleans; and the District of Columbia. It’s the first time the foundation has directly supported TFA’s efforts in Detroit, Indianapolis, and Memphis.
Walton is among a number of foundations that have stepped up their giving to advocacy organizations of late, and while TFA is not primarily focused on advocacy work, the lightening-rod organization is a powerhouse on Capitol Hill and with teacher-quality policy in general.
(Education Week receives Walton funding for coverage of parent empowerment. The newspaper maintains sole editorial control over articles underwritten by the foundation.)