What is the public promise of education in a vibrant and inclusive multiracial democracy? In an era when democratic processes are routinely tested, defended and changed, this is the central question that education philanthropy is poised to engage at the Grantmakers for Education 2024 Annual Conference.
This is a landmark year, with a national election in the U.S. and milestone anniversaries of historic moments and movements: passage of the Indian Citizenship Act, the Brown v. Board of Education decision, the Stonewall Riots, and more recently, the launch of the internet, global social platforms and artificial intelligence. These and other pivotal events demonstrate that transformational change comes from the efforts of individuals and collectives to reconcile tensions, affirm truths, exchange ideas and act. Education philanthropy has long been active in this process and plays a role in setting expectations and resourcing imaginations and efforts to impact the transformation of education.
At this year’s conference, attendees will be inspired to sharpen our thinking about teaching, learning, civic participation and equity in the democratic ideal and challenged to expand our ideas about how individual grantmakers and philanthropic organizations show up. We will zoom in on concrete actions and zoom out to ideas and a range of frameworks that grantmakers may need to ensure all learners and leaders may participate fully in their classrooms and communities, with deep and broad opportunities for achievement, mobility, fulfillment and human flourishing.
Early bird registration closes August 5.