We're funding visionary leaders

Are you eager to launch new, innovative school models that deliver results for Washington's kids?

Explore the Excellent Schools Washington Grant today.

Visionary Leader shaking hands with colleagues

Excellent Schools Washington is committed to expanding access to high-quality school options for students in Washington – particularly for students who have historically been underserved by the traditional system.

We are excited to launch a grant opportunity to support new school models that provide exceptional experiences and advance student success.

What we are looking for

Strategic Leadership

We are looking for mission-driven, entrepreneurial leaders who inspire others to action and demonstrate the capacity to execute on their vision.

Academic Vision

We seek academic models that will lead to game-changing results by combining visionary ideas with solid academic foundational practices.

Community Driven

Leaders build deep family and community connections to inform model design and foster a nurturing school environment.

Financial Sustainability

School models are sustainable on public funding long-term.

Grant Details

What We Offer

Funding: One-year unrestricted grant of $200,000 to support pre-launch efforts

Supports: One-on-one support and access to functional experts

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the Excellent Schools Grant, applicants must be:

A current resident of Washington or be willing to relocate
Planning to launch a new public school model in Fall 2026 or Fall 2027
Aligned with ESWA’s mission

Application Process

Dates Open: May 1-June 13, 2025

The Excellent Schools Grant Application is open May 1, 2025 and will close on June 13, 2025 at 11:59pm PDT. The application will include a written component as well as a brief video interview. Apply here!

Semi-Finalist Interviews: Late July

ESWA will review applications against investment criteria and select applicants advancing to an interview to learn more about them and their school vision. At this time, we may gather additional information from semi-finalists. We will notify all applicants of their status by mid-July.

Finalist Selection: August

We will make finalist decisions using what we learned across the application process including a reference check. Applicants selected for funding will be notified in August.

Grant Awards: September

Funding will be disbursed in the fall.

Applicant Support

Office Hours: We will offer weekly office hours during the application window where applicants can ask questions one on one.

FAQ

Who can apply for this funding opportunity?

Education leaders and entrepreneurs who are seeking to advance education in Washington by launching a new school model in 1-2 years are welcome to apply. If you have questions about your eligibility, please reach out to connect here.

What do you ask about in the application?

Our application includes both written components and a video interview. Our goal is to get to know your leadership background, track record of results, and understand your vision for launching a new school model.

How can funding be used?

The Excellent Schools Grant is unrestricted and can be used to support operating expenses.

What can I do if I have questions about the application?

We encourage you to review our FAQs and schedule time to connect with us for office hours. Submit your information here to receive the scheduling link.

I submitted my application and have a relevant update to share. Who can I send it to?

Please email us at info@excellentschoolswa.org if you have any significant changes to your application or run into technical issues.

What do I do if I’m not ready to apply?

We encourage you to join our email list, and we can alert you when new funding opportunities are open. Join our email list by submitting your information here.

When will I hear back about my application?

We hope to notify all applicants about their status by mid-July.

Excellent Schools Washington (ESWA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that every student has access to innovative, student-centered education options that drive academic success and long-term opportunities. By fostering a diverse ecosystem of high-quality public education choices, we can empower families and communities to find the best fit for their children’s educational needs.