By Alexis Gustin
Today, the U.S. Senate is expected to confirm Linda McMahon, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Education Secretary. Together, the two have signaled their intent to dismantle the department, which has the third-largest discretionary budget in the federal government.
Understandably, this has sent shockwaves through the entire education system.
While the logistics, timeline, and political feasibility of this move remain unclear, one thing is certain: education funding is poised to become a more localized responsibility. And with that shift comes an opportunity—one where education foundations can take a leading role.
For decades, the U.S. Department of Education has played a crucial role in funding public schools, allocating billions in aid for Title I schools, special education programs, and other essential student services. And while the threat to shutter the department is not new (beginning under Ronald Reagan in 1980), this is the first substantive threat in 40+ years.
While some of these funding streams, like Title I and special education, are secured by Congressional mandates, others could face uncertainty. Each K-12 public school student in the U.S. receives an average of more than $2,500 in federal funding, a significant piece of their overall budget.
If those funds are restructured or reduced, communities will need to look inward to sustain educational standards.
A Moment of Challenge—or a Call to Action?
Rather than viewing this as a crisis, education foundations should see it as an opportunity to take a leadership role, rally their communities, and drive local investment in local schools. Education foundations have long been the quiet champions of public education, filling critical gaps in funding and enriching the student experience.
Now, their role has never been more vital.
Everywhere you look, education foundations are assessing and addressing the unique challenges of their communities. Looking locally in the Commonwealth:
Educate Fairfax recently invested $180,273 into 107 classroom innovation grants across 100 Fairfax County Public Schools, including 24 Title 1 Schools. This unprecedented investment will enrich the learning experience of more than 36,000 students.
Loudoun Education Foundation has doubled the size of its Fueled program over the last few years, currently curating, packing and delivering more than 2,000 weekend meal bags per week and stocking nearly two dozen school pantries with food, snacks and hygiene products to ensure students can focus on learning.
Fauquier Education Foundation is supporting early childhood literacy for at-risk pre-K students with its My First Book Club. Students receive a new book each month for classroom and home reading, along with a small bookshelf to build their first personal library. For many children, these are the first new books they have ever owned.
Winchester Education Foundation is helping offset the cost of living for educators by investing directly through its “Come Back to Teach” grants. Last year’s teacher honorees received an average of $4,500 from the foundation.
These examples are proof that when foundations identify unique needs, and communities invest in their schools, that students, families and educators thrive.
If federal funding changes, it is not the end of public education as we know it—it is an inflection point for communities to rally around their schools in new and meaningful ways. Education foundations should take a leading role in these conversations.
Building Momentum for Local Investment
Here are several key steps that education foundations can take to prepare for whatever happens next. The underlying action for each step is telling a story the resonates:
Engage the Community Early – Now is the time to educate parents, businesses, and civic leaders on the value of investing in local education. Foundations should proactively communicate the potential funding challenges and the opportunities for community-driven solutions.
Expand Corporate and Philanthropic Partnerships – Businesses benefit directly from a well-educated workforce. Strengthening relationships with corporate sponsors and local philanthropists can create sustainable funding models.
Strengthen Grassroots Fundraising Efforts – Small-dollar donors can make a significant impact when mobilized effectively. Leveraging peer-to-peer fundraising, social media campaigns, and donor-matching opportunities can increase community engagement.
Advocate for State and Local Policy Support – While federal funding may be in flux, state and local governments remain key players. Education foundations should build relationships with policymakers to explore new funding mechanisms at the state and jurisdictional levels.
Education Foundations as the Messengers for Public Education
The potential dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education will undoubtedly bring change, but change does not have to mean instability.
Education foundations are uniquely positioned to turn this moment into a rallying cry for communities to invest in the future of their schools. Leveraging natural relationships with the schools, community and philanthropic partners will be critical to success.
If federal funding shifts, let’s ensure that local commitment grows stronger. The future of public education will be shaped by those who step forward and tell the right story—not those who wait on the sidelines.
At POUNCE Solutions, we are proud to support education foundations as they navigate dynamic environments, providing strategic guidance to strengthen community engagement and fundraising.
If your foundation is looking to build momentum in response to evolving opportunities, we’d love to help you craft a plan and execute it toward long-term success!