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Each year, the Wildflower Foundation needs to raise $500,000 from our community of supporters and champions, which adds to the support we receive from foundations and multiple levels of government and allows us to do the work of supporting Wildflower schools, Teacher Leaders, children and families. Every gift we receive plays a critical role in our annual fundraising and makes this network of beautiful, child-centered schools possible.

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We are also working to raise $60 million in growth capital to support our expansion over the next decade to more than 1,000 schools. We will use this funding in several ways:

 

• $40 million will go directly to emerging schools as startup grants, averaging $50,000 for each new school. Making an early investment in new schools is among the most important ways we support their spread. 

 

• $10 million to build up the assets of our Sunlight Loan Fund CDFI, which provides low-interest, unsecured loans to new schools. Grants to build assets serve as the foundation for additional borrowing, enabling us to make $40 million in loans over the next decade. We are also seeking low-interest debt from banks and foundations.

 

• $10 million to bridge the gap to financial sustainability. In five years, annual contributions from network schools will cover the cost of the Foundation's basic operations. In ten years, they will also cover our investments in school support and ongoing improvements. To reach that point, we need growth capital to supplement our annual giving to fund the School Startup Journey incubator; the coaches that support Emerging Teacher Leaders as they create new schools; the tools, templates, technology and events that support the work of open schools; the growth of Wildflower’s charter footprint in new regions and related supports for the rising number of public schools in our network.​

 

We know that families across the country are asking for schools like the ones in the Wildflower Network, and educators are looking for a platform to bring their educational aspirations to life. It's our role to facilitate that, and we can't do it without your support.

 

If you'd like to learn more, we’d love to start a conversation or host you on a school visit. 

 

If you're inspired to nurture the growth of Wildflower Schools today, we hope you'll consider joining our community of donors by donating online or by sending a check to:

 

The Wildflower Foundation

5500 Nicollet Ave #19590

Minneapolis, MN 55419

 

If you wish to donate by wire transfer, through a gift of stock, through your trust or will or as a corporate sponsor of a school, please contact Erica Cantoni at erica.cantoni@wildflowerschools.org.

 

The Wildflower Foundation is a 501c3 tax-exempt organization. Our EIN is 81-2826681. All donations are tax-deductible. No goods or services will be provided in exchange for this contribution.

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