How Wildflower's Seed Fund Helps Educators Sprout New Schools

At Wildflower, we believe teacher created and led schools sprout with vision and passion and create beautiful, child-centered learning environments. The Wildflower Seed Fund helps remove early financial barriers, providing grants to new Wildflower-affiliated schools as they take critical first steps— signing a lease, beginning renovations on classrooms, completing licensing applications, or securing essential materials. Seed Fund grants also support schools' eligibility for low interest loans from the Sunlight Loan Fund CDFI, which can provide a much greater share of capital for school startup costs. 

The Seed Fund is broadly accessible to independent and charter school founders who are moving toward opening.

With a $7 million fundraising goal and $1 million already secured, the Seed Fund continues to grow. So far, over $360,000 has been granted, with an average award of $19,000. Led by Wildflower Partner Daniela Vasan, this initiative offers donors the flexibility to support Montessori access nationally or in their local communities.  

At Wildflower, we embrace the idea of sufficiency—providing just enough at the right time to help educators take the next key step. As more schools take root, the Seed Fund will continue to support the earliest stages of educator-led school creation, expanding access to Montessori education across the country. Those interested in contributing—either regionally or nationally—can learn more at our Grants for Schools page.