Education
Capable and productive individuals provide better social and economic outcomes for themselves and the larger community. A high-quality education is critical for all children to reach their full potential. The Foundation recognizes that for students to reach their full potential, they must develop strong social-emotional skills and cognitive abilities.

The Foundation is particularly interested in early childhood education and arts education, as both provide individuals with strong social-emotional and cognitive development.

Babies are born learning. Because of the important brain development occurring in the first five years of life, but particularly in the first three years, the Herzfeld Foundation focuses on policy and programs supporting quality early childhood education. Research tells us that the early years are a critical time to prepare children for school readiness and success in life. The foundation recognizes that families play a key role in supporting a child’s school readiness and ongoing success.The Foundation also supports programs that enrich learning for kindergarten through twelfth-grade students. Within this strategy, the Foundation’s mission is to increase student achievement in Milwaukee by supporting community-based organizations as they partner with schools. The Foundation rarely funds schools directly. These partnerships include programs that target effective leadership, programs with a rigorous curriculum, and programs targeting parent involvement. Arts education is one example of educational collaboration between schools and community organizations.

Grant Considerations: In Early Childhood Education, the Foundation is interested in programs that serve young children, particularly from birth to three. The Foundation is interested in programs that strive for quality and recognize the importance of engaging parents.

Funding is provided to non-profit organizations that engage schools as partners with programs to increase student achievement.

In all education programs, the Foundation supports programs that work to provide high-quality options for the families they serve.

Featured Program

2009 Grants (PDF)

2008 Grants (PDF)