EAG History: Raising the Profile of Philanthropy in Education
What began as an informal group of funders interested in supporting education issues, organizations and needs in Florida in 2008 grew to become Florida Philanthropic Network's Education Affinity Group (EAG), a dedicated space for Florida's education funders. From best practices to taking positions, EAG provides space for funders to learn from each other, work together to improve the state's education outcomes and be a voice for Florida philanthropy on key education policy issues.
The President of The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida Nina Waters was the first chair of the group. It was important for funders to connect statewide, Waters said, because most decisions are made in Tallahassee. Harnessing the group’s collective voice allows members to be informed and aware of education policy at the state level, in addition to their local efforts, she added.
2008 |
THE BEGINNING Education funders start meeting to learn from each other led by Nina Waters from The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. |
Winter 2009 |
COMMENCEMENT First face-to-face meeting to decide whether the education funders wanted to formalize a structure. The result is the formation of the Education Affinity Group. |
Spring 2010 |
RAISING THE PROFILE OF PHILANTHROPY IN EDUCATION Discussions begin about how education funders can begin working together to deepen learning within the education funding community and raise the profile of the philanthropy in education. |
Summer 2010 |
FUNDING COLLABORATION Initial investment made in EAG to boost capacity and support a common education agenda for Florida’s philanthropic community. |
Fall 2010 |
INTRODUCTORY BRIEFS EAG issues introductory briefs of philanthropic involvement in education. Topics covered: resources, class size, STEM, teacher accountability and a general overview of philanthropy and education. Education Issue Brief: Accelerating STEM Education |
Summer 2011 |
WHAT'S NEXT? Conversations and planning begins for the next stage of EAG work. |
Spring 2012 |
CONTINUED GROWTH Additional grant investments pursued and realized. |
Summer 2012 |
EDUCATION REFORM EAG funders convene to discuss philanthropy’s role in education reform. Particular attention is placed on Common Core. |
Fall 2012 |
PONDERING POLICY Interviews with members of EAG are conducted to identify common areas of connection and interest in working in advocacy. The results showed increasing interest in working on policy issues, particularly as a group. |
Spring 2013 |
CANDID CONVERSATIONS FPN conducts a series of candid conversations with education thought leaders in order to better inform the EAG decision-making process on policy work. The conversations were held in May and June 2013 with representatives from the early childhood, K-12, and postsecondary areas. |
Fall 2013 |
FOCUSING ON THE ISSUES EAG has a facilitated discussion on possible policy focus areas and decides its focus should be: to create a post-secondary/college-going and career culture of success. FPN’s Board of Directors supports EAG position statement in favor of Common Core adoption in Florida—the first time the board took a position on an issue area outside of philanthropic issues. |
Winter 2013 |
GUIDING STATEMENT EAG official adopts guiding statement: The EAG will support a culture of high expectations for all students, in and out of school, from early childhood to postsecondary education, leading to career success The field of possible education issues tied to the earlier identified focus area is narrowed to five and research is done to explore the case for EAG involvement. Education and support around Common Core State Standards was already underway.
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Spring 2014 |
FLORIDA STATE STANDARDS Florida Board of Education adopts Florida State Standards. |
Summer 2014 |
OUR PRIORITIES EAG decides on three positions:
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January 2015 |
OUR POSITION Draft EAG position paper created and tested with constituents. |
Spring 2015 |
EAG hosts Florida State Standards convening with funders only. |
Summer 2015 |
TNTP AND STANDARDS IMPLEMENTATION TNTP presents Standards Implementation Webinar. Funding is received to support EAG policy efforts in higher education attainment. |
Fall 2015 |
STATEWIDE ATTAINMENT GOAL EAG convening focused on higher education attainment efforts; standards implementation and awareness; personalized learning; and future plans. EAG funders create a formal partnership to work on its Goal #1: Statewide goal of 60% of working-age Floridians having post-secondary degree or certification by 2025. First EAG position paper is released. Letters are sent by EAG members to legislators, media, governor, etc. |
Winter 2015 |
COALITION BUILDING Presentations on coalition building tied to higher education attainment work. |
2016 |
FPN works on Florida Partnership for Attainment Working Group Strategic Plan development and takes a deeper dive on standards implementation training with members. |
Fall 2016 |
Funding is received to support next phase of funder engagement in standards implementation. |
October 2017 |
FUNDERS' TOOLKIT FPN launches ENGAGE: A Funders' Guide to Understanding Florida Standards Implementation for FPN members funding education. |