DC Public Education Fund: Fueling Innovation and Transforming Urban Education
The DC Public Education Fund (DC Ed Fund) stands as a pivotal force in the landscape of Washington D.C.'s public school system (DCPS). As a registered 501(c)3 organization, the DC Ed Fund operates by connecting philanthropic resources with the most ambitious and innovative ideas within DCPS. All donations made to the fund are tax-deductible, further incentivizing contributions to the cause of improving education in the nation's capital.
A Catalyst for Progress
For nearly two decades, the DC Ed Fund's sustained leadership, strategic investments, and cultivation of community trust have played a transformative role in shaping DC into a national model for urban education. The organization's efforts have contributed significantly to the historic academic progress witnessed in the city's schools. Notably, student proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA) has reached its highest level ever, and math scores have demonstrated a strong recovery following the pandemic.
Investing in Educators
The DC Ed Fund recognizes the critical role that teachers play in student success. Teachers in DC now earn an average of $110,000 annually, among the highest in the country.
Celebrating Educators at Standing Ovation
Every January, the DC Ed Fund hosts Standing Ovation at the historic Andrew Mellon Auditorium to celebrate and cheer for DC’s incredible public school educators. Standing Ovation aims to bring together the community to honor the dedication and hard work of teachers, creating a memorable night of recognition. Organizations are invited to participate and support this event.
Honoring Dedicated Service
The DC Ed Fund also acknowledges the contributions of its board members. Debbi Lockhart Jarvis was recognized for her dedicated service on the DC Ed Fund board. For over a decade, Debbi has been a trusted leader, generous partner, and passionate advocate for DC students.
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Recognizing Excellence: Christopher Alberts, 2026 DC Teacher of the Year
The DC Ed Fund proudly celebrates outstanding educators like Christopher Alberts, who was named the 2026 DC Teacher of the Year by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). Mr. Alberts serves as the Director of Performing Arts at School Without Walls High School, where he empowers students to discover their voices and embrace the joy of learning through music and culture. This recognition highlights his visionary leadership and impact in shaping innovation across the region.
Financial Accountability and Transparency
The DC Ed Fund operates with a commitment to financial accountability and transparency. As an exempt organization, it is required to file Form 990 with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Fund files full Form 990 documents wherever possible. These filings provide detailed information about the organization's finances, including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. Some smaller organizations may file Form 990-EZ, a simplified version of Form 990. Additionally, Form 990PF filings are also included.
The IRS provides raw filing data from these forms, including organization names, addresses, and other details. ProPublica also offers access to Form 990 documents, including XML files containing detailed information such as officers, tax schedules, and other data in machine-readable format. This data is typically available for electronically filed documents. Audits may also be conducted to ensure financial compliance and transparency.
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