Today we announced that the Walton Family Foundation will join dozens of local and national philanthropists investing in the Great Schools Fund; the $5 million challenge grant is our largest commitment from a national foundation to date. Read more about it in today’s Inquirer.

For too long, many national investors in education reform avoided Philadelphia, but that’s now changing thanks to a shared vision among civic leaders, educators, and families to transform our city’s schools. In the last year, key national education leaders (including the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) have committed over $12 million – coupled with more than $50 million from local philanthropists – to strategically invest in the incubation, startup, expansion and transformation of high-quality schools across Philadelphia.

It’s never been more important to continue the crucial work of expanding the number of high quality schools available to families across our city; attracting investment from national philanthropists helps make that possible. We are grateful to the Walton Family Foundation for their confidence in our efforts and our city. As Mayor Nutter said, “This grant is an investment in the future success of thousands of students.”

To date, the Fund has invested $29 million to give nearly 14,000 additional students a year access to high-quality district, charter, private and turnaround schools. With your continued support, this number will continue to grow. Please help us meet Walton’s challenge today and join our effort to ensure a great school for every child in every neighborhood of Philadelphia.