#United States #Miami #Building Hope #charter schools #Impact Grants

Building Hope Announces 2025 Impact Grant Finalists

Building Hope, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing charter school facilities and services, has revealed the 20 finalists for its prestigious 2025 Impact Grants. This announcement highlights the exemplary work of charter schools across the country in fostering community engagement, educational innovation, student empowerment, and leadership.

The 2025 Impact Grants include four distinct award categories, each showcasing five finalists that exemplify how education can significantly transform lives and communities. With a total grant allocation of $160,000, Building Hope will award top winners in each category a generous $20,000, while two runners-up in each category will receive $10,000 each. Since the program's inception, a total of $440,000 has been awarded to 33 charter schools along with $40,000 designated for eight volunteer leaders in the school system.

Categories and Finalists

The finalists are divided into four categories:

S. Joseph Bruno Charter School Leadership Award

• - East Mountain High School, Sandia Park, New Mexico
• - Maya Angelou Public Charter School, Washington, D.C.
• - Sallie B. Howard School of Arts & Science, Wilson, North Carolina
• - SouthTech Schools, Boynton Beach, Florida
• - Yinghua Academy, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Community Engagement Award

• - Austin Achieve High School, Austin, Texas
• - Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, Chattanooga, Tennessee
• - Island Montessori, Wilmington, North Carolina
• - Middleburg Community Charter School, Middleburg, Virginia
• - Suncoast School of Innovative Studies, Sarasota, Florida

Educational Innovation Award

• - Baxter Academy, Portland, Maine
• - Beta Academy, Houston, Texas
• - Le Monde International School, Norman, Oklahoma
• - Malama Honua Public Charter School, Waimanalo, Hawaii
• - Reaching All Minds Academy, Durham, North Carolina

Student Empowerment Award

• - Avalon School, St. Paul, Minnesota
• - Kansas City Girls Preparatory Academy, Kansas City, Missouri
• - Northeast Academy for Aerospace and Advanced Technologies, Elizabeth City, North Carolina
• - Polaris Charter Academy, Chicago, Illinois
• - Technology Leadership High School, Albuquerque, New Mexico

The Selection Process

In the upcoming phase of the grant process, a committee comprising charter education leaders and previous award winners will evaluate these finalists through interviews. From there, three winners in each category will be selected and announced in March.

The winners of the 2025 Impact Grants will be publicly honored at the Building Hope IMPACT Summit held in Miami from May 6-7. The leaders from the winning schools will partake in a unique opportunity to deliver a 10-minute IMPACT talk, further showcasing their initiatives and contributions. At the closing gala of the Summit, Building Hope will distribute the grant amounts of $20,000 for the top winners and $10,000 for the runners-up in each category.

Testimonials from Leaders

Building Hope President and CEO Bill Hansen expressed pride in the finalists, stating, "Every day, charter schools are changing lives through innovation, dedication, and a deep commitment to student success. These 20 finalists are proof of what's possible when educators and communities unite to support their students and families."

Trisha Leitem, the Director of Building Hope Services, also emphasized the inspiring qualities of the applicants: "The passion, resilience, and innovation demonstrated this year are truly remarkable. Their commitment to creating lasting change in students' lives is evident, and we look forward to honoring their efforts."

To learn more about the Impact Awards or to register for the 2025 IMPACT Summit, visit www.buildinghope.org/impact/awards.

About Building Hope

Building Hope is dedicated to advancing educational opportunities through comprehensive support tailored to charter schools. With a history spanning over 21 years, they have facilitated over $1 billion in school facility development, emphasizing the belief that physical structures should never hinder a child's access to quality education. For additional information, explore www.buildinghope.org.