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Innovative Microlending Program for Educators

In a landmark initiative to reshape the education landscape, Building Hope has teamed up with the Stand Together Trust to launch a pioneering microlending program. This initiative aims to provide educators with the capital necessary to establish their own innovative microschools.

The newly introduced Microschool Loan Program, which is spearheaded by Building Hope, reflects a growing recognition of the need for diverse educational models that cater to the unique needs of students and communities. With an initial funding of $675,000 provided by philanthropic support from Stand Together Trust and the Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, the program is set to have a significant impact on aspiring school founders across the nation.

What Are Microschools?

Microschools are typically small, personalized educational institutions that cater to up to 100 students. Their emerging popularity in recent years reflects a nationwide trend toward more individualized learning experiences. According to the National Microschooling Center, microschools now serve approximately one million students in the U.S., illustrating their growing acceptance and efficacy in the educational sphere.

“While microlending has played a pivotal role in revitalizing small businesses across America, education has often lagged behind in accessing this kind of flexible, early-stage capital,” stated Bill Hansen, the CEO of Building Hope and former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education. He emphasizes the necessity of creating a financial pathway for educators to establish schools that meet the unique needs of local families.

Loan Program Details

The Microschool Loan Program is crafted to provide prospective school founders, many of whom are educators or community leaders, access to funding ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. These loans are designed to cover critical start-up expenses, including curriculum development, licensing, facility costs, staffing needs, and marketing efforts.

To qualify for the program, applicants must demonstrate sound business practices and operational standards akin to those expected of traditional small business owners. This approach not only enhances the sustainability of these educational ventures but also promotes professionalism within the sector.

Raphael Gang, Director of Education at Stand Together Trust, highlighted, “By ensuring the availability of accessible and flexible capital, we’re not merely assisting founders in opening schools—we’re establishing a solid financial foundation for the educational sector to grow responsibly and effectively.”

The program is designed to be inclusive, welcoming a variety of school types including learning centers, hybrid models, and cooperative schools. Eligible schools must either be operational or planning to launch in the fall of 2025. They should aim to serve between 10 to 100 students during the 2025-26 academic year and must show proof of business registration, enrollment, liability insurance, and a commercial lease agreement.

Growing Interest in Wonder

The response from prospective school founders has been overwhelmingly positive, with over 200 educators expressing their intentions to apply for funding through this program. The application process for those interested in obtaining a Microschool Loan is set to open on July 7, 2025, and submissions will be reviewed as they are received, ensuring a streamlined and efficient process.

About Building Hope

Building Hope has been at the forefront of enhancing educational facilities for over two decades. As a national nonprofit, it specializes in financing and developing charter school facilities. To date, Building Hope has facilitated more than $2 billion toward the creation of accessible school facilities, continually advocating that infrastructure should never pose a barrier to a child's access to quality education. More information can be found on their website at www.buildinghope.org.

About Stand Together Trust

Stand Together Trust focuses on fostering bottom-up solutions to social challenges by empowering individuals through various institutions, including education. Its commitment to addressing the root causes of significant national issues highlights its vital role in enhancing economic opportunities and educational equity. For further details, please visit standtogethertrust.org.

Through the cooperation of Building Hope and Stand Together Trust, the Microschool Loan Program represents a significant step forward in educational reform. By empowering educators with the necessary resources to innovate and lead in their communities, this initiative promises to cultivate a more vibrant, diverse, and responsive education system in the years to come.