Accelerating Education Innovation and Opportunity for Every Learner

VELA releases new research report

Open for Business:
The Economics of Everyday Entrepreneurs in Unconventional Education

Curious about how unconventional learning environments operate? Our latest research explores the diverse business models that education entrepreneurs are using to launch and sustain their programs.

Learn more

VELA Education Fund supports everyday entrepreneurs who are boldly reimagining education.

 

We support everyday entrepreneurs.

Investing in people who are building custom solutions to meet children’s needs.

 

We accelerate adoption.

Increasing the reach of models that redefine how, when, and where learning takes place.

 

We increase awareness.

Making it easier for all families to access options that best reflect their values.

 

 

Get Inspired: Stories of Our Grant Recipients

codespeak-students

Students Kickstart Web Design and Graphic Design Careers with CodeSpeak Labs

At Dripping Springs Montessori, Healthy Teachers Lead to Healthy Children

Students at Camp

Offering Another Way for Educators

ASL Students

Giving All Students the Opportunity to Flourish

Pathways to Success

Strike School Hits A Home Run

Homeschooling in Georgia Has Come A Long Way

Connection, Creativity, and Inspiration at Madrona Folk School

Making Montessori Accessible in Minnesota

Parent-led Academics Thrive in Albuquerque

Kids Can Stretch at Schelastic Academy

Self-taught Computer Programmer Builds Map to Help Homeschooling Families

Supporting Black Homeschooling Families in Alabama

Discovery is Creating Independent Learners

Student Success Comes with Choice

Learning and Growing with Colossal Academy

Event Recap: Why Teachers Leave the Classroom to Launch Nontraditional Education Programs

Igniting A Passion for Learning

Homeschool PJ Time: A Book Written by Homeschoolers for Homeschoolers

Threefold Schoolhouse Fosters Young Entrepreneurs

Memphis Mom Opens Microschool for Montessori-style Learning

New VELA Report Finds Families’ Attracted to Nontraditional Education Programs by Distinct, Shared Values

Homeschooling from Coast to Coast

‘Changing the Way We Educate Boys’

Homeschool Students Prepare to Learn in London

On Five Acres, Students Have Space – and Freedom – to Learn

Sharing VELA’s Story at SXSW EDU

Homeschooling, Together

Nontraditional Education and Children with Disabilities

Student-led Invention Program Expands to Reach Nontraditional Learning Environments

Homeschooled Student Pays It Forward

Makerspace Creates Hands-on Opportunities for Students, Families

Free Forest School Introduces More Families to Nature-Based Learning

Parent-Created Resource Helps Families Tackle Anti-Bias

VELA’s Trust-based Approach to Philanthropy Helps Grantees Grow

One Question Fueled A Network of Nature-based Homeschool Meetups

Students Learn through Robotics Thanks to Youth Technology Corps

VELA President Meredith Olson Joins Wharton Business Daily to Discuss Entrepreneurship in Education

By Publishing Magazines, Students Learn New Skills, Languages

Social Group Enhances Homeschool Experience for South Carolina Students

Texas Homeschool Organization Fills Enrichment & Athletic Gaps

Supporting Homeschooling Families from U.S. Virgin Islands

Middle School Students Thrive in Mobile Microschool

Land-Based Learning Keeps Native Traditions Alive

Texas Microschool Extends Programming to Homeschoolers

On Chicago’s West Side, Making Montessori More Accessible

Families Continue Shift to Homeschooling in Wake of Pandemic

Learning Happens Everywhere, Including in London!

Anti-Bullying Group Gives Voice to Black Youth

Online Community Connects Black Families, Expands Homeschooling

Amid Pandemic Challenges, Leaders of Color Deliver Solutions for Math Students

Nature School Offers Forest Classrooms to Young Students

Students with Autism Thrive with Twiddle Bugs

Untigering as a Journey to Peaceful Parenting

STEM Classes Bridge Path to Tech Careers

Impact Wyoming Builds Connections to Retain Young People

Cognitive ToyBox Helps Parents, Teachers Individualize Instruction

Creating My Own Educational Path

The Resilience of Hybrid Homeschools

All Aboard Kirby Family Farm, An Engine for Educational Opportunity

Raising Smart Girls Fosters Early Love of STEM

Former High School Teacher Empowers Homeschool Families through Resources and Community

A Bridge to the Future

Hands-On Learning Sparks Students’ Connection with History, Science, Art

After the School Day Ends, Teacher Supports Families’ Online Learning Challenges

Experts Weigh in: Hybrid Homeschooling is an Increasingly Popular Education Model for Families

Experts Weigh in: Will Learning Pods Outlast the Pandemic?

Wise Young Builders and the Joy of Math

Nature-based Education Brings Learning to Life

Transcend: What We’re Learning from Out-of-System Learning Models

Mentors Guide Families New to the Homeschooling Journey

Teaching Academics through Action Sports

The Homeschool Resource Roadmap Helps Families Navigate Curricular Options

VELA Grantees Partner to Provide Children with Hands-On Learning Opportunities

Q & A with Meredith Olson, President of VELA

RELEASE: Meredith Olson Appointed President of VELA Education Fund

First Public-Private Partnership Microschool in the Country Flourishes in North Las Vegas

Parent, Teacher, Coach, Organizer: Domari Dickinson’s Many Roles

Coronavirus Pandemic Accelerates Innovation for Pair of Atlanta Educators

Baltimore Program Utilizes Dirt Bike Culture to Teach STEM-Related Skills

DELTIC Prep Creates Community, Opportunities for Homeschool Families

In Charlottesville, International Neighbors Helps Make Sure All Students Receive the Support They Need

How Engaged Detroit is Helping Students and Families #MeetTheMoment

RELEASE: New Microschooling Option for Nevada Families Selected in Education Fund’s Inaugural Round

RELEASE: New VELA Education Fund Launches with $1M Meet the Moment Grant Program

Colearning Communities in the Cloud

Pandemic Leads to Increased Interest in Microschools

codespeak-students

Students Kickstart Web Design and Graphic Design Careers with CodeSpeak Labs

At Dripping Springs Montessori, Healthy Teachers Lead to Healthy Children

Students at Camp

Offering Another Way for Educators

ASL Students

Giving All Students the Opportunity to Flourish

Pathways to Success

Strike School Hits A Home Run

Homeschooling in Georgia Has Come A Long Way

Connection, Creativity, and Inspiration at Madrona Folk School

Making Montessori Accessible in Minnesota

Parent-led Academics Thrive in Albuquerque

Kids Can Stretch at Schelastic Academy

Self-taught Computer Programmer Builds Map to Help Homeschooling Families

Supporting Black Homeschooling Families in Alabama

Discovery is Creating Independent Learners

Student Success Comes with Choice

Learning and Growing with Colossal Academy

Event Recap: Why Teachers Leave the Classroom to Launch Nontraditional Education Programs

Igniting A Passion for Learning

Homeschool PJ Time: A Book Written by Homeschoolers for Homeschoolers

Threefold Schoolhouse Fosters Young Entrepreneurs

Memphis Mom Opens Microschool for Montessori-style Learning

New VELA Report Finds Families’ Attracted to Nontraditional Education Programs by Distinct, Shared Values

Homeschooling from Coast to Coast

‘Changing the Way We Educate Boys’

Homeschool Students Prepare to Learn in London

On Five Acres, Students Have Space – and Freedom – to Learn

Sharing VELA’s Story at SXSW EDU

Homeschooling, Together

Nontraditional Education and Children with Disabilities

Student-led Invention Program Expands to Reach Nontraditional Learning Environments

Homeschooled Student Pays It Forward

Makerspace Creates Hands-on Opportunities for Students, Families

Free Forest School Introduces More Families to Nature-Based Learning

Parent-Created Resource Helps Families Tackle Anti-Bias

VELA’s Trust-based Approach to Philanthropy Helps Grantees Grow

One Question Fueled A Network of Nature-based Homeschool Meetups

Students Learn through Robotics Thanks to Youth Technology Corps

VELA President Meredith Olson Joins Wharton Business Daily to Discuss Entrepreneurship in Education

By Publishing Magazines, Students Learn New Skills, Languages

Social Group Enhances Homeschool Experience for South Carolina Students

Texas Homeschool Organization Fills Enrichment & Athletic Gaps

Supporting Homeschooling Families from U.S. Virgin Islands

Middle School Students Thrive in Mobile Microschool

Land-Based Learning Keeps Native Traditions Alive

Texas Microschool Extends Programming to Homeschoolers

On Chicago’s West Side, Making Montessori More Accessible

Families Continue Shift to Homeschooling in Wake of Pandemic

Learning Happens Everywhere, Including in London!

Anti-Bullying Group Gives Voice to Black Youth

Online Community Connects Black Families, Expands Homeschooling

Amid Pandemic Challenges, Leaders of Color Deliver Solutions for Math Students

Nature School Offers Forest Classrooms to Young Students

Students with Autism Thrive with Twiddle Bugs

Untigering as a Journey to Peaceful Parenting

STEM Classes Bridge Path to Tech Careers

Impact Wyoming Builds Connections to Retain Young People

Cognitive ToyBox Helps Parents, Teachers Individualize Instruction

Creating My Own Educational Path

The Resilience of Hybrid Homeschools

All Aboard Kirby Family Farm, An Engine for Educational Opportunity

Raising Smart Girls Fosters Early Love of STEM

Former High School Teacher Empowers Homeschool Families through Resources and Community

A Bridge to the Future

Hands-On Learning Sparks Students’ Connection with History, Science, Art

After the School Day Ends, Teacher Supports Families’ Online Learning Challenges

Experts Weigh in: Hybrid Homeschooling is an Increasingly Popular Education Model for Families

Experts Weigh in: Will Learning Pods Outlast the Pandemic?

Wise Young Builders and the Joy of Math

Nature-based Education Brings Learning to Life

Transcend: What We’re Learning from Out-of-System Learning Models

Mentors Guide Families New to the Homeschooling Journey

Teaching Academics through Action Sports

The Homeschool Resource Roadmap Helps Families Navigate Curricular Options

VELA Grantees Partner to Provide Children with Hands-On Learning Opportunities

Q & A with Meredith Olson, President of VELA

RELEASE: Meredith Olson Appointed President of VELA Education Fund

First Public-Private Partnership Microschool in the Country Flourishes in North Las Vegas

Parent, Teacher, Coach, Organizer: Domari Dickinson’s Many Roles

Coronavirus Pandemic Accelerates Innovation for Pair of Atlanta Educators

Baltimore Program Utilizes Dirt Bike Culture to Teach STEM-Related Skills

DELTIC Prep Creates Community, Opportunities for Homeschool Families

In Charlottesville, International Neighbors Helps Make Sure All Students Receive the Support They Need

How Engaged Detroit is Helping Students and Families #MeetTheMoment

RELEASE: New Microschooling Option for Nevada Families Selected in Education Fund’s Inaugural Round

RELEASE: New VELA Education Fund Launches with $1M Meet the Moment Grant Program

Colearning Communities in the Cloud

Pandemic Leads to Increased Interest in Microschools