Too often, funding decisions are made far from the classrooms, families, and communities most affected by them. EdQuity Boston is building something different — a more participatory, community-informed approach to investing in Boston Public Schools.
EdQuity Boston is a community-informed funding initiative created by the Boston Education Fund (BEDF) to help rethink how philanthropic dollars move through Boston Public Schools. At its core, EdQuity is rooted in a simple belief: The people closest to the work should help shape where resources go.
Students. Families. Educators. School leaders. Community members. All of us.
The people living the experience every day already carry wisdom about what schools need to thrive. EdQuity Boston creates structures that honor that expertise instead of working around it.
Through participatory decision-making, community engagement, and intentional investment, we are working to build a funding model that is more transparent, more equitable, and more reflective of the communities it serves.
This is about shared responsibility, trust, and reimagining what educational philanthropy can look like in Boston.
And this is not a departure from BEDF’s history… It is a natural evolution of it.
Engaged Community Voices
Worked alongside students, families, educators, school leaders, and community partners to help shape a more participatory approach to educational investment.
Shared Decision-Making Structures
Explored what it looks like to move beyond traditional top-down philanthropy and toward community-informed funding practices rooted in transparency and trust.
Built Early Momentum
Raised more than $100,000 during our inaugural EdQuity campaign to begin seeding this work and demonstrate what is possible when communities rally behind equity-centered investment.
Strengthened Strategic Partnerships
Collaborated with district leadership, school communities, and grassroots organizers to better understand the opportunities and challenges schools are navigating in real time.
Reimagined BEDF’s Role
Continued evolving from solely a fiscal sponsor into a strategic fundraising and equity partner working to help schools access resources in more intentional and impactful ways.
Your voice matters in this process.
We are inviting Boston Public Schools to apply for the inaugural EdQuity Boston Pilot, a multi-year opportunity designed to support schools in strengthening community voice, shared decision-making, and locally driven solutions. Selected schools may receive up to $50,000 in funding, along with capacity-building support, opportunities for reflection and learning, and participation in a cohort committed to advancing equity, belonging, and opportunity.
This pilot is not about having all the answers. It is about creating the conditions for students, families, educators, and community members to help shape what comes next. We are not looking for perfect proposals. We are looking for schools that are curious, committed, and willing to learn alongside us.
If your school believes that those closest to the work should help shape where resources go, we invite you to join us.
EdQuity Boston is about building trust, shifting power, and investing in the brilliance that already exists inside our school communities.
By supporting EdQuity Boston, you are helping BEDF:
This work is still growing.
And we want people to grow with us.
Your voice matters in this process.
Months of listening
Raised to support the first funding cycle
Helping shape the work
June 15, 2026, marks the start of EdQuity Boston’s first official funding-cycle pilot.
Sign up for updates, funding announcements, community opportunities, and ways to stay connected as this work continues to grow.
Because communities deserve more than a seat at the table.
They deserve meaningful power in shaping the future of our schools.