The Transformative Power of Microgrant Programs: The case for philanthropy to prioritize the enrichment gap

Abstract

Closing the enrichment gap - the disparity in out-of-school learning participation between wealthy children and their low-income peers - is essential to transforming the life outcomes of marginalized youth. Children spend the majority of their waking hours outside of school, and enrichment programs are known to spark a passion for learning that contributes to academic success and personal development (Benson & Scales, 2009). Directto-family education microgrants, which empower families to choose experiences that align with their children's unique interests and needs, offer the most effective way to close this gap.This brief argues that providing funding directly to families is not only a practical solution but a transformative one. It enables families to access highquality learning experiences, supports community-based providers, and lays the groundwork for scalable, sustainable public policies. Successful programs run by Outschool.org, RESCHOOL, and several states demonstrate that philanthropy can drive demand for microgrants and inspire elected officials to establish publicly funded, large-scale initiatives. The enrichment gap is not merely a matter of access; it's a matter of equity, social mobility, and economic prosperity.Successful programs run by Outschool.org, RESCHOOL, and several states demonstrate that philanthropy can drive demand for microgrants and inspire elected officials to establish publicly funded, large-scale initiatives. Both Outschool.org and RESCHOOL ran smaller-scale, privately-funded programs that laid the groundwork for the creation of policies and support for publiclyfunded programs reaching tens of thousands of learners