Why I Support EdChoice
In our 25 years working to promote educational freedom, EdChoice and our predecessor, the Friedman Foundation, have been fortunate enough to have had the financial support of thousands of individuals and institutions. We consider every donor a partner. We share in the good times and the not-so-good times with our partners. We know we would not be able to do the work we do without financial support and encouragement from so many people.
As part of our 25th anniversary celebration, we honor and thank all of our donors. We reached out to some of our supporters and asked them to share their thoughts on why they continue to support EdChoice and our work. Here is what a few of them said. One asked to remain anonymous, and we respect their wishes as part of our ongoing commitment to donor privacy.
Dan Peters
Lovett and Ruth Peters Foundation
Donors since 1996
Why did the Peters Foundation start supporting Friedman/EdChoice?
“My Dad, Lovett “Pete” Peters, knew Milton & Rose Friedman well and thought the world of them When the Friedmans created their foundation and asked Gordon St.Angelo to run it, we were delighted and worked on several projects together.”
Why do you continue to support the choice movement, and what value do you think EdChoice brings to the movement?
“EdChoice has been a pathfinder in the school choice movement. It’s an extraordinary talent spotter and has worked with numerous reformers who are state and national leaders in K-12 education policy.”
What are the biggest opportunities for groups like EdChoice in making real change in K-12 education going forward? How can EdChoice make a difference?
“I’m reminded of the phrase, ’If you seek his monument, look around.’ Just look at this year, arguably the greatest year for school choice expansion in history—and the path is only accelerating. EdChoice is a growth stock. Buy it.”
Lori Armistead
Walton Family Foundation
Donors since 1996
Why did the Walton Foundation start supporting Friedman/EdChoice?
“EdChoice has been a longstanding partner of the Walton Family Foundation for more than 20 years because of our shared vision to increase access to high-quality education for all children, especially those families most in need, so that opportunity and a self-determined life is in reach for every child.”
Why do you continue to support the choice movement, and what value do you think EdChoice brings to the movement?
“Access to a high quality, individualized education is a precursor to a meaningful, self-determined life. No child should be denied access to upward mobility simply because she is zoned to a school that does not fit her needs or interests. EdChoice plays an important role forging new partnerships and coalitions across political, demographic and geographic lines to ensure that this vision is meaningfully embraced and embedded within a vibrant array of our nation’s communities. EdChoice also provides objective research and public policy ideation that is essential to increasing support and expanding options to students throughout the country.”
What are your biggest concerns for K12 education that make you stay involved in the reform space? What are the biggest opportunities for groups like EdChoice in making real change in K-12 education?
“We must confront the sobering fact that, nationally, our K-12 system tolerated a significant opportunity gap long before the global pandemic, and these inequities have only been exacerbated by the widespread school disruptions associated with COVID-19. Now more than ever, we must do more to foster the ingenuity that lives within communities to drive educational change across the country. EdChoice and its national network of advocates, scholars, and practitioners are uniquely positioned to transcend singular policy approaches or school models to help build toward dynamic, individualized opportunities for kids.”
Larry Blades
Donor since 2000
Why did you start supporting Friedman/EdChoice?
“I support EdChoice because I was a product of choice myself. My parents, wanting the best schools possible for me, managed to move from where the schools were subpar and unchallenging to a place where they knew the schools were outstanding. Far too many parents of underprivileged kids can’t do that.”
Why do you continue to support the choice movement, and what value do you think EdChoice brings to the movement?
“Nobody should be trapped in a dysfunctional or failing school and thus likely consigned to a lifetime of disadvantage or even desperation. Good education matters. In the long-run, it may well be what really matters.”
Anonymous
Donors since 2000
Why did you start supporting Friedman/EdChoice?
“For many years I have been a true believer that school choice is the last best hope for preserving our republic primarily because choice greatly benefits underserved children.
“At approximately the same time that I learned of the existence of the Milton and Rose Friedman Foundation, I donated 10k to the foundation. Years later it was gratifying to learn that my contribution could not have come at a more opportune time because the organization was unsure of its future.”
Why do you continue to support the choice movement, and what value do you think EdChoice brings to the movement?
“Without bragging on your methods and examples of your successes, EdChoice accomplishes its goals by using independent factual data as evidence to confirm broad progress in your mission.
“My perception is that you are doing a great job reporting great successes that you have achieved. By reporting successes in your area of endeavor (whether or not your organization has directly participated) you give comfort to your supporters because such results indicate further successes have become more likely.”
