Edcamp Foundation Announces Transformational Funding Grant

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Edcamp Foundation which is dedicated to participant-driven professional learning for teachers across the globe today announced that it has received a $2 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  The Edcamp movement which began in Philadelphia in 2010 with a group of teachers who met to exchange ideas and teaching practices has gained international reach spanning 25 countries and over 700 Edcamp conferences have been held since its inception.

The Edcamp model, based on participant driven input for each conference agenda is built on the notion that educators learn best from their peers and will enhance their craft as a result of these dynamic interactions.

"We were thrilled to have this level of support from the Gates Foundation," said Hadley J. Ferguson, Executive Director of the Edcamp Foundation. "Not only is this funding a game-changer for what has been a grassroots movement since it began, but it is a testament to the work that thousands of teachers and administrators have been doing during their free time–exchanging ideas and learning from colleagues in an open forum unlike any other professional learning platform."

With the help of this grant, Edcamp is now able to operate and scale as an organization, thereby providing the home-office support for more than 1000 organizers in the field. It also enables Edcamp: to establish the Edcamp Discovery Grant program with 115 grants to be given over the next year to teachers to implement new ideas in their classrooms, to hold regional summits for Edcamp organizers to further their training, and to provide funding for Edcamp-in-a-Box program.

Edcamps are organized by engaged teachers and administrators at no cost to participants, and welcome any educator no matter what their background, school affiliation or location.  Attendees arrive at Edcamps, and are part of the process of deciding what sessions will be offered that day based on the interest and skill level of the participants. 

About Edcamp

The Edcamp Foundation supports professional learning for educators across the globe in a way that embraces innovation and individualization. Edcamp knows that every student needs to connect on a personal level, and seeks to provide that same connection for educators from all grades and school types.  The Edcamp model leverages participant-driven learning with conference agendas created by attendees at the event. We empower and engage teachers to benefit students worldwide.  Since the original Edcamp meeting in 2010 there have been over 700 conferences held around the world in 25 countries.  Edcamp has received operational funding from NewSchools Seed Fund, and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 

SOURCE Edcamp Foundation