At SERP, philanthropy is more than generosity, it’s partnership. It’s the belief that transformative change in education happens when researchers, educators, communities, and funders work side-by-side to solve real problems together. This Giving Tuesday, we’re celebrating the supporters who make our mission possible: building tools, knowledge, and systems that help every student experience belonging, confidence, and academic agency.

Philanthropy fuels the work at the heart of SERP: rigorous research, thoughtful design, and deep collaboration with practitioners. It allows us to take risks, pilot bold ideas, and co-create solutions with the districts and teachers who understand their students best. From developing new literacy interventions to expanding professional learning to strengthening research-practice partnerships nationwide, philanthropy enables us to reach farther and serve more communities.

Expanding Civic Readiness Through a Landmark Investment

We are honored this year to receive transformative support from Leonard D. Schaeffer for SERP’s Civics Curriculum Project: Preparing High School Students for the Challenges of American Democracy. This four-year initiative with the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) and the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) will respond to an urgent national need for high-quality civics education.

Building on more than two decades of SERP’s work designing research-based curricula in literacy, math, social studies, and science, this project will co-create, with educators, researchers, and designers, a semester-long high school civics curriculum focused on democratic tensions, disciplinary and digital media literacy, and a capstone civic action project. In line with SERP’s commitment to accessibility, these materials will be made freely available nationwide. Mr. Schaeffer’s support, informed by his longstanding investment in civic participation, extends that impact to a new generation of high school students, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and agency essential to a thriving democracy.

Strengthening Early Literacy on Capitol Hill

We are also proud to share that SERP received a grant from the Capitol Hill Community Foundation (CHCF) to support our project, Literacy Workstation Materials for K–2 Students in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C. This grant strengthens our mission to ensure young learners develop the strong early literacy foundations critical for long-term academic success.

At a recent CHCF grantee gathering, we connected with board members and fellow organizations dedicated to uplifting education, the arts, and community service across Capitol Hill. It was a powerful reminder of what becomes possible when neighbors unite around shared purpose. We are honored to be part of this network of changemakers and grateful for CHCF’s partnership in bringing high-quality, research-based literacy tools to classrooms in our nation’s capital.

Advancing WordGen for Today’s Classrooms

We are equally grateful for the continued support of the Brinson Foundation, whose investment is fueling important updates to WordGen, SERP’s flagship vocabulary and discussion curriculum. Their generosity enables us to refresh units with current, relevant topics and expand the tools educators rely on to build student voice, critical thinking, and academic language.

The Brinson Foundation’s commitment to evidence-based, scalable educational tools aligns deeply with SERP’s mission. Their partnership ensures that WordGen continues empowering young people to engage thoughtfully with complex social, scientific, and civic issues, both in school and beyond.

Thank You

On Giving Tuesday and every day, we are profoundly grateful for the funders, partners, and advocates who believe in SERP’s vision: a world where research and practice are not separate spheres, but collaborators in creating meaningful change. Thank you for standing with us, and for helping ensure students and educators have the tools they need to thrive.