A nature school that meets in the forest, a program called “Twiddle Bugs” that serves children with autism, STEM classes, and more. Since its launch in August 2020, the VELA Education Fund has backed innovative educational opportunities around the country.

The common theme among VELA grantees is passion. Parents, teachers, and community leaders are recognizing the wide variety of needs and interests among children—and they’re stepping up to meet those needs and encourage those interests. VELA is there to support these innovators with grants to help get their programs off the ground.

Kids learning at nature-based microschool.
Kids enjoy learning at a nature‐​based micro‐​school in Kansas that is expanding with the help of a VELA grant.

When COVID-19 disrupted schools, families were forced to try new educational arrangements. Many parents were dissatisfied with the remote options provided by their schools and began looking at pandemic pods, micro-schools, and hybrid homeschool options. As it happened, some families really liked these new alternatives and wanted to stick with them. But many communities lack the support networks that make home education more manageable. Enter VELA.

For example, WhatupHomee is an online community created by and for black homeschoolers. Founder Mishawnda Mintz, a longtime homeschooler, started WhatupHomee as a way to connect black homeschoolers regardless of where they live. The group’s VELA grant helped them reach new families who chose homeschooling due to COVID-19 closures.

Would-be education innovators who missed previous grant rounds now have their chance—VELA’s fall 2021 microgrant application is live. “Everyday entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for a microgrant of $2,500 or $10,000 to support innovative, nontraditional education programs,” says Meredith Olson, President of VELA Education Fund. “This includes parents, teachers, community members, and, yes, students. We are trying to expand access to more everyday entrepreneurs, so current and previous grantees are not eligible to apply this round.”

There’s no question the disruptions from COVID-19 have upended education as we know it. Parental support for education savings accounts, which would allow funding to follow students to various educational options, was 84% in recent polling. And lawmakers are listening—new or expanded education choice programs have been passed in at least 18 states so far this year.

As education choice expands, families will seek more options. Programs like VELA will help ensure there’s a ready supply of high-quality options available to replicate or build from when they’re needed.