What We Do

In the words of Milton and Rose Friedman:

"We have concluded that the achievement of effective parental choice requires an ongoing effort to inform the public about the issues and possible solutions, an effort that is not episodic, linked to particular legislative or ballot initiatives, but that is educational." (1996)

In the words of the Wall Street Journal:

“The nation’s leading voucher advocates.”  September 5, 2001

In the words of Philanthropy Magazine:

“The nation’s original advocate of school choice.”  Winter 2010

In our words:

Our Foundation has a clear vision: advance Milton and Rose Friedman’s vision of school choice for all children. We educate policymakers and the public about the desperate need to return power to the parents of America who have minimal choices and limited voices in the education of their children. We serve as an important resource and partner for the many parents and community groups who want greater choice in education, and who are ready to fight for it.

Our Services

MARKETING SERVICES

The battles leading up to a school choice victory are fought in the court of public opinion - over the airwaves, in newspapers and through community discussions. Educating the public about the facts and benefits of school choice is vital to the success of any effort. To help ensure success, the Foundation provides a range of marketing services to local and national allies. These include:

1. Brochures & Promotional Materials – Producing materials for other organizations that are intended to promote or provide facts about the issue.
2. Marketing & Ad Campaigns – Promoting school choice through sponsoring and producing advertising and marketing campaigns.
3. Media Training & Advice – Advising and assisting state-based organizations and individuals on developing and undertaking successful media relations efforts.
4. Message Development – Advising and assisting state-based organizations in developing winning messaging campaigns for school choice.

RESEARCH

School choice is a complex issue, often misunderstood and often clouded by negative rhetoric from opponents of educational choice. To offset the negative rhetoric and myths, we found a simple solution — provide credible research and solid facts. This includes:

1. Strategic Analysis
   1. National Research – we undertake or sponsor original research in order to raise national awareness of the need for educational choice.
   2. State Research – we undertake or sponsor research in order to build awareness of the need for educational choice and/or to counter myths relevant to specific states.
   3. Research Briefs - We produce 1-2 page summaries of key research so that state-based groups can better promote school choice.
2. Polling
   1. State Surveys – we produce state-specific surveys in order to raise awareness and build support for educational choice.
   2. Survey Briefs – We produce 1-2 page summaries of our state polls so that state-based groups can prove that educational choice enjoys widespread support.
   3. Messaging/Marketing Polls – we undertake surveys, including online surveys, for the purposes of helping state-based organizations and allies identify the best messages.

EDUCATION AND OUTREACH SERVICES

School choice doesn’t happen overnight. It takes years to cultivate the right environment and years to defend victories once they have been achieved. Whether you are new to the issue, a long-time advocate or just an observer, it is critical to know the facts about school choice. That’s why we undertake a variety of educational and outreach activities, including:

1. Fact-finding Trips – we sponsor and host trips to WI, PA, AZ and FL for community leaders to learn about the benefits of existing school choice programs.
2. Speakers Bureau – in partnership with other national groups, we manage a national speaker’s bureau so experts are available to speak at venues around the country.
3. Expert Testimony – our staff provides expert testimony on the benefits of educational choice.
4. Lobbying – we help state-based efforts to pay for lobbying services or conduct lobbying services directly.
5. Model Bill Design – we provide technical advice and assistance on designing and implementing bills.
6. Sponsored Events – we sponsor seminars and briefings and provide support for partner events.
7. Legal & Administrative Advice and Training – we provide advice and training regarding establishing new non-profit school choice organizations.

GRANTMAKING

As more and more states join the battle for educational choice, it is important they have the resources necessary to promote the issue. We provide funds to help local leaders undertake specific educational projects and support programs that raise awareness for educational choice or increase support for a state’s already-enacted school choice program.

MEASURING SUCCESS

We measure success in the following five ways:

1. The increase in the percentage of public dollars going to fund private school choice compared to the overall funds going to all K-12 education.
2. The increase in the percentage of children attending private schools compared to the overall number of children enrolled in K-12 education.
3. How much closer we got in any given year to achieving Milton Friedman’s vision of universal school choice.
4. How much we helped create credible and sustainable local school choice efforts that will exist long after we are gone.
5. Whether or not our program services meaningfully advanced the school choice movement in individual states.