Charter School Growth Fund

10/29/2026

Every leader has a defining moment that shapes their purpose and drive.

In this episode of the Leader to Leader podcast, host Darryl Cobb speaks with Leslie-Bernard Joseph, CEO of KIPP NYC, about his origin story.

As a child of immigrants, he remembers the exact moment everything clicked—and why striving for excellence became essential.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/mrPMiZAlVMU
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4fTogbfHLKY5wbPegFW3cc?si=Dkw2orCAQx-53TpBj7I14A
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kipp-nyc-leader-leslie-bernard-joseph-on-why-power/id1789389523?i=1000797667926

10/28/2026

Hispanic Heritage Month may be over, but the traditions don’t stop.
At Bob Hope School in Port Arthur, Texas, 25 students are keeping Mexican musical heritage alive through Mariachi Esperanza, the only school mariachi band in Southeast Texas.

The program started in 2021 and today, the band performs for free at community events, local businesses, and the Senior Citizens Center.

Watch the students play and hear their story:
https://www.12newsnow.com/article/news/community/hispanic-heritage/bob-hope-students-preserve-hispanic-culture-mariachi-music/502-f83e8e85-3021-481e-bff7-ebd0e74127ae?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_12NewsNow&fbclid=IwY2xjawVEwT9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5gINmMRaqQZxS6e_EKVTvrZYPPheRpXdRDiuIBjfgrAbZH1sbm3QO4EX5QSg_aem_vgKJ8l8gcUXGJmMt2dHeBA

Bob Hope High School's Mariachi Esperanza helps students preserve Hispanic traditions through music while sharing their culture with the Port Arthur community.

10/27/2026

Five True North Classical Academy students started The Giving Grill, a nonprofit that has grilled 150 pounds of steak meals for 300 individuals at a homeless shelter. They serve the meals and sit down to eat with everyone, because feeding people is also about making them feel valued.

“Seeing their pure joy when they’re eating it” is what Nicolas Bello, the founder, says makes it all worthwhile.

They credit their mentors and educators at True North Classical Academy for helping them get started.

Read the full story from CBS Miami: https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/true-north-classical-academy-giving-grill-miami-proud-october-13-2026/

The nonprofit the Giving Grill was born during a hangout among friends and quickly turned into a mission to serve their community.

10/22/2026

He left his community to get an excellent education and is now leading KIPP NYC, a network of 18 schools serving 10,000 students. In the newest episode of Leader to Leader, Leslie-Bernard Joseph shares his journey with Darryl Cobb and what it has taught him about leading authentically.

What does authentic leadership look like for you?

YouTube: https://youtu.be/mrPMiZAlVMU
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4fTogbfHLKY5wbPegFW3cc?si=Dkw2orCAQx-53TpBj7I14A
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kipp-nyc-leader-leslie-bernard-joseph-on-why-power/id1789389523?i=1000797667926

10/21/2026

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN: 2027 ENTREPRENEUR IN RESIDENCE (EIR) OPPORTUNITY!

The Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) program supports aspiring and early-stage charter leaders who are planning to launch a new school in Fall 2028 and want dedicated time, coaching, and resources to turn that vision into a strong founding team and business plan.

Apply here: https://chartergrowthfund.org/apply-for-funding/

Applicants should demonstrate:
Proven Leadership
Academic Performance
Commitment to Underserved Students
Vision for Growth

2027 EIR Application Cycle Dates:
Application Opens: October 21, 2026
Application Closes: December 2, 2026

Join us for office hours!
Have questions about the program or the application? Join our team on Friday, October 23 at 3:00 PM CT. Zoom link: https://csgf.zoom.us/j/88242922261?from=addon

Also open now:
Applications for our First School and Next School opportunities opened on September 28th and will close on November 4th. This application is for leaders opening a new school in Fall 2027 or replicating a school site by Fall 2027 or Fall 2028 that will serve at least 250 additional students when fully grown.

Unsure if you qualify or have general questions? Email [email protected].

10/20/2026

In a new op-ed for The 74, Maryann Li, CEO of Ascend Schools in Brooklyn, shares how her network prepares teachers to lead and grow.
Through Ascend’s efforts, eighty-one percent of Ascend’s school leaders have been promoted from within, and staff satisfaction ratings of school leadership are in the 77th percentile.
When leaders are taught, coached, and given hands-on practice, educators grow, teams stay, and students benefit.
Read the full piece:
https://www.the74million.org/article/mamdani-wants-to-empower-educators-preparing-great-principals-is-how-it-happens/

Li: My charter network creates a leadership pipeline by giving teachers instruction, coaching and hands-on experience. New York City's mayor can, too.

10/15/2026

Congratulations to Excel Academy Charter Schools, for ranking #31 among Massachusetts public high schools by U.S. News & World Report, placing it in the top 3% of public high schools nationally.
“This data proves that college-level coursework belongs to every student in East Boston and Chelsea, not just some,” said Sarah Stuntz, Excel Academy Charter High School Head of School.

https://eastietimes.com/2026/09/30/excel-academy-charter-school-ranked-31-in-massachusetts-public-high-schools/

News Excel Academy Charter School ranked #31 in Massachusetts Public High Schools by Special to the Times-Free Press • September 30, 2026 • 0 Comments Excel Academy Charter High School is proud to announce its ranking as number 31 in the list of best public high schools in Massachusetts by U...

10/14/2026

“I am the first and only person of Latino descent to run a charter school in the state of Oklahoma.”

To close out , hear from Elsie Urueta Po***ck, CEO of Tulsa Honor Academy, on our podcast Leader to Leader with Darryl Cobb.

P.S. Congratulations, Elsie, on your induction into the Oklahoma Hispanic Hall of Fame!

Be sure to check out Elsie Urueta Po***ck’s Leader to Leader episode:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5-000-signatures-three-schools-one-vision-elsie-urueta/id1789389523?i=1000703758103
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7iwFoxbY2yJ4MOD4gR0PDk?si=qUHgn3pBQ6q2JeI4HwdeEQ
YouTube: https://youtu.be/FH2pMzmezkA?si=5YLMmWhb0WxoMcbo

10/13/2026

"A strong vision and a strong belief is really important."

KIPP Texas Public Schools leader Sehba Ali shares the importance of having a vision, but also being able to stay steady as challenges come your way.

For her, remembering that you will face highs and lows, and knowing brighter moments are around the corner, helps her stay balanced as a leader.

Out now on all major podcast platforms!

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3BA78wwM7CcIUPy7DVbcfa?si=08CXwmYrQaehfqv1PZGlVQ
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-worked-30-years-ago-wont-work-today-sehba-ali/id1789389523?i=1000785802373
YouTube: https://youtu.be/j7pC-LLjKuc

10/08/2026

2027 SEED GRANT OPPORTUNITY APPLICATION IS NOW OPEN!

The Seed Grant is specifically for early-stage charter school organizations that are interested in growing to increase opportunities for students in their community.

Apply here: https://chartergrowthfund.org/apply-for-funding/

ALL APPLICANTS MUST:
Be a non-profit charter school, or opening a non-profit charter school
Be located in the United States or a US territory
Be opening a new school Fall 2027 or replicating a school site by Fall 2027 or Fall 2028 that will serve at least 250 additional students when fully grown

2027 Seed Application Cycle Dates:
Application Opens: September 28, 2026
Application Closes: November 4, 2026

Please note: If you are opening your first school in Fall 2028 and want to apply as an Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) to receive support in year 0, that application will open on October 21, 2026, and close on December 2, 2026.

Not sure if you qualify, or have general inquiries? Email: [email protected]