Building Hope Announces Impact Grant Semi-Finalists

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 13, 2023) – Building Hope, a non-profit foundation dedicated to creating high-quality K-12 charter school opportunities for students through its expertise in real estate, finance and operational services, today announced the semi-finalists for its second annual Building Hope IMPACT Grants. The 28 semi-finalists stood out from more than 260 applications received from schools in 38 states across the nation.

Building Hope IMPACT Grants honor charter schools that excel in community engagement, educational innovation, student empowerment and have perfected their charter school model. A total of $170,000 in grants will be awarded across four categories: Community Engagement, Educational Innovation, Student Empowerment, and, new this year, Model Charter School.

“Over the past few months, we’ve had the privilege to review charter school applications from across the nation, stories reminding us that jewels of excellent education shine in communities in every state,” said Building Hope President and CEO Bill Hansen. “Thank you to all the applicants to this year’s grant program. The depth of your dedication to your students inspires us.”

The 2023 IMPACT Grant semi-finalists are:

Student Empowerment

1. Exploration High School in Minneapolis, MN
2. Galileo School for Gifted Learning-Skyway in Sanford, FL
3. Life Learning Academy in San Francisco, CA
4. MicroSociety Academy Charter School in Nashua, NH
5. New Harmony High in New Orleans, LA
6. North Lawndale College Prep in Chicago, IL
7. Siembra Leadership High School in Albuquerque, NM

Community Engagement

1. Amy Biehl High School in Albuquerque, NM
2. Codman Academy in Dorchester, MA
3. Horse Creek Academy in Aiken, SC
4. International Community School in Decatur, GA
5. Memphis STEM Academy Elementary School in Memphis, TN
6. Middleburg Community Charter School in Middleburg, VA
7. Yoder Charter School in Haven, KS

Education Innovation

1. ArtSpace Charter School in Swannanoa, NC
2. Health Leadership High School in Albuquerque, NM
3. Libertas School in Memphis, TN
4. Legal Prep Charter Academy in Chicago, IL
5. Logos Public Charter School in Medford, OR
6. Malama Honua Public Charter School in Waimānalo, HI
7. Rooted School in New Orleans, LA

Model Charter

1. Academy at the Farm in Dade City, FL
2. Greenville Technical Charter High School in Greenville, SC
3. NYOS Charter School in Austin, TX
4. Orange County School of the Arts in Santa Ana, CA and California School of the Arts-San Gabriel Valley in Duarte, CA
5. Sierra Expeditionary Learning School in Truckee, CA
6. Souderton Charter School Collaborative in Souderton, PA
7. True North Classical Academies in Miami, FL

Building Hope also named these six schools as Honorable Mentions for their excellence:

1. Academia Antonia Alonso Charter School in Newark, DE
2. Bob Hope School in Port Arthur, TX
3. DC Preparatory Academy in Washington, DC
4. Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy in Lindon, UT
5. South Florida Autism Charter Schools in Hialeah, FL
6. The New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School inNew Orleans, LA

IMPACT Grant finalists will be announced in March, and grants will be awarded during Building Hope’s second annual IMPACT Summit & Awards taking place May 3 and May 4, 2023 in Miami. In addition to receiving grant award dollars, school finalists will receive an expense-paid trip to the Annual Summit & Awards.

Additional information, including selection criteria and program rules, is available at www.buildinghope.org/impact/awards.

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About Building Hope

Building Hope is a national non-profit that empowers advancements in education through our work with charter schools providing unparalleled facility financing, real estate development, and operational services. We believe a facility should never be the barrier preventing a child from attending a great school. During our 20-year history, Building Hope has invested $482 million in high-impact charter schools serving nearly 200,000 children.