The Foundation’s grantmaking strategy is squarely focused on strengthening the human capital in urban schools by addressing the effectiveness of teachers, the leadership skills of principals, and the managerial and analytic talent needed at multiple levels of the school system.

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The goal of the Foundation’s Youth Development grantmaking is to bring the voice of young people to the significant issues that affect them and their communities. Too often, youth perspectives are unheard or ignored and consequently, young people do not play a central role in addressing the problems and decisions that impact their lives.

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The W. Clement & Jessie V. Stone Foundation is committed to improving the healthy development of children, ages 0-8, by supporting innovative programs, initiatives and policies that benefit such children and their families.

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In The Spotlight...

State-by-state analysis shows U.S. child care workforce struggling to survive

The Center for the Study of Child Care Employment released the 2020 Early Childhood Workforce Index. The report provides a data-rich look at state-based policies and conditions for the early care and education workforce.
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Syliva Puente

Sylvia Puente Honored!

Sylvia Puente, President & CEO of Latino Policy Forum, a W. Clement & Jessie V. Stone Foundation grantee, has been recognized by the Consul General of Mexico in Chicago with a 2020 Ohtli Award.
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In Wake of Multiple Crises, Stone Grantees Take Action

The beginning of summer 2020 was marked by national and international protests against the people and systems responsible for the centuries of violence and injustices against Black and other people of color. The recent murders of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Tony McDade, Oluwatoyin Salau, Rayshard Brooks, and countless others killed by police have prompted a reflection on individual and systematic racism and oppression. The W. Clement & Jessie V. Stone Foundation is renewing its commitment to uplifting the work and voices of community members, and implementing sustainable, equitable systems change. To do this, we have decided to spotlight and reflect upon the many statements issued by our grantees following the murder of George Floyd.
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New & Noteworthy

2020 Grants Awarded

The W. Clement & Jessie V. Stone Foundation awarded approximately $2.5 million in grants in May of 2020. Please visit our Grants Awarded section for detailed descriptions.
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Racial Equity Again Focus of 2020 Grantee Convening

National Leaders Speak About Education in Covid-19 and Covid-19 Recovery In September, Fifty-Two W. Clement & Jessie V. Stone Foundation grantees from all three of its program areas gathered for Transformation for Racial Equity: Moving Toward Action, the 2020 Annual Grantee Convening. Grounded by presentations from Linda Darling-Hammond, Learning Policy Institute, LaShawn Route’ Chatmon, National […]
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NEW DATA SHOW STATEWIDE SNAPSHOT OF KINDERGARTEN READINESS

Data from the statewide Kindergarten Individual Development Survey (KIDS), released today by the Illinois State Board of Education, provides a snapshot of the skills of beginning kindergarteners in Illinois in the fall of 2019 and reflects the third consecutive year of increases in kindergarten readiness scores. Given KIDS is a relatively new tool, teachers are gaining expertise in observational data collection each year of implementation – making data and trends more conclusive every year.
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