By Melanie Schnoll Begun

Donating to educational institutions gives philanthropically inclined clients the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of countless individuals while contributing to a more equitable and productive workforce and society. But determining how to give in order to achieve meaningful outcomes can be challenging.

Identifying the right giving strategy starts with examining the source of the client's affinity for the sector, determining the scale of impact they're seeking to achieve, and researching existing programs and organizations working to improve educational outcomes.

Strengthen educators. Educational philanthropy is often a profoundly personal effort. Clients whose careers and personal identities were shaped by the teachers and professors in their lives may wish to directly provide educators and institutions with the tools and training they need to be successful, whether that involves their hometown grammar school, high school, or their university alma mater.

One option is to identify specialized teacher training programs that provide content-focused, collaborative, and sustained professional development that leverage technology and online teaching tools as well as resources for blended and digital learning in and outside the classroom. Helping teachers at all levels become more proficient and effective through technology can improve long-term outcomes for students, communities and society.

Engaging with teacher support networks that provide resources at the city and state levels, such as the National Education Association, can make a considerable difference in the lives of educators and their students.

Support students. Clients may be passionate about helping students whose families have limited financial resources. At the grammar or secondary school level, that could involve funding after-school or athletic programs that require specific funding initiatives.

For such students, attending a college or university isn't always an option. Conduct research alongside your clients around organizations focused on postsecondary access and completion or alternative postsecondary pathways such as vocational schools, apprenticeships, or certification programs. Organizations such as Sponsors for Educational Opportunity focus on closing the opportunity gap by providing targeted programming for young people beginning high school and throughout their careers.

Another option is to identify the organizations that work directly with students. Online databases such as Candid and Charity Navigator provide specifics on organizations' financials and impact, in some cases include third-party ratings of a charity's operations.

Invest in for-profit funds. Clients who wish to support education through an investment lens -- potentially achieving financial returns while driving social impact -- should consider for-profit impact investing opportunities in the education sector.

The field of education technology, for example, provides investment opportunities that can impact educational advancement at scale. For-profit companies bringing technology solutions to the classroom, such as leveraging artificial intelligence for students with learning differences, chatbots for student support, and virtual reality immersive learning experiences are transforming the educational landscape.

Give voice, take action. Educational philanthropists may be interested in expanding their influence beyond financial giving by advocating for change by contacting legislators and officials at local, state and national levels who influence educational policy.

They can make an impact by volunteering for or joining the boards of nonprofits, such as The Education Trust, that are fighting to improve educational outcomes, particularly for underserved students. Such organizations can create work for long-term change, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to achieve excellence regardless of race, identity, or economic background.

Before a client acts, it's important to set metrics that will measure the impact of contributions or investments. By establishing clarity upfront, maintaining realistic expectations of a strategy's impact, and remaining open-minded to a collaborative approach with like-minded donors, educators and government programs and legislators, clients can feel confident in their decision-making and continue to grow, refine and scale their efforts.

Melanie Schnoll Begun is the head of field engagement for Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management's Family Office Resources $(FOR.AU)$ and oversees FOR's generalist and associate teams that manage the delivery of resources to the firm's wealthiest clients. She is also the president of Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust $(GIFT)$, the firm's donor advised funds and oversees Philanthropy Management's advisory services and philanthropic platforms.

This content was created by Barron's, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. Barron's is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.

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March 14, 2025 13:47 ET (17:47 GMT)

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