Frequently Asked Questions

Please get in touch with the team here to discuss opportunities and tailored solutions. At the Foundation for GPE, both thematic and geographic earmarking based on your interests is possible. Options range from existing GPE mechanisms such as the Girls' Education Accelerator or the GPE Multiplier in over 90 GPE partner countries, to new tailored mechanisms. Crowdfunding will also be possible in the future and will be available on our website.

The Foundation for GPE is a Swiss foundation established in Geneva, dedicated to advancing the Global Partnership for Education (GPE)'s mission of transforming education in over 90 countries. The Foundation for GPE aims to mobilize new and diverse resources, build strategic partnerships with private and philanthropic actors, and champion innovative approaches to ensure that every child has access to quality education. The Foundation for GPE provides the opportunity to engage with new technical, advocacy and other operational partners in pursuit of a shared mission.

The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) is the largest global fund dedicated to transforming education in lower-income countries, and a unique, multi-stakeholder partnership. GPE works to deliver quality education so that every girl and boy can unlock their potential and contribute to building a better world.

In the context of GPE's sustainable finance strategy, the Foundation for GPE provides more flexibility in moving beyond traditional funding models, including blended, outcomes-based financing mechanisms.

The Foundation for GPE is a legally independent, Geneva-based foundation. It operates autonomously and is not in a hierarchical relationship with GPE.

The Foundation for GPE has its own Board taking its own decisions, while adhering to its purpose of supporting GPE's mission and objectives.

A Coordination Memorandum of Understanding between the GPE Board and the Foundation for GPE Board establishes the collaboration framework between both entities to coordinate operational functions and activities in support of GPE's mission and objectives.

Yes, the Foundation for GPE coordinates and cooperates with the GPE Secretariat and is thus able to operate globally across over 90 GPE partner countries. It can enter into partnerships with various kinds of non-sovereign donor organizations that do not themselves have to be Switzerland-based.

The Foundation for GPE is a Swiss foundation established in Geneva, with its office and staff based at the Geneva Global Hub for Education in Emergencies. Its presence there reflects the added value of Geneva's dynamic international ecosystem and the Geneva Global Hub for Education in Emergencies, enabling close engagement with key partners across the global development and finance community, and beyond.

Building on GPE's 20+ years' experience, capabilities and leadership role on the global stage, the Foundation for GPE draws on GPE's unique access to education decision makers and convening power in over 90 partner countries, to design inclusive partnerships anchored in country priorities and dialogue.

The Foundation for GPE implements investments aligned with nationally defined priorities and proven evidence-based solutions to invest in and scale what works, leveraging GPE's expertise, credibility and quality assurance.

The Foundation for GPE follows the same approach as GPE, focusing on transforming education systems via public schools.

No funds can be used to support for-profit provision of core education services, including by either wholly or partially owned network or "chain" schools. Where funding is used to support not-for-profit nonstate providers of core education services, partner countries should either have regulatory frameworks in place or under development. If they do not, and where there is no existing financing to develop it, some funds should be used to help establish the regulatory framework.

With a mandate to catalyse additional resources, create partnerships with new types of actors, including but not limited to corporations, high net worth individuals, family offices and foundations, the Foundation for GPE facilitates, co-creates and supports:

Pooling of co-financiers: as a neutral convener, the Foundation for GPE can bring together various private and philanthropic actors around joint programmes, connecting their resources and added value with GPE's match mechanism and partners' programmatic excellence.

In-kind partnerships: the Foundation for GPE can facilitate partnerships with companies, leveraging their technical expertise in various areas to meet specific needs of education systems.

Giving circles: the Foundation for GPE can support informal groups of individual philanthropists to pool their resources to support shared education priorities, combining collective giving with community building, enabling participants to learn together, strengthen networks and deepen their impact.

Innovative finance: the Foundation for GPE complements GPE's work on sustainable education finance by introducing and resourcing innovative instruments, broadening GPE's financing scope and roles with enhanced agility.

Yes. The matching ratio for philanthropic and private actors is 1:1, effectively doubling private sector or philanthropic investment: every 1 CHF contributed from philanthropic and private actors is matched by 1 CHF from GPE (GPE Match).

The GPE Multiplier is an innovative finance instrument to incentivize more and efficient funding to education. The funding should align to the priorities selected by the national authorities and their partners. You can find more information on the GPE Multiplier here.

The Foundation for GPE can work both with GPE's accredited grant agents as well as with different types of implementing partners, including nationally-based organisations. For the latter, the Foundation for GPE set up its own due diligence process, aligned with GPE's standards.

The Foundation for GPE does not accept unsolicited grant proposals and requests and does not have the capacity to review them.

The Foundation for GPE adopts a co-creation approach throughout the lifecycle of a partnership. We want to hear about partners' objectives and help them to be achieved. Philanthropic and private actors can be involved at all different stages of engagement based on their strategic requirements and preferences. This flexible approach enables partners to contribute to education system transformation at scale, while meeting their own needs and maintaining a meaningful level of engagement, influence and connection to the impact that is being created. We are keen on hearing from you regarding your vision, challenges and needs in exploring together ways to collaborate.