Abstract
In the fall of 2017, the Per and Astrid Heidenreich Family Foundation invited a Brandeis University team to explore the feasibility of foundations working together to close the “opportunity gap” for public school students in Fairfield County, CT. The feasibility study was launched following a meeting of 32 foundations and community and school leaders convened by Heidenreich on October 30, 2017. That meeting set the stage for the Brandeis study goals:
- Gain a better understanding of the opportunity gap in Norwalk Public Schools, the challenges in addressing it, and the levers that have been effective in narrowing it.
- Explore what needs to be in place in Fairfield County schools and communities to address the opportunity gap.
- Explore what needs to be in place among funders to effectively address the opportunity gap.
For the study, the Brandeis team interviewed 29 funders and community partners (for a total of more than 60 face-to-face, telephone and video-conference contacts and as many follow-up emails) to assess potential partners’ perceptions of the problem, what action is needed, and their interest in new solutions to close the gap (see attachment A for the List of Key Informants). The Brandeis team also researched case studies, best practice, and lessons learned about successful strategies to address the opportunity gap challenge – as well as where failures have occurred and why. In this report we lay out a framework for action and recommendations for next steps.