ConnectED, also called the National Center for College and Career, is a left-of-center organization which supports educational efforts in public school districts with large populations of impoverished students. The organization uses a method known as “Linked Learning,” which advises teachers to provide real-world context to the subjects they teach and career opportunities for students. ¹

The organization has received funding from many left-of-center foundations, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and the Carnegie Corporation. ² ConnectED has stated that it is committed to upholding principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and it has said that it wants to work against “America’s legacy of discriminatory public policies and the educational, economic, and social disparities that persist in society.” ³

Agenda

Linked Learning

ConnectEd partners with local school districts and other organizations to help low-income students using a technique known as “Linked Learning.” The organization says that “Linked Learning helps educators create real-world learning experiences that interest, challenge, and inspire students, so they can better understand the connections between the classroom and the world of work.” ⁴ ConnectED does this by using an “interdisciplinary, experiential approach” to “connect teachers and students to industry professionals who help create authentic projects, assess student work, and work side-by-side with students through job shadowing, mentoring, and internship experiences.” ⁵

To fulfill this mission, ConnectED partners with many different school districts across the country, including the Los Angeles Unified School District, the San Diego Unified School District, and the Portland School District. ⁶ ConnectED also partners with several nonprofits, including the Learning Policy Institute and the United Way for Southeastern Michigan. ⁷

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

ConnectED says that it “is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values to ensure the next generation of young people are on a path to economic mobility and thriving careers.” ⁸ The organization claims that there are “relationships between America’s legacy of discriminatory public policies and the educational, economic, and social disparities that persist in society,” and it has said, “We stand as advocates and allies to help communities dismantle structural barriers, practices, and policies to create equitable communities.” ⁹

People

Gary Hoachlander is the president of ConnectED, and he is also a member of its board. ¹⁰ The organization has 17 staff members and ten board members listed on its website. ^{11 12} Jeffrey Fisher is the chair of ConnectED’s Board, which includes individuals who have worked for Twitter and the Bridgespan Group. ¹³

Funding

In the 2019, ConnectED’s total revenue was $2,925,591, and its total expenses were $4,245,416. ¹⁴ In the 2018, total revenue was $2,659,628, and total expenses were $4,048,409. The organization gave grants totaling $485,000, including $190,000 to Envision Learning Partners and $75,000 to the San Diego Unified School District. ¹⁵

ConnectED has received support from numerous companies and left-of-center foundations. On its website, the organization says it has received support from the James Irvine Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Moxie Foundation, the Skillman Foundation, the Barr Foundation, the Joyce Foundation, the Stuart Foundation, and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. ¹⁶ The organization has also received support from JP Morgan Chase and the Carnegie Corporation. ^{17 18}

1. ConnectED. “What is Linked Learning?” https://connectednational.org/meet/about/what-is-linked-learning/. Accessed January 24, 2023.
2. ConnectED. “Our Supporters.” https://connectednational.org/support/current-supporters/. Accessed January 24, 2023.
3. ^[1] ConnectED. “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commitment to Action.” https://connectednational.org/learn/our-team/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-commitment-to-action/. Accessed January 24, 2023.
4. ConnectED. “What is Linked Learning?” https://connectednational.org/meet/about/what-is-linked-learning/. Accessed January 24, 2023.
5. ConnectED. “Overview.” https://connectednational.org/learn/services/services-overview/. Accessed January 24, 2023.
6. ConnectED. “Districts.” https://connectednational.org/meet/our-partners/districts/. Accessed January 24, 2023.
7. ConnectED. “Organizations.” https://connectednational.org/meet/our-partners/organizations/. Accessed January 24, 2023.
8. ConnectED. “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commitment to Action.” https://connectednational.org/learn/our-team/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-commitment-to-action/. Accessed January 24, 2023.
9. ConnectED. “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commitment to Action.” https://connectednational.org/learn/our-team/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-commitment-to-action/. Accessed January 24, 2023.
10. ConnectED. “Staff.” https://connectednational.org/meet/about/staff/. Accessed January 25, 2023.
11. ConnectED. “Staff.” https://connectednational.org/meet/about/staff/. Accessed January 25, 2023.
12. ConnectED. “Board.” https://connectednational.org/meet/about/board/. Accessed January 25, 2023.
13. ConnectED. “Board.” https://connectednational.org/meet/about/board/. Accessed January 25, 2023.
14. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). ConnectED. 2019. Part I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/204781979/202112289349303306/full. Accessed January 24, 2023.
15. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). ConnectED. 2019. Schedule I, Part 2. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/204781979/202112289349303306/full. Accessed January 24, 2023.
16. ConnectED. “Our Supporters.” https://connectednational.org/support/current-supporters/. Accessed January 24, 2023.
17. ConnectED. “Our Supporters.” https://connectednational.org/support/current-supporters/. Accessed January 24, 2023.
18. ConnectED. “2021 Annual Report.” p. 19. https://connectednational.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/ConnectED-Annual-Report-2021.pdf. Accessed January 24, 2023.