Apply now for the 2019 Emerging CMO Cohort!
Dear Friends,

On behalf of the Charter School Growth Fund, we are thrilled to announce that the Emerging CMO Fund is accepting applications for the 2019 Cohort. Linked here, and in the message below, you will find details about the program, selection criteria, and application process. Please help us in our efforts to find and support the next generation of high-performing, early-stage charter school organizations led by talented entrepreneurs of color by sharing this with your networks.
Program Overview
The Charter School Growth Fund (CSGF) is looking for the next generation of entrepreneurs from across the country to join the 31 talented leaders of color who have received support through the Emerging CMO Fund to date. Through the Emerging CMO Fund, CSGF will support the growth of the next cohort of high-performing, early-stage charter school networks led by entrepreneurs of color. This program is available to entrepreneurs of color who currently lead a single-site or an early-stage charter school network and want to grow one to two more great schools. 
Key Components
  • CSGF will make grants ranging from $250,000 to $500,000 to support costs associated with each organization's growth. Grant recipients have the opportunity to engage in individual and group learning, participate in the annual CSGF Emerging CMO Retreat, and receive mentorship from CEOs who successfully scaled their organizations to become multi-school charter school networks.
  • Leaders who receive support through the Emerging CMO Fund join a cohort of entrepreneurs who are leading their networks through an early stage of growth. Their organizations use a variety of educational models and serve students of various ages and backgrounds throughout the country.
Selection Criteria
Applicants to the Emerging CMO Fund should demonstrate the following:
  • Proven Leadership: A track record of three to five years of demonstrated success in a leadership role of a charter school or early-stage charter school network.
  • Academic Performance: A record of operating schools that outperform their local districts and perform well compared to the average school in their state on state-administered assessments.
  • Commitment to Underserved Students: A commitment to serving students from high-need backgrounds and communities that have few high-quality public schools.
  • Vision for Growth: A desire to grow a charter school network by adding between one and three schools.
Application Process
Application Deadline: February 1, 2019
Award Notification: June 2019
Online Application: Applicants should create an account and submit an online application at submit.chartergrowthfund.org

Applicants will complete several essay questions and submit academic data demonstrating the performance of their current charter school. Top applicants will be named semi-finalists and undergo a thorough due diligence process. We will learn more about semi-finalist's leaders, academic and organizational models, and potential to scale in spring 2019 and announce finalists in June 2019.

If you have any questions about the process, please contact us at emergingcmo@chartergrowthfund.org.

Sincerely,

Darryl Cobb, Soenda Howell, and Cynden Amrose
Charter School Growth Fund | chartergrowthfund.org