Eligibility

The Charter School Growth Fund will invest in:

1. Emerging CMOs: Individual schools that wish to become CMOs based on outstanding performance
2. Existing CMOs:  Operators that have the potential and desire to continue to grow and have outstanding performance at their existing schools  

To be eligible to apply, applicants should demonstrate the following:

• History of High Academic Performance: A record of operating at least one school for three or more years that demonstrates successful academic performance, with students registering strong, consistent gains across several testing periods on a state test and/or a nationally-normed reference test. Candidates with two years of data might be eligible to apply in some cases, and should contact applications@chartergrowthfund.org for more information.
• Under-Served Population: Service of high-needs families who otherwise would not have access to a quality education.
• Academic Model: Strong, well-structured academic programs and assessment systems that are tailored to the needs of enrolled students and their families, and that have the potential to be replicated.
• Board Support: In pursuing expansion and seeking a partnership with CSGF.
• Charter: If the applicant currently operates charter schools, then it must possess a charter in good standing with its authorizer(s), and demonstrate a consistent record of compliance with the authorizer(s).
• Legal Status: Possession of a valid corporate status and Tax I.D. number.

If an eligible applicant successfully makes it through CSGF's initial blind application screen, which is based solely on academic performance, CSGF will then commence in-depth due diligence. During due diligence, CSGF will assess many other factors, including whether applicants demonstrate a commitment to balancing growth with high performance, and a willingness to work closely with the Charter School Growth Fund's team.

When selecting potential investments, CSGF's purpose is not to tightly restrict what form a charter school network should take, but instead to provide CMOs with the support necessary to articulate and realize their vision for how their unique organization will be structured and run.