The Imagine Learning Foundation (ILF) today announced $630,000 in awards under its 2026 Signature Grant program to nine nonprofit organizations working to support the well-being of young people at home and in their communities.
This year’s recipients reflect both the breadth of the Foundation’s ongoing work and a new emphasis on Learning Through Service — supporting programs that give young people meaningful opportunities to serve, lead, collaborate, and make a difference in their communities. The Foundation is also continuing investments addressing chronic absenteeism, basic needs, mentoring, tutoring, and student homelessness.
The grants continue the Imagine Learning Foundation’s five-year trajectory of investments in organizations addressing factors that can shape a young person’s ability to thrive. Since 2021, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.86 million through 40 grants, reaching more than 413,000 students in 1,700 communities across the United States. Its previous investments have addressed student mental health and well-being, chronic absenteeism, homelessness, basic needs, and other challenges facing young people and their families.
“When the Board of Directors of Imagine Learning and I launched the Imagine Learning Foundation five years ago, I envisioned an initiative to support learners outside of the classroom,” said Jonathan Grayer, chairman and CEO of Imagine Learning. “Five years later, I am proud to see this vision being fulfilled year after year. We are honored to support this year’s grant recipients as they develop the next generation of leaders.”
Learning Through Service is a new funding priority for 2026 and builds on the Foundation’s broader commitment to creating supportive environments for learners beyond the classroom. The Foundation sought programs that create authentic, age-appropriate opportunities for young people to lead, collaborate, reflect, and grow while engaging the families, caregivers, mentors, and community members around them.
“Every year, we have the opportunity to learn from organizations that are deeply connected to young people and their communities,” said Chris Graham, chairman and president of the Imagine Learning Foundation. “This year, we were especially excited by programs that invite young people to be part of the solution — to work alongside their families, peers, and mentors, contribute to something meaningful, and discover what they’re capable of along the way.”
The 2026 Signature Grant recipients are:
- Youth Volunteer Corps — $100,000: Supporting youth-centered service opportunities that enable young people to lead and contribute in their communities.
- SOS San Antonio — $100,000: Supporting youth service programming that connects young people with meaningful opportunities to learn through service.
- SchoolHouse Connection + Attendance Works — $100,000: Continuing their work addressing chronic absenteeism and student homelessness, with a new research and AI focus.
- Anderson Humane — $75,000: Developing youth-led service opportunities through animal welfare and community engagement.
- Sleep in Heavenly Peace — $75,000: Expanding its work providing beds and essential sleep resources to children in need while adding opportunities for youth service.
- City Year — $50,000: Supporting mentorship and tutoring for students.
- Operation Warm — $50,000: Supporting young people through mentoring and access to essential items.
- Catie’s Closet — $50,000: Addressing basic needs that can contribute to chronic absenteeism.
- Boys & Girls Club of Alameda — $30,000: Supporting youth-centered community service experiences.
With its 2026 Signature Grants, the Foundation is building on that work while creating more opportunities for young people to experience themselves not only as learners, but as contributors to the places they call home.
To learn more about the Imagine Learning Foundation and its Signature Grant Program, visit the Imagine Learning Foundation website.
About the Imagine Learning Foundation
Imagine Learning Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering the well-being of learners and those who support them at home and in their communities. Established in 2021, the Foundation provides funding to mission-aligned national nonprofit organizations focused on enhancing the well-being of youth, families, and educators, with an emphasis on accelerating student achievement. Imagine Learning Foundation is the philanthropic initiative of Imagine Learning, a leading creator of K–12 learning solutions, working alongside teachers to support 18 million students in over half of the districts nationwide.
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