Nellie Mae Education Foundation

The Nellie Mae Education Foundation is a Quincy-based philanthropy working to ensure that every young person in New England has access to an excellent public education that prepares them to thrive in school and community. Since 2020 its grantmaking has focused on advancing racial equity in public education. It also shares stories from the field, such as rural Vermont schools building student resilience and a Maine docu-series on rethinking public schools.

The foundation’s endowment was created when NMC was sold to Sallie Mae, and its early grants focused on improving underserved students’ access to higher education. Over time it moved from college access to education systems change and then to student-centered learning in high schools. In 2017 it began examining its own work through a racial equity lens, and in 2019 it adopted new mission, vision and values statements.

What to Know

• A Community Advisory Group of teachers, students, parents and community organizers helps guide its grantmaking.
• Its strategy for 2026 and beyond was shaped by input from more than 2,500 students, teachers, parents and community members.
• The refined strategy emphasizes strong community power, responsive state systems and a connected regional narrative.
• It publishes annual reports and maintains a speakers bureau.