Launched in 2022, the New Champions Fund is an annual competitive program designed to elevate unrecognized leaders who are doing exceptional work but often face systemic barriers to traditional fundraising.
The Educating All Learners Alliance (EALA), an initiative of InnovateEDU, seeks to provide a national platform for innovators who are actively dismantling barriers to educational opportunity. This is not a sweepstakes or a random drawing; it is a merit-based program rooted in mission alignment and professional excellence.
We are thrilled to share the next milestone in our journey to center access, opportunity, and inclusion in education. After a rigorous application process that saw a record-breaking number of submissions from across the country, we have officially selected six finalists for the 2026 New Champions Fund.
Meet the 2026 Finalists
These six emerging leaders represent the pathway to possible. They are working on the front lines to improve access and belonging for students with disabilities, neurodivergent learners, and those from underserved communities.
| Name | Organization |
| Anthony Beckett | Legendary Education Consortium, Inc. |
| Harold Lee Jr. | Kidvation Global |
| Karla Phillips-Krivickas | AZ Champions for Kids |
| Nashlie Sephus | Bean Path |
| Raquel Bell | Foundation for Foster Children, Inc. |
| Sandra Hunter | Roadmap to Success Empowerment Center |
Meet our 2025 Champions
Meet our 2022-2024 Champions
EALA is committed to providing our New Champions and Runners-Up with a comprehensive support ecosystem:
- Subgrants: One primary New Champion receives a $35,000 unrestricted subgrant, while two Runners-Up receive $5,000 each to fuel their mission.
- Virtual Retreat: An exclusive kickoff event to build community with former champions and current innovators, building a peer network of support.
- One-on-One Mentorship: A full year of dedicated guidance from experienced mentors to help navigate professional hurdles and scale impact.
- National Spotlight: We leverage the EALA platform to amplify these leaders through our podcasts, webinars, and featured appearances at national events.
The judging process was guided by an individualized Request for Proposal (RFP) and evaluated against a well-defined rubric focused on impact, scalability, and applicants’ lived experience. To ensure the selection process is fair, accessible, and rigorous, all submissions were reviewed by a panel of 52 expert judges (thank you, judges!). This panel represents the full spectrum of the education sector, including:
- School and District Leaders
- Researchers and Academics
- Disability Rights Advocates
- Former New Champions Fund recipients
What’s Next?
Following a collaborative Review Summit, the judges will select the New Champions and additional winners. The 2026 New Champion and Runners-Up will be announced right here in May 2026. Stay tuned as we continue to celebrate these incredible leaders and their work to reimagine education for all learners.
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