The Educating All Learners Alliance (EALA), an initiative of InnovateEDU, is proud to announce the launch of the 2026 New Champions Fund. Applications open on February 6 and close March 6th, 2026.

The New Champions Fund is an annual competitive program featuring an unrestricted subgrant and a year-long mentorship for the selected champions. EALA seeks to elevate emerging leaders from various backgrounds who are working to improve access and belonging in education. This program is specifically designed for people who are actively supporting students with disabilities and learning differences, those from underserved communities, and anyone who has faced barriers to educational opportunity.

EALA’s goal is to provide resources and a national platform for unrecognized leaders who are doing exceptional work, but may face barriers in traditional fundraising. Since 2022, EALA has committed to spotlighting these “New Champions” in education by providing the funding and mentorship necessary to help their organizations grow. To support a wide range of innovators, EALA awards one primary $35,000 subgrant and two $5,000 subgrants to runners-up, as selected by a broad panel of expert judges.

What We Are Looking For

EALA is looking for New Champions who bring exceptional leadership, a dedicated commitment to students with learning differences, and a passion for continued professional growth. The goal is to identify and fund these emerging leaders who are making a tangible difference, but have not yet received the level of attention or funding their work deserves.

An EALA “New Champion” fits ALL of the following profile:

• You lead a community-based organization (CBO), school, district, non-profit, or for-profit*
• Your organization is based and operates within the United States.
• You are a leader from a marginalized background or a dedicated ally who has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing access and belonging in education.
• You are actively working to improve the lives of students with disabilities and learning differences, including those from underserved communities and those who face barriers to educational opportunity.

*For-profit organizations must be eligible to receive contributions from non-profit entities, and have under $2 million in annual revenue.

The New Champions Experience 

EALA aims to elevate and empower the New Champions and Runners-Up by providing a comprehensive support package designed to expand your impact and reach.

• Funding: The New Champion will receive a one-year, $35,000 unrestricted subgrant. The two Runners-Up will receive a one-year $5,000 unrestricted subgrant.
• Retreat: Participation in an exclusive virtual retreat with former champions and runners- up to kickoff the mentorship year and build community with innovators in the education world.
• Mentorship: A year of dedicated guidance through quarterly, virtual 1-on-1 sessions with an experienced mentor to help navigate professional challenges, and achieve milestones.
• National Spotlight: EALA will leverage its national platform to amplify your work through podcasts, webinars, and opportunities to attend EALA-affiliated events.

Selection Process

EALA has designed the selection process to be transparent, fair, and accessible for everyone. This program provides a competitive subgrant based on professional merit and mission alignment; it is not a competition or sweepstakes prize. 

The New Champions Fund recipients are selected and granted by a panel of expert judges using well-defined rubric. This process is moderated by an individualized Request for Proposal (RFP) written at the beginning of each New Champions application window. The application process takes place online and is designed to be simple and accessible, with dedicated support throughout the process.

All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of 40 expert judges, representing a broad range of professional expertise and lived experiences across the education sector—including school leaders, researchers, advocates, and former New Champions. After a collaborative review summit, the New Champions will be announced in May 2026.

As a part of this process, funding applications are vetted by the EALA review team and reviewed by the New Champions Fund Judges using this EALA New Champions Rubric.

Explore the Request for Proposals document below. Make a copy and draft your responses before navigating to the Submission Portal.

• You lead a community-based organization (CBO), school, district, non-profit, or for-profit*
• Your organization is based and operates within the United States.
• You are a leader from a marginalized background or a dedicated ally who has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing access and belonging in education.
• You are actively working to improve the lives of students with disabilities and learning differences, including those from underserved communities and those who face barriers to educational opportunity.

We are actively looking for applicants who are not- yet-recognized for their exceptional work and who may be first time grant applicants or someone who is unsure about the grant-application process. We want to support you through this grant application process.

Please keep in mind that we are looking to fund a new champion who is actively working to support students with disabilities, including students who are marginalized or come from underserved communities and those experiencing poverty. When writing your responses to the proposal questions, please keep in mind the focus on serving these communities of learners.

Additionally, before completing your submission, please review the EALA New Champions Rubric the judges will be using to determine the 2026 New Champion.

The New Champions Judges are leaders in the cross-section of equity, innovation, and education.

Together, they represent a diverse collective of industry leaders in the non-profit, advocacy, digital literacy, K-12 education and edtech sectors, all committed to advancing equity and opportunity in the field.

Past Champions

2022 New Champion, Dena Simmons Ed.D

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2022 Runner Up, Dr. Charles Cole III

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2022 Runner Up, Dr. Leena Bakshi McLean

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2023 New Champion, Kim Riley

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2023 Runner Up, Antoinette Banks

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2023 Runner Up, Nekia Wright

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2024 Champion, Lovisa Brown

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2024 Runner Up, Erika Watson

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2024 Runner Up, Rina Madhani

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