When Vision Meets Capital: Our Partnership with NewSchools

What happens when the courage to transform education from the ground up connects with the capital to make it real?‍

The work we do at Surge Institute doesn't happen in isolation. Every leader we develop, every community we serve, every barrier we dismantle—it all requires more than passion and persistence. It demands partnership. It demands believers who understand that real change begins with investing in the people closest to the work.

That's exactly what we've found in NewSchools.

More Than Funding—A Commitment to Our Vision

NewSchools isn't your typical funder. They're a venture philanthropy on a mission to build a better education system by doing something revolutionary: connecting people, resources, and ideas in ways that actually work. They bridge the gap between those who have capital and those of us with the courage to put that capital to work on the frontlines of education—in our communities, with our leaders, for our children.

For Surge Institute, this partnership means something profound. NewSchools is investing in us as a high-performing venture, helping us deepen our impact and sustain our growth at a critical moment in our journey. 

A Decade of Excellence Fuels the Next One

Surge was built by and for communities of color, and designed to empower and elevate leaders in the very education systems serving those communities. Founder and CEO Carmita Semaan's vision—born from "impatience" with the dearth of leadership of color at decision-making tables—has become a national movement. Ten years of proven impact, rigorous programming, and deep community partnership have positioned Surge as the preeminent pipeline addressing a critical gap in education leadership.

And here's what makes NewSchools’ commitment different: They're not just writing checks and walking away. They're providing Surge with grant funding and management assistance, and connecting us to a peer community cohort that supports us as we realize our boldest visions.

Unrestricted Growth Capital: Trust in Action

Think about what it means when a funder believes in you enough to provide unrestricted support. No strings. No narrow program requirements. Just trust that you know your community, you understand the need, and you have the vision to meet that need in ways others haven't imagined.

That's the NewSchools approach. Their goal is to strengthen our capacity to serve our communities while building evidence of the long-term impact of this kind of growth -capital support. They understand that sustainable change requires flexibility, room to innovate, and the freedom to respond to what our communities actually need—not what looks good in a grant proposal.

What This Means for Black and Brown Educational Leadership

For those of us committed to developing Black and Brown educational leaders, this partnership represents more than resources. It's validation. It's a statement that the work of centering diverse voices in education leadership isn't just important—it's essential and worthy of significant investment.

NewSchools sees what we see: that transforming education means investing in leaders who reflect and understand the communities they serve. Leaders who bring lived experience, cultural competence, and an unshakeable commitment to equity. Leaders who won't just work within broken systems but will reimagine and rebuild them from the inside out.

From the Frontlines to the Future

Every day, our Surge fellows are on the frontlines—leading schools, transforming district policies, launching innovative programs, and proving what's possible when you invest in homegrown leadership. 

With NewSchools standing alongside us, we're not just sustaining this work; we're scaling it. We’ll be able to enhance our recruitment efforts with expanded community events, broader outreach initiatives, and increased scholarship opportunities—ensuring we can identify and support talented Black and Latinx education leaders across our Fellowship and Academy programs. We're building the infrastructure to do this deeper, wider, and with greater long-term impact.

This is what real partnership looks like. This is what happens when vision meets capital, when courage meets commitment, when community needs meet institutional will.

The Charge Continues

As we move forward together, we're reminded that none of us can do this work alone. Surge Institute exists because people believed in the power of investing in leaders from the communities they serve. NewSchools exemplifies that belief in action—bridging gaps, building capacity, and betting on the people brave enough to lead change from exactly where they stand.

To our fellows, our alumni, our partners, and our communities: This investment isn't just in Surge Institute. It's in you. In your leadership. In your communities. In the future you're building for the next generation.

The charge is ours to lead. And we're not leading alone.

Surge Institute develops Black and Brown leaders to drive equity and excellence in education. Through our partnership with NewSchools, we're strengthening our capacity to serve our communities and building sustainable pathways for transformational leadership. Learn more about our work at surgeinstitute.org.

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