About Us
Bellwether is a national nonprofit, founded in 2010, that works to ensure young people — especially those furthest from opportunity — achieve outcomes that lead to fulfilling lives and flourishing communities. Our vision is that all young people have access to an excellent education and live lives filled with opportunity.
We partner with leaders and organizations to deepen and accelerate their impact. Our work spans early childhood through postsecondary and career pathways, and aims to develop and amplify the insights, innovations, and ideas necessary to advance educational options in this country.
Our Mission
Our mission is to transform education to ensure young people — especially those furthest from opportunity — achieve outcomes that lead to fulfilling lives and flourishing communities by:
- Supporting mission-driven clients – from school systems and public agencies to nonprofits and philanthropies – as they navigate tough decisions.
- Informing the field with clear insights and bold ideas.
- Bringing leaders together to learn, connect, and drive change.
Our Work
We partner with leaders and organizations – from traditional districts and charter schools, to public and state agencies, to foundations and nonprofits – to deepen and accelerate their impact. Our work spans early childhood through postsecondary and career pathways, and aims to develop and amplify the insights, innovations, and ideas necessary to advance educational opportunity across the country.
We help our clients and the sector tackle challenges from many angles – strategic planning, policy development, evaluation, implementation support, change management, convenings, and more – to help shape a brighter future for young people.
Our Partners
We’ve partnered with more than 800 clients across the country since our founding in 2010, in some of the nation’s largest cities and in rural areas. Our partners include individual schools, charter networks, traditional school districts, state education agencies, regional intermediaries, funders, advocacy organizations, and nonprofits.
At Bellwether, we choose to work with organizations and leaders who share our commitment to improving education for all young people — particularly those furthest from opportunity.
Our Experts
We’re a passionate and viewpoint-diverse team with experience leading education organizations, advising teams across the public and private sectors, and generating leading-edge research. We’re mission driven and visionary. We’ve previously served as teachers and educators, school and district leaders, policymakers, government officials, and founders. We bring a deep understanding of the critical and evolving issues that education practitioners face. We apply that knowledge every day in partnership with clients and more broadly to help lead the field forward.
Our Impact
We’ve shaped critical conversations across the sector through dozens of publications, resources, and commentary pieces. We deliver timely analysis for leaders and policymakers on the most pressing issues of the day, anchored in real-world insights from our work on the ground with partners. Our external work also builds our expertise, allowing us to support clients with even better information and insights — a virtuous cycle that dramatically expands our reach and sets Bellwether apart from typical education “think tanks.”
Featured In:
Our Core Values
Bellwether’s core values shape how we work with clients, the field, and with one another. Along with our mission, they keep us headed toward our goals when the context around us is shifting.
Mission Mindset
Our mission guides everything we do, from the people we hire to the clients and projects we support. To achieve our mission, we must design systems — within and outside Bellwether — that work for everyone, regardless of background or identity.
Tailored Excellence
We develop customized, innovative, and practical solutions with an unwavering focus on quality. We listen first, assess evidence, and tailor approaches to meet the moment.
Flexibility
We believe flexibility and excellence go hand in hand. We expect excellence in outcomes, and we trust our colleagues’ judgment on how to achieve them.
Synergy
We believe the whole of our organization is greater than the sum of its parts. Our team’s wide-ranging experience and expertise make our work better and provide unique value to the sector.
Integrity
We exemplify the highest standards of individual and organizational ethics. We protect client confidentiality and are transparent in how we share information with clients, the field, and the public.
Curiosity
We believe curiosity drives learning and sharpens insights. We ask questions, engage with perspectives that challenge our own, and seek insights from our colleagues, partners, and the communities we serve. Our work is stronger because our team reflects a range of experiences, identities, and viewpoints.
Candor With Care
We believe open, honest conversation, paired with trusting relationships, is vital to our work and growth. We respectfully and proactively address frustrations, disagreements, and unexpected hurdles with one another and with partners and external stakeholders.
Partner With Us
We partner with a wide range of clients — from large-scale foundations to school districts to nonprofits to mission-driven companies. Let’s work together to transform education.
