Depth vs. Scale: Rethinking Funding Models for Transformational Education

Creating economic opportunity for all starts with equitable access to quality education. Christel House International, a global nonprofit transforming lives through education, has demonstrated that comprehensive, high-investment models can drive significant student outcomes and break intergenerational poverty cycles. However, sustaining and scaling these efforts is increasingly difficult as funders often prioritize big-bet, moonshot innovations, and/or rapid-scaling initiatives over deep, place-based investments that take time to yield long-term impact.

This session will explore the tension between funder preferences for scale and the reality that transformational education models often require sustained, resource-intensive engagement to be successful. Participants will engage in a collaborative discussion on how education organizations can navigate this challenge, advocate for investment in high-touch, long-term interventions, and secure the necessary funding to sustain and expand programs that drive true economic mobility.

Together, we’ll explore:
• How education can serve as a catalyst for economic mobility and community transformation.
• The financial and structural barriers to sustaining high-impact, deeply embedded education initiatives.
• Strategies for shifting funder mindsets to recognize the value of depth alongside scale.
• Innovative funding mechanisms and cross-sector collaborations that support the long-term sustainability of education models.

This discussion-driven meet-up is designed for those passionate about education, economic justice, and sustainable impact. Join us for a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities of using education to drive equitable economic prosperity.

Serving more than 7,000 students, in Mexico, South Africa, India, Jamaica, and the United States, Christel House International offers a holistic, long-term educational model that equips young people (aged 5-23) with the skills and opportunities to achieve economic mobility. Impressively, 95% of recent alumni are employed or enrolled in higher education or trade school.