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Legislative Priorities
- Protect and Strengthen Federal Investments in Public Education
- Support
the Whole Child: Early Learning, Afterschool, and Mental Health
- Invest
in Educators and Workforce Development
- Ensure
Strong Protections and Funding for Students with Disabilities
- Empower
Local Education Foundations as Partners in Innovation
- Advance
Responsible and Innovative Use of Artificial Intelligence in Education
Legislative Updates
NAEF Meeting with the U.S. Department of Labor
February 11, 2026
During NAEF’s recent visit to Washington, DC, NAEF leaders also met with representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor to discuss the growing importance of workforce development partnerships and the role education foundations play in connecting schools, employers, and communities.
The conversation focused on how education foundations help facilitate collaborative public-private partnerships that expand workforce initiatives, provide students with career exposure and real-world learning opportunities, and help align education pathways with regional workforce needs. These discussions highlighted the value of cross-sector collaboration in preparing students for in-demand careers while strengthening local economies and expanding opportunity for learners across the country.
NAEF looks forward to continuing these nonpartisan conversations focused on partnership, innovation, and expanding workforce opportunities for students.
Photo (left to right): Megan Paat, Crystal Scanio, Derrick Lindsay, Rock Hill City Council Member | Board Member, The Foundation for Rock Hill Schools, Keisha Lightner, Board Chair, The Foundation for Rock Hill Schools, Mike Taylor, and Shannon Hancock
NAEF Advocacy Visit to Washington, DC
February 10, 2026
On February 10 and 11, members of the NAEF Board of Directors were joined by leaders from NAEF member foundations in Washington, DC for a second round of meetings with legislators to advocate for strong support of public education and to share the impact education foundations are making in communities across the country.
Conversations focused on federal education funding, the Scholarship Granting Organizations tax credit, and the important role education foundations play in supporting innovation, student opportunity, and community partnerships. These meetings provided an opportunity to elevate the collective voice of education foundations and to highlight how local philanthropy and community engagement strengthen public schools and improve student outcomes.
NAEF remains committed to thoughtful, nonpartisan advocacy that supports students, educators, and communities while ensuring education foundations continue to serve as strong partners in advancing public education nationwide.
Photo (left to right): Josh Wetzel, Department of Labor, Keisha Lightner, Board Chair, The Foundation for Rock Hill Schools, Megan Paat, Shannon Hancock, Mike Taylor, Troy Selberg, Crystal Scanio, Danielle Vale, Department of Labor
SGO Tax Credit Legislation
December 31, 2025
Download the letter below that was submitted to the Treasury during the comment period on the SGO tax credit legislation.
November 30, 2025
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Departments of Labor and Education today announced new interagency agreements to break up the federal education bureaucracy, ensure efficient delivery of funded programs, and move closer to fulfilling the President’s promise to return education to the states. By partnering with agencies that are best positioned to deliver results for students and taxpayers, these agreements will streamline federal education activities on the legally required programs, reduce administrative burdens, and refocus programs and activities to better serve students and grantees.
The new partnerships mark a major step toward improving the management of select Education programs by leveraging partner agencies’ administrative expertise and experience working with relevant stakeholders. These agreements follow a successful workforce development partnership signed with the Labor Department earlier this year, which has created an integrated federal education and workforce system and reduced the need for states to consult multiple federal agencies to effectively manage their programs.