Research Brief Series - Twenty Years of Education Funding in the U.S. - Literacy Funding Trends (2003-2023)

Oct 15, 2026

Research brief on U.S. education funding trends across the past twenty years, focusing on literacy. Grantmakers for Education conducted a comprehensive scan by collecting and analyzing new data and licensed information from Candid’s Foundation Directory. The brief highlights changes in literacy education support from 2003 to 2023, including a notable decline in reading scores during COVID-19 and substantial growth in literacy funding from 2004–2008 through 2019–2023. Analysis spans six months in 2024–2025.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Research overview

Data sources and methods

Literacy trends and funding changes (2004-2008 to 2019-2023)

Literacy funding by year (2019-2023)

Grantmakers for Education context

Purpose and engagement

FOCUS RESEARCH BRIEF SERIES: TWENTY YEARS OF EDUCATION FUNDING IN THE U.S. Grantmakers for Education engaged in several projects in the past two years to understand philanthropic priorities, approaches and investments in education, historical and current. By collecting and analyzing new data as well as analyzing data available through a licensed database, we conducted a comprehensive scan. This research brief is produced as part of this scan and is one of a series that shares information on giving patterns in education over the past twenty years among foundations and other grantmakers, from 2003 to 2023. Giving data was sourced from Candid’s Foundation Directory. The analysis presented in this brief was conducted over a six-month period in 2024 and 2025. The stagnant reading scores of students across the U.S., particularly the significant decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, have profoundly impacted literacy trends and education. Accordingly, philanthropic support for literacy education in elementary and secondary education has steadily increased during the past 20 years. Literacy funding grew significantly between the 2004–2008 and 2019–2023 periods, rising from $367.7 million to $1.3 trillion. Notably, from 2019 to 2023, funding for literacy increased by over 50%, rising from $204.3 million to $329.2 million. 20 Years of Funding for Literacy 2004-2008 2009-2013 2014-2018 2019-2023 $367 .7M $477 . 1M $808 .5M $1 .3B Literacy Funding Over the Last Five Years (2019-2023) 2019 | $204 .3M 2020 | $194 . 1M 2021 | $270 .5M 2022 | $355 .3M 2023 | $239 .2M As the leading network for education philanthropy, Grantmakers for Education offers an unparalleled platform for learning, collaboration and influence – backed by front-line sector research, exclusive insights and a vibrant community of peers. We believe in the value of philanthropy as a catalytic partner in creating a just world. For more information, please contact us at [information@edfunders.org](information@edfunders.org). Giving data was sourced from Candid’s licensed database, Foundation Directory Online. According to Candid, data are “compiled from IRS information returns, grantmaker web sites, annual reports, printed application guidelines, the philanthropic press and various other sources. In all, Candid’s editorial staff continually monitors more than 35 diverse information sources” and frequently updates the database. A full description of the Foundation Directory’s sources may be found here: [https://help.candid.org/s/](https://help.candid.org/s/)[ ](https://help.candid.org/s/)[article/Where-does-Candid-get-its-data](article/Where-does-Candid-get-its-data. The classification system Candid employs for coding grants may)[.](article/Where-does-Candid-get-its-data. The classification system Candid employs for coding grants may)[ The classification system Candid employs for coding grants may](article/Where-does-Candid-get-its-data. The classification system Candid employs for coding grants may) be found here: [https://taxonomy.candid.org/](https://taxonomy.candid.org/) . GRANT MAKERS FOR EDUCATION | IGNITE POS SIBI LT Y .

FAQs

What is the scope of this research brief on education funding?

It summarizes giving patterns in education over the past twenty years among foundations and other grantmakers, covering 2003 to 2023.

Which data sources were used for the analysis?

Giving data were sourced from Candid’s Foundation Directory, including its licensed database, Foundation Directory Online.

How did literacy funding change from 2004–2008 to 2019–2023?

Literacy funding grew from $367.7 million to $1.3 trillion, with funding in 2019–2023 increasing by over 50% from $204.3 million to $329.2 million.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Aria Callaghan