Innovating Charter School Talent:
EdFuel's $3.1M Federal Grant to Transform Charter School Workforce Systems
EdFuel has been awarded $3.1 million from the U.S. Department of Education’s Charter Schools Program (CSP) to launch a five-year national initiative designed to boost teacher and leader retention across innovative charter schools.
This award is the largest in the 2025 CSP Model Development and Dissemination competition and recognizes EdFuel’s proven, mission-aligned approach to designing talent systems that help educators thrive.
Eligibility: Who Can Apply
Schools must meet CSP eligibility requirements. Participating schools will:
Be charter schools operating in FL, IN, MO, TN, or TX
- Represent innovative school models such as:
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- Classical & civics programs
- STEM/computer science
- Career & technical education (CTE)
- Models serving students with unique needs (e.g., rural, military-connected, students with disabilities, Native American students)
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- Demonstrate commitment to recruiting, developing & retaining educators
- Be ready to engage in cohort learning & coaching
What Participants Receive
Each Participating Charter School
- 30+ hours of expert coaching & technical assistance
- Five structured cohort learning sessions annually
- Customized tools, diagnostics & blueprints aligned to school stage
- Projected 5–10%+ staff retention gains
- Savings of $50,000+ per year due to improved retention
Ecosystem Partners
- Dissemination & policy alignment opportunities
- Access to Innovation Lab tools & research
- Case studies across diverse innovative models (classical & civics programs, STEM/computer science, CTE, rural areas, students with disabilities, etc.)
- Free intensive capacity-building support for a subset of schools in your portfolio
Why This Grant Matters
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Exceptional educators are the heart of thriving schools. Yet across the country, charter schools — particularly those serving historically marginalized communities — face persistently high turnover and a lack of systemic support for developing and retaining diverse talent.
With this grant, EdFuel will:
- Equip schools with sustainable talent systems designed for the future
- Support leaders in building cultures where educators grow and persist
- Share tools and learning nationally to strengthen the entire charter sector
- Ensure schools innovating for students can also innovate for their people
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When educators stay, students soar. This initiative ensures more students experience stable, supportive, high-quality learning environments year after year.
Exceptional educators are the heart of thriving schools. Yet across the country, charter schools — particularly those serving historically marginalized communities — face persistently high turnover and a lack of systemic support for developing and retaining diverse talent.
With this grant, EdFuel will:
- Equip schools with sustainable talent systems designed for the future
- Support leaders in building cultures where educators grow and persist
- Share tools and learning nationally to strengthen the entire charter sector
- Ensure schools innovating for students can also innovate for their people
When educators stay, students soar. This initiative ensures more students experience stable, supportive, high-quality learning environments year after year.
Think your school is eligible?
Fill out the interest form below to get started.