First-of-its-Kind Microlending Program Enables Educators to Access Capital to Start Their Own Schools

School financer Building Hope and philanthropic organization Stand Together Trust launch a new microloan program designed to give educator entrepreneurs start-up capital to open innovative, small school models.

WASHINGTON, July 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Building Hope, the non-profit leader in school facilities, financing, and services, and Stand Together Trust, part of the Stand Together philanthropic community, today announced the launch of the first-of-its-kind Microschool Loan Program, a loan fund designed to support early-stage microschools founders with flexible, affordable capital. Building Hope will lead program implementation with an initial $675,000 in philanthropic support from Stand Together Trust and the Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation.

In the last several years, microschools -- often small, hyper-personalized, teacher-led schools that typically serve up to 100 students -- have become one of the fastest growing new models of education. The National Microschooling Center estimates that microschools now serve around one million students in the U.S. today. 

"Microlending has enabled local entrepreneurs and small business owners to revitalize main streets across America. But in education, would-be school founders lack the kind of flexible, early-stage capital that helps small businesses everywhere get off the ground," said Bill Hansen, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education and CEO of Building Hope. "We believe families and local communities need a diverse range of education models to ensure every child's needs are met. Microschools are an important part of that vision—nimble, community-rooted, and designed to serve students in new and innovative ways. This fund is about creating a financial on-ramp for educators shaping the future of learning—one neighborhood at a time."

The new loan fund is structured to support prospective school founders—many of whom are educators or community leaders—with capital ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. These loans are intended to support key startup needs including curriculum development, licensing, facilities, staffing, and marketing. To meet the criteria of the Microschool Loan Program, founders must adopt sound business practices, financial systems, and operational standards similar to other small business founders.

"By providing accessible, flexible capital, we're not just helping founders open doors—we're laying the financial groundwork that allows this sector to scale responsibly, adopt sound business practices, and ultimately serve more families," said Raphael Gang, Director of Education at Stand Together Trust. "Building Hope has been a pioneer in enabling the creation of new charter schools over the last two decades, and they bring an unmatched knowledge of school financing, facilities, and operations.  They're the obvious organization to support the professionalization of a movement that's already transforming education from the ground up." 

Recognizing the diversity of models in the space, the Microschool Loan Program is open to a broad range of school types, including learning centers, hybrid schools, co-ops, and more. Schools eligible for loans must be in operation or planning to launch in Fall 2025, have plans to serve between 10 and 100 students in the 2025-26 school year, and show verification of registration for-profit or nonprofit business, enrollment, liability insurance and a signed commercial lease.

To date, over 200 founders have already indicated their intent to apply for a loan through the program.

The application for entrepreneurs seeking a Microschool Loan will go live on July 7, 2025 and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. To learn more about eligibility and access to the application, visit: https://buildinghope.org/microloanprogram

About Building Hope
Building Hope is a national nonprofit that empowers advancements in education through our work with charter schools providing unparalleled facility financing, real estate development, and operational services. We believe a facility should never be the barrier preventing a child from attending a great school. During our 20-year history, Building Hope has supported over $2 billion in the development of school facilities. For more information, visit www.buildinghope.org.  

About Stand Together Trust
Stand Together Trust is a grantmaking organization that supports bottom-up solutions by empowering people through key institutions like business, communities, education, and government. We connect social entrepreneurs and policy innovators with resources—funding, incubation, talent, and strategic support—to accelerate their impact. As part of the Stand Together community, Stand Together Trust tackles the root causes of our country's toughest challenges, from education and economic opportunity to health care and bridging divides. Learn more at  standtogethertrust.org. 

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SOURCE Building Hope