Corporations, Chambers, and Charters: How Businesses Can Support High-Quality Public Charter Schools

This guide for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools captures recent developments in the charter sector and the advice of business leaders, leading donors, and partners on how businesspeople and chamber leaders can support high-quality charter schools, both in their local communities and on a national scale. This guide builds on the lessons philanthropists (including successful business leaders) have learned that will be particularly applicable to the business community. Businesses will find information throughout the guide not only on corporate financial giving, but also on developing meaningful partnerships and volunteer opportunities with schools, creating a welcoming policy environment for charters, and leveraging the skills and talents employees already possess for the benefit of charter public education. The report recommends that businesses and chambers work to strengthen charter schools in the following ways:

• Build a robust supply of high-quality new schools in the communities that need them;
• Fuel the pipeline of teachers and leaders needed to operate the schools;
• Address critical operational challenges the schools face;
• Forge charter-friendly public policies through state and local lawmaking.