Education Design Lab Receives Transformative $6 Million Grant from MacKenzie Scott Investment

The Education Design Lab, a non-profit organization at the forefront of designing education-to-workforce pathways, announced a monumental $6 million grant from MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving Foundation.

This grant, the largest unrestricted donation in the Lab’s history, marks a pivotal moment in its decade-long dedication to creating innovative, equitable, and accessible learning opportunities that align with the evolving needs of the workforce.

This substantial financial infusion comes at a crucial time when the landscape of employment and education is rapidly changing. Traditional degree prerequisites are being reconsidered by employers nationwide, reflecting a growing emphasis on skills and competencies over formal qualifications. A striking shift observed in 2022 showed a significant rise in job listings on LinkedIn not requiring a college degree, up from 20% in 2019 to 29%. This trend underscores the urgent need for alternative educational pathways that cater to the “New Majority Learners” – individuals for whom the conventional four-year degree may not be feasible or preferred.

Bill Hughes, President and CEO of Education Design Lab, expressed gratitude for the grant, acknowledging it as a validation of the organization’s efforts to reimagine postsecondary education for marginalized learners. The Lab’s initiatives have consistently focused on supporting diverse learner demographics, including people of color, veterans, low-income individuals, and those with non-traditional educational backgrounds.

The Yield Giving Foundation’s grant will empower the Lab to expand its impactful programs across the United States, such as the Community College Growth Engine (CCGE) initiative. Since its inception in 2020, the CCGE has collaborated with over 60 community colleges to develop more than 100 employer-endorsed micro-pathways, offering stackable credentials that pave the way to meaningful employment within a year or less.

Mike Macklin, Associate Vice Chancellor for Workforce Partnerships and Development of the Colorado Community College System, lauded the Education Design Lab for its innovative approach to bridging education with workforce demands. He emphasized the importance of adaptable institutions that can swiftly respond to the changing needs of learners and the economy.

The Education Design Lab’s decade of collaboration with over 1,200 institutions and 1,000 employers has been instrumental in forging new models of work-based learning that prioritize equity and access. This latest grant from MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving Foundation is set to further amplify the Lab’s efforts, ensuring that more learners can access opportunities for economic mobility and career advancement.

About Education Design Lab:

The Education Design Lab is a national non-profit that pioneers the development of education-to-workforce models. Through a human-centered design process, the Lab works to understand learners’ experiences, close equity gaps in postsecondary education, and facilitate connections to economic mobility. Its mission is to co-design, prototype, and test innovative solutions that cater to the changing landscape of learning and work.