2026 InnovateEDU Annual Impact Overview
Erin Mote, InnovateEDU CEO
When I think about measuring impact at InnovateEDU, I rarely start with the numbers on a page; I look at our core values in action. Systemic change—the kind that fundamentally alters the landscape for the better—is not a quick endeavor. It requires early, often unglamorous investments in communities and connections where the yield doesn't materialize in 12 months. Yet, those long-term investments build a cavalry. We see this enduring commitment in initiatives like Data Whiz and Project Unicorn, both of which proudly celebrate their 10-year anniversaries this year. When we need to act, defend, or accelerate, that cavalry is there.
This work breathes life into one of our deepest manifesto principles: finding that 80% of shared reality across disparate systems and using it to forge uncommon alliances. It’s about challenging ourselves, and our sector, to step out of our silos and find common ground for the common good. At a time when reaching across the aisle is sometimes met with distaste and criticism, we built bridges for online safety, new pathways for tutors and principals, led a national movement on AI literacy, and advanced evidence-based EdTech that moved the needle for communities, our ecosystem, and most importantly, kids and educators in classrooms.
This past year, InnovateEDU was called to do things I never imagined we would tackle. The challenges were immense, and frankly, there were moments when I felt incredibly tired and frustrated (a mix between being hopped up on Nespresso and licorice and fatigue from the red-eye). Yet, knowing I have a fiercely dedicated team who can execute and step into the breach is a powerful source of motivation for me and a testament to what we have built together.
As we continue to grow, we have to make tough decisions to ensure our sustainability and focus. As we have engaged in our next 3-year strategic planning process, we have done just that. We are committed to keeping our team lean, rightsizing projects and roles, and continuing to deeply invest in our people. Fundamentally, our impact aims to build capacity for connection, centering human wisdom—the lived experiences and invaluable insights of students, communities, industry leaders, policymakers, and educators.
Dismantling systemic challenges to build a truly equitable, human-centered education ecosystem is not work we can do in a vacuum. This annual overview is, above all, a reflection of gratitude. To our extraordinary partners—the educators on the ground, the education leaders making difficult decisions every day, the policymakers, our industry partners, and community champions—and to the visionary funders who generously sustain and believe in this mission: thank you. Your trust, your insights, and your intentional collaboration are the true engines of this transformation.
Expanding our Impact: We grew our collaborative community to nearly 4,000 engaged partners across all projects.
Driving the Conversation: We hosted more than 120 convenings, bringing diverse voices to the table to solve our most complex challenges. We are making more seats at the table to empower communities, educators, families, and students.
Equipping the Field: We produced and shared almost 400 vital, actionable resources. That’s right, more than 1 resource per day.
Empowering Practice: We delivered just over 730 hours of critical technical assistance directly to districts, states, and industry stakeholders.
This is what impact looks like when we align our efforts, share our resources, and commit to the common good. This is what it looks like when we build and foster trust, invest in each other, and meet challenges together. Thank you for standing alongside us and building a better future for every learner.
-Erin Mote, InnovateEDU CEO