Empowering Authentic Human Development
One Idea Foundation is transforming education by equipping schools, districts, and community groups with the resources and programs needed to create Market-Ready graduates prepared to thrive in the real world.
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Welcome to OIF
The One Idea Foundation (OIF) believes that a single idea has the power to change the world. By ensuring students graduate Market-Ready, we empower them to chase their dreams with confidence and purpose.
A Mission for Change
We believe every student deserves access to powerful educational opportunities that set them up for success. By partnering with schools, community organizations, and industry leaders, OIF is breaking down financial barriers and ensuring institutions can provide students with the future they deserve through the Learn to Start solution.
Removing the Opportunity Gap
OIF provides need-based funding for schools to secure sustainable resources that ensure the successful implementation and lasting impact of Market-Ready education solutions like the Learn to Start program.
Identifying Need
McKinsey & Company’s research shows that many industries report a lack of "future-proof" skills, with up to 40% of employers feeling that current graduates are not prepared for the workforce.
A report by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce states that only 14% of low-income students complete degrees or certifications that correlate with higher-paying jobs.
Research by the Education Trust found that providing scholarships and funding for skill-building programs at high-need schools led to higher college and career readiness rates among participating students.
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) highlights that students involved in hands-on, project-based learning are more likely to graduate and to pursue high-demand fields.
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Join us in empowering students with the education, opportunities, and skills they need to take control of their futures and make a lasting impact on the world by making the Learn to Start solution available to everyone.
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Driving A Powerful Learning Solution for Change
OIF is driving the expansion of groundbreaking models of human development through the Market-Ready education program Learn to Start by making it more accessible and affordable for schools and communities across the U.S. and beyond—empowering the next generation to thrive.
Closing a Massive Gap between Industry and Education
By building and sustaining strong education and industry partnerships, OIF drives support for the Learn to Start solution and Market-Ready initiatives in schools and communities, tackling the massive skills gap facing graduates as they enter the workforce.
A Partnership with Communities Everywhere
OIF forges dynamic partnerships with private corporations, foundations, and government organizations to channel their resources into education, driving real, sustainable change and bridging the massive skills gap in today’s workforce.
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Meet Our Leaders
Gary Conroy
“Education must change if we expect to protect the future of our planet. We must develop people who are skilled to take on the endeavors and problems facing our world. Moreover, we must narrow the massive equity gap that currently exists in education throughout the globe.
At the One Idea Foundation, our mission is clear: to bring real and sustainable solutions to education to ensure as many people as possible get access to a transformative model of human development – one that builds the outcomes of empowerment, performance and wellness in every student we serve.”
“As a former college instructor and reading specialist, I’ve seen first hand the challenges that students face after graduation. Students need an opportunity to understand their strengths and passions so that they can enter the job market prepared.
The One Idea Foundation is committed to bridging the gap between academic learning and the skills valued by Industry. OIF ensures that all students have the opportunity to achieve their full potential and shape a brighter future for themselves and their communities.”
Melissa Clark
Hear from Melissa Clark, OIF's President & CEO
Publications, press releases, posts
