Interested in joining? If your foundation would like to participate in the Foundation Registry i3, please contact us at help@foundationregistryi3.org.

There is no cost to use the Foundation Registry. Not all organizations that register a proposal will be contacted or funded.

The Foundation Registry i3 was designed to make the matching funds process more approachable for organizations pursuing a Department of Education Investing in Innovation proposal. Rather than navigating a maze of separate foundation requirements, applicants could register once and become viewable to a wide network of participating foundations. The platform offered a simple, step-by-step guide that walked organizations through uploading their documents, saving their progress, and returning later to refine their submission. This accessible approach helped applicants focus on crafting a strong grant project instead of getting lost in administrative hurdles, making the entire matching process feel manageable and welcoming from the very first visit.

For foundations, the registry provided a streamlined way to discover promising i3 projects seeking matching support. By participating in this centralized system, foundations could review registered proposals in a consistent, organized format and identify initiatives that aligned with their own giving priorities. The registry served as a bridge, connecting philanthropic organizations with innovative education programs that might otherwise have remained outside their usual reach. This collaborative model benefited both sides of the partnership, as foundations gained visibility into a curated pool of vetted applicants while organizations gained access to funding partners who were already familiar with the i3 program's goals and requirements.

Throughout its active years, the registry grew to include a substantial number of member foundations, reflecting the strong interest in supporting education innovation at the local and national levels. While the program's active period has passed, the model it established remains a useful reference for how centralized matching registries can simplify the grant-seeking experience. Organizations today can still learn from the approach, understanding that a clear, guided process with accessible documentation and consistent communication can make a meaningful difference in whether a proposal moves forward. The emphasis on simplicity, transparency, and collaboration continues to resonate with anyone working to connect education projects with the funding they need.