"We believe that when data is accessible, well-understood, and actively used, it becomes a powerful tool for driving student achievement and fostering meaningful family engagement. The Thrive Big Ideas Challenge is a call to action for innovators to bridge the student information gap by blending digital and human approaches, and create a driving force that helps unlock the power of every learner."
- Christina Heitz, Founder and CEO, Cambiar Education
Let’s Change the Way K-12 Data Works for Students and Caregivers
By bringing together an extraordinary group of organizations and leaders to address the critical need for more - and actionable - information sharing with students and caregivers, the Thrive Big Ideas Challenge aims to profoundly boost student learning, ultimately giving them the agency to support their lifelong growth and shape their futures.
Do you have a groundbreaking idea on how to provide students and/or caregivers with easy-to-obtain, meaningful, and actionable information about their student’s K-12 education and development?
Apply now for a $100,000 grant. A subset of grantees will be eligible for $250,000+ in follow-on funding.
The Thrive Challenge seeks applicants whose big ideas are designed to improve student outcomes and collect evidence to show if students see gains—academic and beyond—when they and/or caregivers are more engaged. The ability to track and assess quantitative and qualitative results and how students and/or caregivers are taking action as a result of the solution is a key component for the Thrive Challenge. Insight into how and and why the solution is used and what needs improvement enables productive and ongoing feedback loops, making the solutions more effective throughout and long after the grant.
Selected organizations will join one of two distinct tracks:
- Student Track: Grantees that equip students with greater insight into their own data and ways students can use it to take action and make decisions.
- Caregiver Track: Grantees that equip parents and caregivers with innovative and scalable tools to better understand and support their children’s learning journeys.
We can’t wait to learn about your big idea!
Warmly,
The Cambiar Thrive Team
To begin your Application, click on “Apply Now" at the bottom of this page.
- If you don’t have a Submittable account, you will be asked to create a free one
- You can save a draft of your work to finish filling out the form later
- Be sure to safelist notification emails from Submittable to receive updates on your application
Important note: The person’s name on the application should be for a leader of the organization who can represent the organization in an interview.
Applications are due by 11:59 pm Pacific Time on Sunday, August 31, 2025.
Eligibility criteria:
To apply for the Thrive Big Ideas Challenge, your organization must meet these criteria.
- U.S. Operations: Organization is legally operating in the United States
- Mission-Aligned: Program or product helps students and/or caregivers access, engage with, or act on student data
Strong applications will demonstrate:
- A clearly defined problem that is both compelling and supported by data, research, or community insight.
- A high-potential, scalable solution that is fresh, practical, and grounded in community needs.
- Commitment to real-world impact that demonstrates a vision for what’s possible if this solution succeeds at scale.
- Leadership and readiness from a founder or leader who has the credibility, insight, and early traction to pursue this work effectively.
We are excited to learn about your vision — and how you’ll move us closer to a world where every student and caregiver has the information they need to help students thrive.
For your convenience, we have included a link to the full application questions here.
- Check out our Frequently Asked Questions
- Email us at ThriveGrant@cambiareducation.org and we will respond within three business days
- For Technical Questions, see the Submitter Resource Center or contact Submittable Applicant Support