Frequently Asked Questions
All applicants are encouraged to review our comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions section before beginning the application process. The FAQ section has been organized by subject matter for your convenience:
- Description of Incubator
- Eligibility
- Selection Process
- After the Selection Process
- Charter Schools in Indianapolis
What is the Charter School Incubator?
The Charter School Incubator is an initiative of The Mind Trust designed to launch the highest-quality public charter schools that will develop into large networks across Indianapolis. Through a highly selective, nationwide recruitment and awards process, The Mind Trust’s Charter School Incubator will provide $1 million in start-up funding to 3-5 teams in the first round of applications. The catalytic effect of this Incubator will be the launch of 15-20 of life-changing public schools in Indianapolis over the next 5 years, serving thousands of Indianapolis students.
What is a charter incubator?
Charter incubators are parts of organizations dedicated to building the supply of high-quality public charter schools and charter school networks without engaging directly in school management. The specific activities of the few existing incubators nationally vary, but all provide one or more of the following: recruitment, selection, training, support, monitoring, and evaluation of promising school leaders as they open and lead new charter schools or charter school networks. The Mind Trust’s Charter School Incubator will focus primarily on identifying top-quality candidates from a variety of locales and backgrounds to launch rapidly expanding charter networks: through its highly selective awards process, it will bring top national talent to Indianapolis to rapidly build the supply of high-performing charter schools. Because of The Mind Trust’s deep connections throughout Indianapolis, the Charter School Incubator will also play a critical role in supporting new charter school networks connect to the local community. Awardees will receive support through the charter approval process, building local boards, securing facilities and facilities financing, and raising resources and organizational profile.
Why is the Charter School Incubator needed in Indianapolis?
Despite the infusion of new teaching and school leadership talent into the city over the past four years, Indianapolis’ top-performing charter schools have not yet been able to provide enough spaces to meet the demand from students or to meet the need for high-quality options for students enrolled in persistently low-performing schools. Through the Charter School Incubator, the city will see the opening of 15-20 excellent, new public school options over the next five years.
What type of training and support is provided through the Charter School Incubator?
The Mind Trust will use its relationships and knowledge of the community to ensure that the start-up teams successfully launch and scale their school models in Indianapolis. The Incubator will provide awards to outstanding candidates, many of whom will have experience in launching and/or expanding highly-successful organizations and therefore do not require a formal training program. However, the Mind Trust will provide significant support to awardees in the areas of authorizing, board development, facilities, financing, and networking by connecting teams to local and national experts who can provide guidance in areas where teams need support.
Who employs Charter School Incubator grant recipients?
Members of winning teams will be founders and executives of their own non-profit organizations, not employees of The Mind Trust’s Charter School Incubator.
What is the total award for the Charter School Incubator?
For each team, the total award is $1 million, with $250,000 awarded up front and the remaining award funds paid as the team meets established benchmarks. In very special circumstances, awards could exceed $1 million.
Will the Charter School Incubator oversee and evaluate award winners’ work over time?
Award winners will be held strictly accountable for meeting a series of benchmarks during the grant period that will be negotiated with The Mind Trust. Start-up teams will meet with an accountability committee regularly during the first two years to assess progress toward benchmarks and identify areas for improvement and will meet subsequently as needed.
Does an applicant’s idea for a new charter program remain the applicant’s intellectual property?
Yes. Applicants’ ideas and school design remain their own during and after the application process.
Will my application to The Mind Trust’s Charter School Incubator remain confidential?
Yes. The Mind Trust will keep all applicants and application information confidential through the selection process. Expert reviewers who assist in the selection process sign confidentiality agreements.