Funds For Learning
Funds For Learning, founded in 1997 and headquartered in Edmond, Oklahoma, is a privately held firm that helps US K-12 schools, districts, libraries, and consortia navigate the federal E-rate broadband funding program via its E-rate Manager® SaaS platform, expert consulting, training, and policy advocacy.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersEdmond, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Funds For Learning does
Funds For Learning, LLC is a privately held professional services and SaaS firm founded in 1997 and headquartered in Edmond, Oklahoma. The company specializes exclusively in the federal E-rate program, which provides up to $3.9 billion annually in discounts on broadband services for US schools and libraries. Its client base spans K-12 schools, school districts, public libraries, library systems, and consortia, supplemented by data subscriptions sold to E-rate service providers, manufacturers, state coordinators, and policymakers. The founder and CEO, John D. Harrington, has led the firm continuously since inception and is a recognized industry figure — founding member and former president (2008–2012) of the E-Rate Management Professionals Association (E-MPA) and recipient of the 2016 CoSN Kathy Hurley Private Sector Champion Award.
The company's core product is E-rate Manager®, a proprietary SaaS platform with subscription plans starting at $199/year, enabling applicants to track funding requests, complete forms (Form 470, Form 486, BEAR), manage competitive bidding, store audit-ready documentation, and access market intelligence. The platform also serves non-applicant account types (service providers, manufacturers, state coordinators, policymakers), making it effectively a vertical data tool for the E-rate ecosystem. This is complemented by a portfolio of human services: E-rate consulting (flat-fee and contingency-based on USF disbursements), audits and appeals support, training programs, the monthly My E-rate Guides (MEG) webinar series, and a Cybersecurity Pilot offering tied to the new federal cybersecurity funding stream. The firm publishes the annual E-rate Trends Report (15th edition in 2025) and a Cybersecurity Report, reinforcing thought leadership.
Revenue mechanics combine a low-ACV, high-volume subscription layer with higher-margin, expert-led consulting and contingency fees. Go-to-market is consultative and sales-led, relying on website-driven demo requests, contact forms, content marketing (blog, newsletter, webinars), social media, and industry events (CoSN, EdNET), with active policy advocacy through SHLB, CoSN, SETDA, NCTET, and other education-technology coalitions. The company has no disclosed institutional investors, no parent entity, no acquisitions, and operates as a single-office US business serving a US-only regulatory market.
Funds For Learning firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Funds For Learning
- Legal name
- Funds For Learning, LLC
- Website
- https://fundsforlearning.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Funds For Learning, founded in 1997 and headquartered in Edmond, Oklahoma, is a privately held firm that helps US K-12 schools, districts, libraries, and consortia navigate the federal E-rate broadband funding program via its E-rate Manager® SaaS platform, expert consulting, training, and policy advocacy.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Funds For Learning industry classification
Industry- Product category
- E-rate Compliance Software and Consulting
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (6117), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Finance Services (6199)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Financial Aid Systems, Disbursement & Payment Operations (EDADAHAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Scholarships, Grants & Education Benefits Administration (Financing-adjacent) (FSAKAEAM), Scholarship, Financial Aid & FAFSA Support Platforms (EDAFAMAF)
Keywords
Where Funds For Learning is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Edmond
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Funds For Learning business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- E-rate Manager SaaS Subscription: Subscription-based SaaS platform for E-rate applicants. Subscriptions start at $199/year for E-rate Manager for Applicants, providing online tools for tracking funding, forms, and compliance documentation.
- E-rate Consulting Services: Professional consulting services offered to applicant clients on either a flat-fee or contingency basis (contingency fee based on actual disbursement of USF discounts). Non-applicant clients served only on predetermined flat-fee basis.
- E-rate Training: Training services including instructional videos and training-on-demand covering E-rate process topics for beginners and veterans.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | E-rate Manager for Applicants - Base subscription starting price |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Funds For Learning product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Funds For Learning helps schools, school districts, libraries, library systems, and consortia navigate the federal E-rate funding program through its proprietary E-rate Manager® SaaS platform for application tracking, form creation, competitive bidding management, and compliance documentation. The platform is supported by professional E-rate consulting services (flat-fee or contingency-based for applicants), audits and appeals support, E-rate Training programs, the monthly My E-rate Guides webinar series, and the Cybersecurity Pilot service offering.
Product overview
Funds For Learning offers a platform-plus-services model centered on E-rate Manager®, a comprehensive online compliance and data management tool. The platform enables schools, libraries, and consortia to complete the full E-rate application lifecycle including Form 470, Form 486, BEAR invoicing, competitive bidding management, and documentation storage. This core platform is complemented by consulting services, training programs, the monthly My E-rate Guides (MEG) webinar series, and research publications including the annual E-rate Trends Report and Cybersecurity Report. The company also provides dedicated support for audits, appeals, and the new Cybersecurity Pilot program. Pricing for E-rate Manager for Applicants starts at $199/year for basic subscriptions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- E-rate Manager®: Online E-rate compliance and data management tool for applicants, service providers, manufacturers, state coordinators, and policymakers to track applications, funding requests, forms, and documentation.
- E-rate Manager for Applicants
- My E-rate Guides (MEG)
Products and services
- E-rate Manager® Flagship SaaS platform enabling schools, districts, libraries, and consortia to complete the entire E-rate application process online, including tracking funding requests, creating and managing forms (Form 470, Form 486, BEAR Forms), managing competitive bidding, and storing compliance documentation. Subscriptions start at $199/year.
- E-rate Consulting Professional consulting services that guide applicant clients through the E-rate funding process, including preparing applications, tracking deadlines, storing important records, and interacting with program administrators. Fees structured as flat-fee or contingency-based (tied to actual disbursement of USF discounts) for applicant clients; non-applicant clients served on flat-fee basis only.
- Cybersecurity Pilot Services Dedicated services helping applicants understand and navigate eligibility for the federal Cybersecurity Pilot program covering network security and resiliency services for schools and libraries.
- Audits and Appeals Support Support services for E-rate applicants facing audits or seeking to appeal funding decisions, navigating compliance requirements and formal review processes with USAC and the FCC.
- E-rate Training Training services including instructional videos, Training-on-Demand curriculum, and webinars covering E-rate process topics for both beginners and experienced participants.
- My E-rate Guides (MEG) Webinars Monthly webinar program in which Funds For Learning Guides walk through current E-rate topics, filing windows, and planning strategies for applicants.
Quantifiable outcome
- 97.6% of respondents consider E-rate program vital to their mission
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Funds For Learning
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Funds For Learning technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Funds For Learning partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- E-Rate Management Professionals Association (E-MPA)coreProfessional resources, ethical guidance, and certification for E-rate management organizations. CEO John Harrington was a founding member and served as president from 2008 through 2012. Staff adhere to E-MPA's professional practices and high standards.
- Consortium for School Networking (CoSN)coreNational organization for K-12 technology leaders. Funds For Learning has provided leadership and E-rate training to membership. Company is a CoSN Friend of Advocacy supporting efforts in Washington, D.C.
- Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) CoalitioncoreCoalition promoting government policies enabling schools, libraries, healthcare providers, and anchor institutions to obtain affordable broadband connections. SHLB filed ex parte with FCC supporting E-rate program.
- Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA)minorProduced the SIIA Guide to the E-rate providing software and technology companies understanding of how schools and libraries may leverage the E-rate program.
- Great ExpectationsminorNon-profit education organization. CEO John Harrington serves on the board as Vice Chairman. Supports goals and initiatives of the organization.
- State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA)minorNon-profit national organization representing and advocating educational technology. Provides policy and leadership forums, collaboration, webinars, and media outreach for state educational technology leaders.
- National Coalition for Technology in Education and Training (NCTET)minorCreates policy briefings, issue forums, reports on field developments, recognizes leadership, and provides networking between education, technology and policy leaders.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Funds For Learning competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- E-Rate Central: Long-standing E-rate consulting and filing services firm serving schools, libraries, and consortia across the United States. Competes head-to-head with Funds For Learning on consulting, application preparation, and PIA review support for the same applicant base.
- E-Rate Experts: Boutique E-rate management and consulting firm offering application support, competitive bidding guidance, and audit defense to K-12 schools and libraries. Directly comparable in customer segment, service offering, and federal-program specialization.
Emerging players
- CDW Government (CDW-G): Major IT solutions provider to the public-sector K-12 and library market with a dedicated E-rate services practice including eligibility guidance and Form 471 support. Overlaps with Funds For Learning on E-rate application support but competes more broadly as a hardware/software reseller.
- SHI International: Large IT solutions and services provider with a public-sector K-12 practice and E-rate-eligible hardware/software offerings. Comparable in supporting schools' E-rate funding journey at the service-provider side, though its primary business is technology procurement rather than compliance consulting.
Broad incumbents
- PowerSchool: Dominant K-12 student information and operations platform serving the majority of U.S. school districts. Operates broadly in education technology and overlaps with Funds For Learning on the school-district buyer, but does not focus on E-rate compliance.
- Frontline Education: Large K-12 administration SaaS provider covering HR, financial management, and student health. Shares the school-district customer base with Funds For Learning and could plausibly expand into E-rate-related compliance workflows as a module.
- Edmentum: Established K-12 instructional and learning solutions provider serving a large footprint of U.S. school districts. Operates broadly in EdTech for the same buyer segment but does not specialize in E-rate funding workflows.
Others
- Whiteboard Advisors: Education-policy and communications consulting firm with deep engagement on E-rate and broadband policy. Adjacent to Funds For Learning on the policy/advocacy side and shares overlapping Washington, D.C. relationships through CoSN and SHLB.
- Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition: Broadband advocacy coalition promoting E-rate and related programs. A current Funds For Learning partner, it shapes the same federal-policy environment and is a thematic comp rather than a commercial competitor.
- Consortium for School Networking (CoSN): National association for K-12 EdTech leaders that Funds For Learning actively supports as a Friend of Advocacy. Thematically related through E-rate education and thought leadership but is a non-profit membership body, not a commercial peer.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Funds For Learning social profiles
Digital presenceFunds For Learning financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Funds For Learning leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Funds For Learning funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Funds For Learning M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Funds For Learning
What does Funds For Learning do?
Funds For Learning helps schools, school districts, libraries, library systems, and consortia navigate the federal E-rate funding program through its proprietary E-rate Manager® SaaS platform for application tracking, form creation, competitive bidding management, and compliance documentation. The platform is supported by professional E-rate consulting services (flat-fee or contingency-based for applicants), audits and appeals support, E-rate Training programs, the monthly My E-rate Guides webinar series, and the Cybersecurity Pilot service offering.
Is Funds For Learning a public or private company?
Funds For Learning is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Funds For Learning founded?
Funds For Learning was founded in 1997. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Funds For Learning based?
Funds For Learning is headquartered in Edmond, United States, in the North America region.
How does Funds For Learning make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. E-rate Manager SaaS Subscription is the primary driver. The others are E-rate Consulting Services and E-rate Training.
Who are Funds For Learning's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are E-Rate Central and E-Rate Experts. Emerging players are CDW Government (CDW-G) and SHI International. Broad incumbents are PowerSchool, Frontline Education and Edmentum. Others are Whiteboard Advisors, Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition and Consortium for School Networking (CoSN).
Does Funds For Learning have an API?
No public API is recorded for Funds For Learning.
What industry is Funds For Learning in?
Funds For Learning's product category is E-rate Compliance Software and Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDADAHAJ, Financial Aid Systems, Disbursement & Payment Operations, with a secondary code of FSAKAEAM, Scholarships, Grants & Education Benefits Administration (Financing-adjacent). Its NAICS code is 6117 and its SIC code is 8200.