Fundación ReachingU

What Fundación ReachingU does

Fundación ReachingU is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation incorporated in the United States (EIN 01-0599150) and headquartered in Key Biscayne, Florida, with operational programs delivered in Uruguay. Founded in 2003, the foundation addresses deep educational inequities in Uruguay by funding and operating programs that reach children, adolescents, teachers, and school principals in vulnerable contexts. Its work targets a structural problem: seven of ten third-grade students in vulnerable sectors do not achieve minimum mathematics proficiency, versus two of ten in favorable contexts. The foundation serves more than 4,000 students and 1,100 educators annually through a portfolio of grants, training programs, scholarships, and institutional strengthening initiatives.

The foundation's product portfolio centers on the Teacher Development Program (a USD 1.5M commitment for 2024-2026), the Premio ReachingU al docente uruguayo (the local Uruguayan version of the Varkey Foundation's Global Teacher Prize), a USD 50,000 Co-Creation Fund, and a Professional Development Series targeting up to 1,000 teachers. Specialized sub-products include diplomas and certificates delivered through partnerships with Universidad Católica del Uruguay (learning difficulties, inclusive practices, school coexistence), Universidad ORT Uruguay (educational management/transformational leadership), Universidad de Montevideo (leadership and management), and CFE (scientific thinking). Underlying technology is conventional: Moodle/Aula MEC and the CREA platform for learning management, Zoom for video conferencing, and web-based application systems. Retention rates on flagship diplomas range from 90-95% with satisfaction scores of 4.9/5.

The business model is charitable: revenue is sourced from individual donations, corporate matching gift programs, stock donations, recurring fundraising events (Miami Golf Tournament, Soccer for Education), anchor corporate sponsors (NITRON, KARLSIE FOUNDATION, ALBION, EVERTEC, SANTA LAURA), foundation grants (Tinker Foundation), and a cause-marketing partnership with SODRE. In 2023, the foundation allocated USD 865,616 across 26 educational projects selected from 106 applications requesting USD 4.1M in aggregate. Governance is led by Board President Beatriz Ponce de León (since January 2025, the first woman in the role) and Executive Director Paula Mosera, with endorsements from GuideStar (Platinum Seal of Transparency), Charity Navigator (4-Star), and Uruguay's Ministerio de Educación y Cultura and ANEP.

Name

Fundación ReachingU

Legal name

ReachingU, A Foundation for Uruguay

Website

https://reachingu.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Fundación ReachingU is a US-incorporated 501(c)(3) non-profit that funds and operates teacher development, scholarships, and direct educational programs for vulnerable children and educators across Uruguay through university partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Foundation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC), Corporate & Foundation Relations (Sponsorships, Grants, Partnerships) (EDALAOAE)

Keywords

• Educational nonprofit foundation
• Teacher professional development
• Educational grantmaking programs
• Scholarship and diploma programs
• Education equity initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Key Biscayne

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals in the US (501(c)(3) status) and Uruguay, including one-time and recurring contributions through the website donation portal.
2. Corporate Matching Gifts: Corporate employee matching programs where companies match charitable donations made by their employees to ReachingU.
3. Stock Donations: Donations of appreciated securities in the US, which provide tax advantages to donors and allow for larger contributions than cash donations.
4. Event Fundraising: Annual events including the Miami Golf Tournament and Soccer for Education event that generate donations and sponsorships.
5. Cause Marketing Partnership: Partnership with SODRE (Abono Plus subscription) where 10% of subscription costs are donated to ReachingU.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Fundación ReachingU is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation that funds educational projects and delivers teacher professional development programs in Uruguay. It operates through annual grant calls for proposals, university partnerships (UCU, ORT, UM, CFE), and the annual Premio ReachingU al docente uruguayo (a local adaptation of the Global Teacher Prize). Its core offerings include the Teacher Development Program (USD 1,500,000 committed for 2024-2026), the Co-Creation Fund, the Professional Development Series, and multiple diploma and certificate programs in learning difficulties, inclusive education, school coexistence, scientific thinking, and educational management.

Product overview

Fundación ReachingU is a non-profit educational foundation that operates as a unified platform offering multiple interconnected programs rather than a single product. The core offerings include the Teacher Development Program (Programa de Desarrollo Docente), which funds and coordinates various training initiatives; the National Teacher Prize (Premio ReachingU al docente uruguayo) recognizing innovative educators; and the Co-Creation Fund supporting innovative educational projects. These are complemented by specialized sub-products including diplomas and certificates in learning difficulties, inclusive education, school coexistence, scientific thinking, mathematics assessment, and educational management—all implemented through partnerships with Uruguayan universities (Universidad Católica del Uruguay, Universidad ORT Uruguay, Universidad de Montevideo, CFE). The organization primarily focuses on teacher professional development and educational support for vulnerable populations in Uruguay.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Programa de Desarrollo Docente (Teacher Development Program) A comprehensive teacher professional development program that funds and supports training initiatives promoting ongoing development in key areas such as mathematics education, learning difficulties, literacy, pedagogical leadership, and educational inclusion.
• Premio ReachingU al docente uruguayo (National Teacher Prize) A national award recognizing educators who lead innovative projects. Five finalists receive training scholarships, and the winner receives USD 5,000 for their project or professional development. It is the local version of the Global Teacher Prize awarded by the Varkey Foundation.
• Fondo para Co-creación (Co-Creation Fund) A fund of USD 50,000 created to foster educational innovation through projects co-created by Fundación ReachingU with strategic allies.
• Ciclo de actualización profesional docente (Professional Development Series) A series of continuing education offerings designed to strengthen educator competencies, including Teacher Development Workshops, Thematic Colloquia, and Continuing Education Courses, reaching up to 1,000 teachers.
• Diploma en aprendizaje y dificultades de aprendizaje – Universidad Católica del Uruguay A diploma equipping teachers with tools to understand learning processes in language and mathematics, identify learning difficulties, and design evidence-based interventions through a hybrid format. Achieved 95% retention rate with 88% of participants applying learned strategies.
• Diploma en Prácticas Educativas Inclusivas – Universidad Católica del Uruguay A diploma for Basic Integrated Education teachers providing practical tools to identify and address specific educational needs of students with neurodevelopmental disorders, focusing on inclusive pedagogical strategies. Achieved 90% retention rate and 4.9/5 satisfaction rating in 2025.
• Pensamiento Científico: Construcciones Colectivas desde la Didáctica de las Ciencias – CFE A hybrid training program transforming science education by integrating neuroscience and philosophy of science, promoting scientific thinking and literacy among children in vulnerable contexts.
• Diploma en Convivencia Escolar – Universidad Católica del Uruguay A diploma strengthening teacher and school leader competencies in managing school coexistence through design thinking, case analysis, and playful practices to foster positive school climates.
• Evaluación para el Aprendizaje en Matemática – Evidencia en Acción A professional development program focusing on formative assessment in primary school mathematics, structured around conceptual foundations, evidence collection, and feedback/self-regulation.
• Certificado en Gestión Educativa con énfasis en Liderazgo Transformador – Universidad ORT Uruguay A certificate program training specialists in project direction and leadership of change and improvement processes in educational contexts, delivered in hybrid format for educational team members. Achieved 95% retention rate in 2025.

Quantifiable outcome

• 7 out of 10 students in vulnerable contexts do not achieve minimum math levels in 3rd grade (vs 2 out of 10 in favorable contexts)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Ronald McDonald House Charities UruguayminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 July 2021Funding for the first family and school room at Pereira Rossell Hospital, Uruguay's largest children's hospital. Provides learning space and family rest area.
• Universidad de MontevideocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 January 2017Convenio de cooperación for the 'Directores de Excelencia' postgraduate program in Leadership, Management and Educational Innovation. The program is directed at directors of public and private educational centers and offers full scholarships for 30 participants.
• Universidad Católica del Uruguay (UCU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple diploma programs including: Diploma in Learning Difficulties (90 teachers), Diploma in Inclusive Educational Practices (70 teachers), Diploma in School Coexistence (60 teachers). Programs offer scholarships of 80-100%.
• Universidad ORT UruguaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCertificate in Educational Management with emphasis on Transformational Leadership (36 principals). Hybrid format with 95% retention rate and excellent evaluations in 2025.
• Consejo de Formación en Educación (CFE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific Thinking program: Collective Constructions from Science Education. Hybrid training integrating neuroscience and philosophy of science for teachers in vulnerable contexts.
• Gurises UnidosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-creation of socio-emotional skills and school coexistence course, based on over 10 years of intervention experience.
• Fundación VarkeycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal version partnership for Global Teacher Prize. The Premio ReachingU al docente uruguayo is the Uruguayan adaptation of the prestigious international award (USD 1,000,000 annually).
• UNESCOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNESCO involvement in teacher prize jury and educational programs. Declared of interest for national teacher prize.
• CeibalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for educational technology programs and professional development for Uruguayan teachers.
• Administración Nacional de Educación Pública (ANEP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment education authority as strategic partner for teacher training and program endorsement. Declares programs of educational interest.
• Teletón UruguayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for inclusion education course on motor disability for teachers.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Varkey Foundation: Global education foundation behind the USD 1M Global Teacher Prize, of which ReachingU is the official Uruguayan partner. Operates the same grantmaking-plus-advocacy model for teacher excellence, making it the closest structural and brand peer.

Regional players

• Fundación Mustakis: Chilean family foundation funding education innovation and teacher development across Latin America. Highly comparable mission (quality education for vulnerable populations via grants and programs) and a similar country-level scale and operating model.
• Fundación Crea (CreceChile): Chilean foundation focused on improving education quality for vulnerable students through partnerships with schools and NGOs. Comparable mission (educational equity via targeted intervention) and similar operating scale in a single Latin American country.

Broad incumbents

• Fundación Itaú Social: Brazilian corporate-affiliated foundation investing heavily in public education and teacher training. Comparable in grantmaking focus on teacher professional development, but operates at materially larger scale across a much bigger education system.
• Lemann Foundation: Brazilian foundation focused on improving public education through teacher training and leadership programs. Direct model parallel — partnering with universities and government to scale teacher development — but at broader national and multi-country scope.
• Fundación Carlos Slim: Major Mexican foundation funding education, digital learning, and workforce development across Latin America. Comparable in operating across borders to support educational equity, but with significantly larger capital base and broader program scope.
• GEMS Education Foundation: Education-sector philanthropy arm of GEMS Education, supporting access and teacher quality globally. Comparable in operating an international education-focused foundation with teacher development initiatives, though anchored in the for-profit school network.

Others

• UNICEF Education Programs: UN agency funding education access and quality in Uruguay and across Latin America, including teacher development. Not a direct competitor but a thematic peer operating in the same vulnerable-population, education-quality space with similar partner-funded delivery.
• UNESCO Education Sector: UN agency involved in teacher prize juries and educational program declarations of interest, including in Uruguay. Functions as an adjacent ecosystem actor — endorsing, convening, and co-funding — rather than a competing grantmaker.
• Inter-American Development Bank (Education Division): Multilateral lender running large-scale education reform and teacher training programs in Uruguay. Comparable as a funder of educational innovation but at much larger scale and through sovereign financing rather than philanthropic donations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/reaching_u
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCBC4Mj68_GTYAwPr3w0J6WA
• Facebookes-la.facebook.com/ReachingU.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/reaching-u---a-foundation-for-uruguay
• Instagraminstagram.com/ReachingU

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fundación ReachingU