Black Montessori Education FundOpening doors to and through Montessori.
Invest in Montessori's original promise
Montessori education was born in the margins, not in privilege. Over 110 years ago, Dr. Maria Montessori developed her revolutionary method working with children in the slums of Rome. Her goal was liberation and equity for all of humanity. Yet today, Montessori is too often associated with whiteness, wealth, and exclusivity.
In private Montessori, Black students remain significantly underrepresented, and fewer than 1 in 10 Montessori teachers identify as Black. These disparities are not accidental. They reflect systemic inequities and financial barriers that exclude Black children, families, and educators from high-fidelity programs they deserve to be part of.
New national data tells a more complicated story. In public Montessori programs in the U.S., where access is free, 23.3% of students are Black. When financial barriers are removed, Black families choose Montessori. The gap comes down to cost and access, not interest or fit.
We are committed to reclaiming Montessori's justice-centered roots by removing those barriers, through funding, community, professional development, and a strong network of support for Black educators, children, families, and pioneers in Montessori.
True Peace Education includes everyone
Dr. Maria Montessori believed that education was the pathway to peace, and that peace required justice. Montessori education, therefore, cannot fully serve its mission of peace and human development without intentional diversity and inclusion.
When Black children and educators are excluded or underrepresented, the entire learning environment suffers. Representation matters, not just for equity, but for the quality and integrity of Montessori education itself.
We are reclaiming Montessori's radical roots. We support Black teachers, leaders, students, and researchers through scholarships, program funding, convenings, and resources to ensure that Montessori education is inclusive in theory and liberatory in practice.
The BMEF in numbers
Since 2020, the BMEF has invested $232,974 directly into Black Montessori educators, families, and schools.
73 educators supported
63 families supported
Partnering with institutions
47 programs strengthened
12 countries reached
This work is possible because funders and donors invest alongside us.
Foundations and institutional funders can request our full impact report and current funding priorities.
Hear from our recipients
Donate today to help us create a more equitable future for Black educators, children, and families
Some of Our Sponsors
“We are against the artificial programs that make man a slave…The child, a free human being, must teach us and teach society order, calm, discipline, and harmony. When we help them, love blossoms, too. The love of which we have great need to bring humans together and create a happy life.”
- Dr. Maria Montessori, Education and Peace
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