Our Vision
At Flamboyan Foundation, we believe all children deserve the opportunity to thrive. Unfortunately, our society doesn’t always deliver on that opportunity – whether because of unforeseen natural disasters, a global pandemic, or a longstanding history of silencing the contributions and wisdom of Black and Brown communities, leading to broken trust.
We’re working to change that.
Our vision by 2030 is to work alongside community partners to write new futures for children most impacted by inequity. We work in Puerto Rico, Washington, DC, and across the country to transform the lives of children – especially those in communities that have long been silenced or ignored.
In Puerto Rico, this means ensuring every student can read by third grade and continuing to develop the island’s rich arts communities. In DC and nationally, this means cultivating authentic, trusting partnerships between families and educators to drive student success.
By motivating mindsets, supporting skill-building, and deeply listening, we will ensure that all students have what they need to succeed in school and beyond.
Our Goals In
PUERTO RICO
Focus One
Strengthening K-3 Reading in Puerto Rico
GOAL: By 2030, island-wide efforts result in K-3 students reading in Spanish at grade level.
Focus One
OVERVIEW
Children must be able to read to lead a rich and fulfilling life.
In Puerto Rico, students have experienced more than six years of interrupted school due to multiple natural disasters and a global pandemic, accelerating the existing literacy achievement gap. Children have not had the opportunity to master basic skills like reading critically, and we know that reading is an essential building block to success in school and in life. Further, the island’s economic and societal progress depends on children becoming active and knowledgeable citizens who will help the island grow and thrive. All students can and must become active, engaged readers for themselves and for the island.
By 2030, Flamboyan will work to ensure that all students in Puerto Rico are joyfully reading on grade level by the end of third grade. By joining together with government, business, and community partners to build student literacy, we will create a Puerto Rico in which all children can imagine big futures and make those dreams a reality.
.
Focus One
WHAT WE WANT TO ACHIEVE
- At the Educator Level: Teachers are demonstrating the Essential Practices for Reading and Writing in Puerto Rico in their mindsets and practices.
- At the Educational System Level: Public schools have adopted the Essential Practices as the foundation of their K-3 reading program and are actively building support for implementation.
- At the Educational Ecosystem Level: Professional development providers’ trainings for K-3 teachers are aligned with the Essential Practices.
- In the Broader Ecosystem: Key influencers are invested in supporting students to excel in literacy.
Focus One
HOW WE WILL KNOW
EDUCATOR LEVEL | Teachers are demonstrating the Essential Practices in their mindsets and practices.
- Most K-3 teachers in public schools can name and describe at least three of the Essential Practices.
- K-3 teachers in public schools report they use the Essential Practices in their day-to-day instruction.
- K-3 teachers in public schools agree they have the support needed to use the Essential Practices in their classrooms.
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM LEVEL | Public schools have adopted the Essential Practices as the foundation of their K-3 reading program and are actively building support for implementation.
- Schools share a commitment to the Essential Practices as the framework for K-3 literacy instruction.
- Flamboyan’s top policy recommendations are adopted by government partners.
EDUCATIONAL ECOSYSTEM LEVEL | Professional development providers’ trainings for K-3 teachers are aligned with the Essential Practices.
- The Essential Practices are a core component of the trainings of professional development providers supporting public schools in Puerto Rico.
- Educators receiving literacy training by Flamboyan partner professional development providers agree they know how to use the Essential Practices in their classroom.
BROADER ECOSYSTEM | Key influencers are invested in supporting students to excel in literacy.
- Cross-sector organizations are implementing best practices in literacy instruction.
- Flamboyan’s investments support nonprofit organizations working to strengthen K-3 reading in alignment with the Essential Practices.
Focus One
OVERVIEW
Children must be able to read to lead a rich and fulfilling life.
In Puerto Rico, students have experienced more than six years of interrupted school due to multiple natural disasters and a global pandemic, accelerating the existing literacy achievement gap. Children have not had the opportunity to master basic skills like reading critically, and we know that reading is an essential building block to success in school and in life. Further, the island’s economic and societal progress depends on children becoming active and knowledgeable citizens who will help the island grow and thrive. All students can and must become active, engaged readers for themselves and for the island.
By 2030, Flamboyan will work to ensure that all students in Puerto Rico are joyfully reading on grade level by the end of third grade. By joining together with government, business, and community partners to build student literacy, we will create a Puerto Rico in which all children can imagine big futures and make those dreams a reality.
.
Focus One
WHAT WE WANT TO ACHIEVE
- At the Educator Level: Teachers are demonstrating the Essential Practices for Reading and Writing in Puerto Rico in their mindsets and practices.
- At the Educational System Level: Public schools have adopted the Essential Practices as the foundation of their K-3 reading program and are actively building support for implementation.
- At the Educational Ecosystem Level: Professional development providers’ trainings for K-3 teachers are aligned with the Essential Practices.
- In the Broader Ecosystem: Key influencers are invested in supporting students to excel in literacy.
Focus One
HOW WE WILL KNOW
EDUCATOR LEVEL | Teachers are demonstrating the Essential Practices in their mindsets and practices.
- Most K-3 teachers in public schools can name and describe at least three of the Essential Practices.
- K-3 teachers in public schools report they use the Essential Practices in their day-to-day instruction.
- K-3 teachers in public schools agree they have the support needed to use the Essential Practices in their classrooms.
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM LEVEL | Public schools have adopted the Essential Practices as the foundation of their K-3 reading program and are actively building support for implementation.
- Schools share a commitment to the Essential Practices as the framework for K-3 literacy instruction.
- Flamboyan’s top policy recommendations are adopted by government partners.
EDUCATIONAL ECOSYSTEM LEVEL | Professional development providers’ trainings for K-3 teachers are aligned with the Essential Practices.
- The Essential Practices are a core component of the trainings of professional development providers supporting public schools in Puerto Rico.
- Educators receiving literacy training by Flamboyan partner professional development providers agree they know how to use the Essential Practices in their classroom.
BROADER ECOSYSTEM | Key influencers are invested in supporting students to excel in literacy.
- Cross-sector organizations are implementing best practices in literacy instruction.
- Flamboyan’s investments support nonprofit organizations working to strengthen K-3 reading in alignment with the Essential Practices.
Focus Two
Preserving Arts + Culture in Puerto Rico
GOAL: By 2030, arts, culture, and education are embedded in the revitalization of Puerto Rico, preserving its heritage while building the future.
Focus Two
OVERVIEW
Arts and culture are vital for a flourishing society.
The Flamboyan Arts Fund, born from a partnership between the Foundation, the family of Lin-Manuel Miranda, and the Broadway musical Hamilton, sees a vibrant arts community as a key piece of the rebuilding of Puerto Rico. By the close of the Fund in 2026, artists will continue to have opportunities to sustain creative projects, transformative arts experiences, and community connections.
By continuing to amplify and preserve arts organizations, Puerto Ricans can maintain their rich cultural heritage and artists will be equipped with the support they need to continue creating and innovating.
Focus Two
WHAT WE WANT TO ACHIEVE
- The Flamboyan Arts Fund is celebrated for what it has achieved and leaves a sustainable legacy for artistic organizations.
- Flamboyan Arts Fund’s grantees are equipped with the support they need to preserve, amplify, and sustain their work long-term.
Focus Two
HOW WE WILL KNOW
The Flamboyan Arts Fund is celebrated for what it has achieved and leaves a sustainable legacy for artistic organizations.
- Arts Fund grantees agree that the Fund has provided critical support, allowing them to sustain their work.
- Arts tourism in Puerto Rico generates interest and financial resources for artistic organizations, helping to sustain their contributions into the future.
- Funders and stewards on and off the island remain invested in growing the arts in Puerto Rico.
Focus Two
OVERVIEW
Arts and culture are vital for a flourishing society.
The Flamboyan Arts Fund, born from a partnership between the Foundation, the family of Lin-Manuel Miranda, and the Broadway musical Hamilton, sees a vibrant arts community as a key piece of the rebuilding of Puerto Rico. By the close of the Fund in 2026, artists will continue to have opportunities to sustain creative projects, transformative arts experiences, and community connections.
By continuing to amplify and preserve arts organizations, Puerto Ricans can maintain their rich cultural heritage and artists will be equipped with the support they need to continue creating and innovating.
Focus Two
WHAT WE WANT TO ACHIEVE
- The Flamboyan Arts Fund is celebrated for what it has achieved and leaves a sustainable legacy for artistic organizations.
- Flamboyan Arts Fund’s grantees are equipped with the support they need to preserve, amplify, and sustain their work long-term.
Focus Two
HOW WE WILL KNOW
The Flamboyan Arts Fund is celebrated for what it has achieved and leaves a sustainable legacy for artistic organizations.
- Arts Fund grantees agree that the Fund has provided critical support, allowing them to sustain their work.
- Arts tourism in Puerto Rico generates interest and financial resources for artistic organizations, helping to sustain their contributions into the future.
- Funders and stewards on and off the island remain invested in growing the arts in Puerto Rico.
Our Goal In
WASHINGTON, DC
Focus Three
Catalyzing + Sustaining REAL Family Engagement
GOAL: By 2030, REAL Family Engagement is sustained in DC and catalyzed across the country to promote success for students.
Focus Three
OVERVIEW
Strong relationships between families and educators are fundamental for student success.
Yet for generations, trust between educators and families has been broken. Without relationships built on mutual power, families often cannot access the information and relationships they need to play a crucial role in their child’s education. Research shows that families play five essential roles in their children’s education: 1) communicate high expectations; 2) monitor performance; 3) support learning at home; 4) guide their path; and 5) advocate for their needs. All families deserve to have the information and connections with educators that they need to play these roles well.
By 2030, the essential components of REAL Family Engagement – Relationships, Equitable Experiences, Academic Partnerships, and Leadership – will be recognized as fundamental to a high-quality education. Every public school family in Washington, DC will feel seen and valued in their school community, and educational leaders across the country will have access to the tools they need to embed and sustain REAL Family Engagement in their communities. By ensuring educators are equipped with the mindsets and practices to embed REAL Family Engagement in every classroom, we will both advance learning and foster student well-being nationwide.
Focus Three
WHAT WE WANT TO ACHIEVE
- At the Classroom Level: Families are able to play the Five Roles because educators have the behaviors, mindsets, and beliefs needed to foster trusting relationships and build academic partnerships.
- At the School Level: Families are able to play the Five Roles because schools create and sustain the conditions for educators to foster trusting relationships and build academic partnerships.
- At the System Level: DC’s public schools sustain, champion, protect, prioritize, and support REAL Family Engagement.
- Nationally: Flamboyan catalyzes REAL Family Engagement across the country.
Focus Three
HOW WE WILL KNOW
CLASSROOM LEVEL | Families are able to play the Five Roles because educators have the behaviors, mindsets, and beliefs needed to foster trusting relationships and build academic partnerships.
- Teachers working in Flamboyan partner schools receive REAL Family Engagement coaching, training, and tools to support relationship-building with families, leading to trusting relationships and academic partnerships.
- Families with students attending Flamboyan partner schools agree that they have the partnerships and information to support their child’s success.
- Educators in DC widely believe that family engagement has an impact on student success.
- In DC and nationally, educators are using Flamboyan’s premier Family Engagement Assessment Tool and other Flamboyan resources, and agree it has improved their family engagement practice.
SCHOOL LEVEL | Families are able to play the Five Roles because schools create and sustain the conditions for educators to foster trusting relationships and build academic partnerships.
- Flamboyan partner schools sustain REAL Family Engagement practices after transitioning from formal partnership with Flamboyan.
- School leaders in Flamboyan partner schools believe that family engagement has an impact on student success, and that their leadership spurs relationships and academic partnerships with families.
- The majority of families in Flamboyan partner schools agree they feel a sense of belonging at their child’s school.
- In DC and nationally, school leaders are using Flamboyan’s flagship Family Engagement Assessment Tool and other Flamboyan resources to identify their schools’ progress in implementing REAL Family Engagement practices.
SYSTEM LEVEL | DC schools sustain, champion, protect, prioritize, and support REAL Family Engagement.
- Family engagement is embedded in the strategic plans and budgets of DC’s public schools, supporting the growth of REAL Family Engagement practices.
- School district leaders agree that they are prepared to grow and strengthen REAL Family Engagement.
- Flamboyan partner organizations independently sustain REAL Family Engagement.
NATIONALLY | Flamboyan catalyzes REAL Family Engagement nationally.
- Nationally, partner organizations and school districts have embedded REAL Family Engagement into their programmatic work and approach to building relationships with families.
Focus Three
OVERVIEW
Strong relationships between families and educators are fundamental for student success.
Yet for generations, trust between educators and families has been broken. Without relationships built on mutual power, families often cannot access the information and relationships they need to play a crucial role in their child’s education. Research shows that families play five essential roles in their children’s education: 1) communicate high expectations; 2) monitor performance; 3) support learning at home; 4) guide their path; and 5) advocate for their needs. All families deserve to have the information and connections with educators that they need to play these roles well.
By 2030, the essential components of REAL Family Engagement – Relationships, Equitable Experiences, Academic Partnerships, and Leadership – will be recognized as fundamental to a high-quality education. Every public school family in Washington, DC will feel seen and valued in their school community, and educational leaders across the country will have access to the tools they need to embed and sustain REAL Family Engagement in their communities. By ensuring educators are equipped with the mindsets and practices to embed REAL Family Engagement in every classroom, we will both advance learning and foster student well-being nationwide.
Focus Three
WHAT WE WANT TO ACHIEVE
- At the Classroom Level: Families are able to play the Five Roles because educators have the behaviors, mindsets, and beliefs needed to foster trusting relationships and build academic partnerships.
- At the School Level: Families are able to play the Five Roles because schools create and sustain the conditions for educators to foster trusting relationships and build academic partnerships.
- At the System Level: DC’s public schools sustain, champion, protect, prioritize, and support REAL Family Engagement.
- Nationally: Flamboyan catalyzes REAL Family Engagement across the country.
Focus Three
HOW WE WILL KNOW
CLASSROOM LEVEL | Families are able to play the Five Roles because educators have the behaviors, mindsets, and beliefs needed to foster trusting relationships and build academic partnerships.
- Teachers working in Flamboyan partner schools receive REAL Family Engagement coaching, training, and tools to support relationship-building with families, leading to trusting relationships and academic partnerships.
- Families with students attending Flamboyan partner schools agree that they have the partnerships and information to support their child’s success.
- Educators in DC widely believe that family engagement has an impact on student success.
- In DC and nationally, educators are using Flamboyan’s premier Family Engagement Assessment Tool and other Flamboyan resources, and agree it has improved their family engagement practice.
SCHOOL LEVEL | Families are able to play the Five Roles because schools create and sustain the conditions for educators to foster trusting relationships and build academic partnerships.
- Flamboyan partner schools sustain REAL Family Engagement practices after transitioning from formal partnership with Flamboyan.
- School leaders in Flamboyan partner schools believe that family engagement has an impact on student success, and that their leadership spurs relationships and academic partnerships with families.
- The majority of families in Flamboyan partner schools agree they feel a sense of belonging at their child’s school.
- In DC and nationally, school leaders are using Flamboyan’s flagship Family Engagement Assessment Tool and other Flamboyan resources to identify their schools’ progress in implementing REAL Family Engagement practices.
SYSTEM LEVEL | DC schools sustain, champion, protect, prioritize, and support REAL Family Engagement.
- Family engagement is embedded in the strategic plans and budgets of DC’s public schools, supporting the growth of REAL Family Engagement practices.
- School district leaders agree that they are prepared to grow and strengthen REAL Family Engagement.
- Flamboyan partner organizations independently sustain REAL Family Engagement.
NATIONALLY | Flamboyan catalyzes REAL Family Engagement nationally.
- Nationally, partner organizations and school districts have embedded REAL Family Engagement into their programmatic work and approach to building relationships with families.