The Educational Foundation of America

The Educational Foundation of America

The Educational Foundation of America was established in 1959 by Richard Prentice Ettinger and Elsie P. Ettinger. The couple built their fortune through Prentice-Hall Publishing. Third-generation family members now oversee the foundation's board and operations. The foundation allocates across public equities, venture capital, and private investments with an impact lens. Holdings include commitments to DBL Partners III, Generation IM Global Equity Fund and Illumen Capital II. Confirmed positions also include exited holdings in Tesla, Nest, and SolarCity through early DBL funds. Capital deploys primarily in the United States with additional exposure to global sustainable strategies. The foundation employs 11 professionals and maintains an administrative office in Bethesda, Maryland. It participates in networks including Philanthropy New York, Mission Investors Exchange, Confluence Philanthropy, and the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility. In February 2026 the foundation sponsored the virtual event Creative Power, Civic Purpose focused on arts and democracy. The foundation operates as a private family vehicle with direct family governance across three generations. This structure allows coordinated grantmaking and shareholder advocacy through vehicles such as Rhia Ventures without external LP constraints.