Empower Schools is a Finalist in the Learning Landscapes Challenge

Join us July 30, 2025

Wednesday, July 30

2:00 PM - 5:30 PM EDT

Learning Landscapes Challenge Demo Day: New solutions for the future of K-12 education infrastructure

​After more than a year of concept development, acceleration, and incubation, the five Phase 3 teams in the Learning Landscapes Challenge will present their infrastructure solutions designed to deliver and connect digital, in-school, and community-based learning experiences. Up to two grand-prize winners will be announced live at this event.

Support Empower Schools and preview our breakthrough approach to educational infrastructure in partnership with the Indiana changemakers.

Your support could help us win $500,000 to fund this critical work.

Support our work

For over a year, Empower has been engaged in the Learning Landscapes Challenge, a national competition seeking scalable solutions that expand access and opportunity for students and communities. I’m proud to share that we just submitted our Phase 3 application, titled:

Building a Cohesive Learning Infrastructure to Transform Rural Futures

Out of 40 national teams, Empower was selected as one of five Phase 2 awardees, receiving $200K to test and refine our solution.

We’re now competing to be one of two Phase 3 finalists awarded $500K for implementation.

  • Our model centers on Multi-Sector Collaboratives (MSCs)—regional public-private partnerships that braid together education, healthcare, and workforce systems to deliver measurable outcomes in places where need is high and opportunity has historically been limited. It’s intentionally designed to meet the Challenge’s top evaluation criteria, including a cohesive learning infrastructure and a compelling articulation of need and impact; read more about the Evaluation Criteria here.

While rooted in rural Indiana, our model is built for national replication. It reflects Bloomberg Philanthropies’ priorities: data-driven innovation, cross-sector collaboration, and systems change that improves lives at scale. With strong partners like Reid Health, Ivy Tech, and the Indiana Department of Education, we’re already seeing impact—students earning credentials, entering high-demand careers, and strengthening their communities.

Read Our Finalist Sumbission

taking the challenge

Challenge: Rural students face fragmented, siloed systems.

Solution: Governance creates a cohesive learning structure.

Challenge: Systems change requires cross-sector ownership and accountability.

Solution: Connecting sectors—PK–20, higher ed/CTE, employers, and civic leaders—through performance agreements and KPIs.

Challenge: Students, communities, and employers face critical challenges to their quality of life.

Solution: True co-creation of employment and education systems is enabled.

Program Highlights

  • Meeting the Moment

    Empower Schools partner RAZ-32, Indiana’s premier MSC, presents at the State Board of Education, gaining support for rural Indiana students 

    See Presentation

  • Building Momentum

    At this spring’s Vision in Action conference by Empower, Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner reinforced the impact of this work: "

    You have the credentials of value, work-based learning outside the four walls... that hits the mark."

  • Making a Difference

    162 out of 190 districts in Indiana serve fewer than 2,000 students.

    RAZ-32 is serving over 6,500 rural students. Student like Gabby Ordonez, who has more opportunities and brighter future thanks to her time in the program.

More to come July 30 at Cornell Tech, including our vision for scaling this work statewide—and beyond.

Learn More

From Indiana to New Mexico and beyond, programs like those featured Learning Landscape Challenge can work in any community.

Get in touch to explore the Ways We Empower and discover how we can bring innovation to school system in your region.