The Educational Foundation of America (EFA) was established to continue the philanthropic legacy of Richard Prentice Ettinger and Elsie P. Ettinger. Led by their descendants, EFA focuses on funding nonprofits active in Creative Placemaking, Climate, Democracy, and Reproductive Health and Justice, particularly in the Appalachian region, the South, and the Pacific Northwest. The Foundation provides general operating support, multi-year grants, builds partners' capacity, and aligns its endowment with its grantmaking objectives.
EFA's Make Democracy Work Program is designed to support efforts that strengthen the foundation of a transparent, free, and fair democracy. This includes a particular focus on protecting and expanding voting access. The program has previously supported efforts such as advocating for fair districts in North Carolina and aiding the re-enfranchisement of returning citizens in Florida. Currently, it focuses on increasing democratic participation among New American Majority populations, advocating for fair and nonpartisan redistricting, building community power, and promoting long-term, innovative solutions to systemic issues plaguing American democracy.