The Spencer Foundation

The Spencer Foundation was established in 1962 by Lyle M. Spencer. The foundation makes grants to support research for areas of education, widely construed.

The Founder

Lyle M. Spencer was the founder of The Spencer Foundation. Spencer grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin and attended college in the Pacific Northwest. He received both an undergraduate degree and master's degree in sociology from the University of Washington in Seattle. Lyle Spencer’s father served as president at said university from 1927-1933. Spencer continued graduate work in sociology at the University of Chicago. While serving as CEO at SRA, Spencer was also participated on the trustees board of three universities, he was a director of what is now the United Negro College Fund, and actively sat on the committees for education at Harvard University and the University of Chicago. During his graduate studies in 1938 at the University of Chicago he first founded Science Research Associates (SRA), an educational publishing firm. From SRA he obtained the wealth that made all possible to create the Spencer Foundation. SRA nearly went bankrupt in the first year and Spencer gave up this idea, essentially creating a commercial firm in 1939. IBM purchased SRA in 1964; meanwhile Spencer maintained the position of the firm’s chief executive officer up until 1968. Spencer came to realize the potential for his large fortune could affect educational research around the world after IBM bought it. Spencer left passion-filled notes on a vision for the Spencer Foundation. He expressed his concern for individual people and the individual learning process and his desire to support and fund educational projects. His essential wish was to improve educational opportunities While serving as CEO at SRA, Spencer was also participated on the trustees board of three universities, he was a director of what is now the United Negro College Fund, and actively sat on the committees for education at Harvard University and the University of Chicago. Lyle M. Spencer died of pancreatic cancer on August 21, 1968 and was buried in Appleton, Wisconsin.

History

Upon Spencer’s death, the foundation received a large endowment in 1968. The foundation began making formal grants in 1971. The foundation has since made grants totaling to $250 million.

Intentions and Purposes

With Lyle Spencer’s directions, the Foundation works to investigate in ways in which education can be improved around the world. There is a great dedication to research, as it is necessary for the improvement in education. The Spencer Foundation supports the research programs in high quality investigation of education. By awarding research grants and fellowships the Foundation pursues its mission. The foundation strengthens the connections in education research, policy and practice through communications and networking.

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