Ripple has pledged $25 million in its RLUSD stablecoin to support US education through nonprofit organizations DonorsChoose and Teach For America.
The contribution, revealed on May 5, aims to support teachers, fund classroom projects, and expand access to essential academic resources for underserved communities across the United States.
This initiative comes at a time when concerns about the quality of education are growing. A 2024 Gallup survey found that more than half of US adults expressed dissatisfaction with K-12 education.
Ripple’s donation seeks to help close that gap by funding critical needs inside classrooms and providing extra academic support for students.
According to Ripple, the funds will be used to fulfill teacher requests, purchase supplies, and expand tutoring programs like Teach For America’s Ignite. The company also plans to support a nationwide STEM challenge to nurture innovation and problem-solving skills among young learners.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse said:
“We hope to inspire others to do the same, starting with Teacher Appreciation Week, and leading into the rest of the year to support students and teachers with the resources they need to build a stronger future for themselves and their communities.”
RLUSD’s utility meets social impact
A notable aspect of the donation is that a large portion would be disbursed in RLUSD, Ripple’s stablecoin. Based on CryptoSlate data, RLUSD currently has a market cap of over $316 million.
According to the firm, the stablecoin donation highlights the growing utility of digital assets in charitable giving, as they provide a fast and efficient channel for delivering impact where it’s needed most.
Earlier this year, Ripple contributed $50,000 in RLUSD to support wildfire response efforts in California. The funds were directed to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation to aid first responders in protecting communities.
These efforts align with Ripple’s broader social impact strategy, Ripple Impact. Since 2018, the company has contributed over $200 million to humanitarian efforts, educational initiatives, and blockchain training programs in over 80 countries.