Teach for America's major donors include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; the Walton Family Foundation, run by the heirs to the Walmart fortune; the
Eli & Edythe Broad Foundation, run by the real
estate billionaire and Democratic donor; and the Laura and John Arnold Foundation, where hedge - fund dollars are used to support causes ranging from criminal justice reform to reducing the costs of public pensions (including those held by veteran teachers).