“The School in the Market is the remarkable story of how the IDP Foundation applied its innovative approach to partnering with people and organizations to build a scalable, sustainable, and evolving solution to the important problem of improving education for all. It is a story that demonstrates the power of true empathy in philanthropy. I recommend this book to anyone engaged in social and economic development.”

—Patrick Awuah, founder and president, Ashesi University

“Readable and engaging, The School in the Market tells the inspiring story of how Irene Pritzker brought both passion and financial acumen to one of education’s toughest challenges. By creating a local solution with smart support—a financial model that enabled low-fee private schools in Ghana to thrive—she and her organization have become true pioneers of impact investing in education.”

—Harry Anthony Patrinos, former senior advisor for education, World Bank; professor of education policy, University of Arkansas

“In this powerful narrative, we see what happens when capital meets community and respect meets resolve. The work chronicled in The School in the Market isn’t just transforming schools—it’s transforming how we think about the future of education in emerging economies.”

—Asheesh Advani, CEO, JA (Junior Achievement) Worldwide

“Irene Pritzker’s approach to philanthropy is a masterclass in transformative partnerships. She invests in a way that allows organizations to adapt, evolve, and thrive in response to the shifting needs of the communities they serve. This book is vital for anyone seeking to understand how strategic funding aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals can drive systemic change.”

—Aashti Zaidi Hai, CEO, Global Schools Forum

“By centering local actors, Irene Pritzker and the IDP Foundation are leading a movement to challenge conventional thinking about philanthropy and development. The School in the Market is not only a compelling read—it is a powerful call to adopt inclusive, collaborative models that align with the interconnected goals of the SDGs. This is investing for impact in action!”

—Amir Dossal, former executive director, United Nations Office for Partnerships; founder and president, Global Partnerships Forum

“As described in this book, the IDP Foundation’s commitment to uplifting Ghanaians by partnering with us while deeply respecting our culture and traditions and never imposing their own beliefs or identity made them true trailblazers in the world of international development. They are still blazing trails, and the world is paying attention.”

—Tony Fosu, CEO, Sinapi Aba Savings & Loans

“Irene Pritzker perceived what the creators of Sesame Street knew: that high-quality early education can change children’s lives. The School in the Market reveals how Pritzker’s inspiration led to an innovative education program with transformative results. Sesame Workshop was proud to be a part of this work, creating teacher-training resources featuring Sesame’s beloved characters that model play-based, child-centered techniques, leading to more engaged classrooms and inspiring teachers and students alike.”

—Sherrie Westin, president and CEO, Sesame Workshop