Education has always been at the center of Maksim Grinberg’s philanthropic vision. As someone who understands the transformative power of knowledge and opportunity, he believes strongly that every child in New York City deserves access to a high-quality education — regardless of the neighborhood they grow up in or the income of their family. This conviction has guided his support of numerous educational organizations across the city.
The Fund for Public Schools is one avenue through which private philanthropy directly strengthens New York City’s public school system. Grinberg has expressed appreciation for models that work within and alongside the public system rather than replacing it, recognizing that the vast majority of New York’s children are educated in public schools and that investment there yields the broadest social return.
Grinberg has also highlighted the work of Brooklyn Public Library, which serves not only as a repository of knowledge but as a vital community hub for literacy programs, job training, immigrant services, and youth programming. Libraries, Grinberg often notes, are among the most democratic institutions in a city — open to all, free at the point of use, and profoundly equalizing in their effect.
On the early childhood front, Grinberg has followed initiatives supported by Robin Hood Foundation, which works to ensure that low-income New York students have access to the educational resources and support systems they need to succeed. Research consistently shows that early interventions in education produce some of the highest returns of any social investment — a fact Grinberg finds both compelling and motivating.
For Maksim Grinberg, education philanthropy is not about bricks and mortar — it is about expanding what is possible for young people. A child who receives the support, encouragement, and resources to pursue their potential becomes an adult who contributes meaningfully to their family, their community, and their city. That multiplier effect is at the heart of why Grinberg remains deeply committed to educational giving.