In May 2004, two influential philanthropic groups held a briefing for education grant makers to help them decide whether to keep giving large sums of money to support school improvement. A moderator kicked off the event by asking, "Is it possible to get the types of schools that we need--[by] fixing the schools we have?" In other words, "Should foundations and donors continue to write checks to superintendents [for school improvement]?" The answer to that question, detailed in a report summarizing the two-day session, was sobering. A clear consensus emerged that grant makers should continue to support school improvement efforts, but at progressively lower levels than in the past. Instead, they should consider putting more of their dollars behind the creation of new "startup' schools to supplement--and perhaps eventually replace--existing schools. (Contains 8 endnotes.) [This document was produced by The Center for Comprehensive School Reform and Improvement, administered by Learning Point Associates in partnership with the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL) and WestEd, under contract with the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education.]