Education is a top-priority funding area for corporate philanthropy, mostly because corporate leaders recognize that strategic investments in education can have long-term pay off for their companies as well as for students and schools. It is also one of the most visible and effective means for demonstrating a company's commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and branding itself as a good corporate citizen in its communities and among its employees and customers. But educational philanthropy can also be a black hole into which a lot of money can disappear without much obvious effect. Usually, this happens when a company practices "checkbook philanthropy," where money is given without clear goals, strategic alignment with business objectives, or sufficient oversight and accountability. This paper describes the following: (1) kind of returns corporate investors can expect in education; (2) best practices for high impact education philanthropy; and (3) how to get started with education partnerships.