Dear Friends,
As we close the book on 2025, I’ve been sitting with the Lord in gratitude, thinking about the doors He opened, the challenges He allowed, and the growth that came through both. This year stretched me in the best ways and reminded me, again and again, that obedience isn’t always easy, but it is always worth it.
One of the biggest decisions I made this year happened on January 1: I handed the reins of my company to my co-founder and now-CEO, Adam Mangana, and I stepped into a new role as Board Chair. Transitioning out of the day-to-day leadership was hard, but it was the right decision, and I’m so glad I followed that conviction. Adam has led Optima with excellence, vision, and strength, and he has done better than I ever could have in that seat. Under his leadership, we had another revenue-doubling year, surpassed 1,200 students enrolled in Optima Academy Online, and now have well over 100,000 students who have accessed our curriculum through schools and programs around the world. I’m honored to continue as his partner, and I’m excited for what’s ahead as we prepare to raise significant growth capital in 2026.
At the same time, I stepped into a new season of service. Early this year, I reached out to my friend Brooke Rollins to ask how I could help during the transition at America First Policy Institute (AFPI). What came next was one of the greatest professional blessings of my life. I joined AFPI as Chair of Education Opportunity and Chair of the Florida Chapter – two areas that were completely empty after leadership moved into the Trump administration. I committed to build both from the ground up with talent, goals, and structure. Looking back now, I’m humbled by what we accomplished. AFPI is truly one of the best organizations I’ve ever been a part of – built for long-term impact in education, in Florida, and far beyond. God bless AFPI.
This year was also the closing of a major chapter for our work: we began winding down our charter school management businesses. What a ride! In eight years, we opened five schools, had three additional charter applications approved, one building ready for opening, and another property approved for development when the time is right. Across those schools, we raised nearly $100 million in startup capital, secured tax revenue sharing in multiple jurisdictions, and more than doubled the enrollment capacity of classical charter schools in the state of Florida. I’m deeply grateful for every school leader and team member who is carrying these schools forward as engines of generational impact in their communities.
As we shifted away from launching schools ourselves, we also stepped into a new mission. In early 2025, Optima Foundation rebranded as the Education Freedom Foundation (EFF) and launched our Start-A-School Initiative to address what I believe is one of the biggest bottlenecks in school choice: supply. It’s not enough for families to have funding – we need more high-quality options, more seats, and more innovators entering the space, so we can eliminate waitlists and introduce real free-market competition that drives excellence. EFF now offers a free toolkit and mentorship resources to help aspiring founders start every kind of school of choice across the country. Over 100 founders accessed these resources this year, and more than a dozen are already working with our team toward opening schools in 2026. And I’m truly amazed by what God has done through our supporters: in our first year as a 100% donor-supported organization, we more than doubled our fundraising goals. He is faithful.
Professionally, 2025 was also a year of real policy wins. I’m grateful to have played a role in helping pass the federal tax credit scholarship and 529 reforms in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act of 2025. We also supported ESA bills in Tennessee and Texas – both signed into law. And I had the privilege of working alongside Secretary McMahon and her all-star team (many of them former AFPI colleagues) on what I believe was the most productive year ever toward true federal education reform, including finally dismantling the Department of Education. I’ve also expanded my network of school choice allies across the country – edtech, charters, private and religious schools, advocacy organizations – people who genuinely care about children, families and results. My goal now is to use those connections to help build and solidify a unified coalition around one choice system: equal access to all forms of funding, and uniform education expense allowances across states and programs. Families deserve clarity and consistency – not barriers and bureaucracy.
This year also brought something I never could have anticipated. An unthinkable tragedy – our friend Charlie Kirk’s assassination – created a new urgency on college campuses across the country. Suddenly there was enormous demand for speakers who could show up, stand strong, and encourage young people not to surrender the future. I was asked to participate, and like many of you, I wanted to do what I could to help. So I packed my schedule with campus visits in Florida and beyond.
And I have to tell you: it was one of the most meaningful things I did all year.
I’ve spoken to young people for years, having served as a youth leader for 15 years, but this generation is different. They are all in on education freedom. They are not content with the status quo and don’t trust the government to deliver for them. They are demanding the right to customize their children’s education and insisting on full funding portability. The Turning Point Generation is the Education Freedom Generation—and I’m excited to continue this college campus speaking series into 2026.
And saving the best for last- this was a big year in the Donalds family.
We celebrated two graduations: Damon from Holy Cross and Darin from First Baptist Academy. We are so proud of them. Damon is now working in finance in New York City, and Darin is playing basketball for Truman State while studying history and pre-law. Mason has also had a wonderful year as well. He’s mature, thoughtful, and yes…incredibly tall! Byron and I are balancing the demands of a statewide campaign while staying anchored to what matters most: our marriage, our family, and God’s calling for our home. The Lord has given us the time and grace we need to do that well. He is so good, and we are so blessed. Having all our boys home for Christmas felt like heaven – just laughter, food, love, and dreaming about the future.
As we turn the page into a new year, I want to thank you – truly. To my friends, supporters, and allies: thank you for being there. Thank you for the prayers and encouragement. Thank you for standing with me, especially when the enemy attacks. I’ve learned something over the years: if we aren’t being attacked, we probably aren’t doing anything worthwhile.
It is much safer to do nothing than to take risks, build, and speak the truth. There will always be something for the sidelines to spin and criticize. But I hope my “don’t-care-ism” gives others the courage to keep going – to just do, just say, just build, just obey God.
Jesus is our example, and He never wasted time answering His critics. (I don’t always follow His example perfectly…but I’m trying!) He accomplished His mission, and so will we.
From my family to yours, I’m wishing you a blessed, joyful, and prosperous 2026. May God strengthen you, protect you, and give you peace as you walk confidently into all He has prepared.
With gratitude and faith,
Erika
P.S. We also launched a refreshed website and I’d love for you to take a look. It’s the best place to follow what I’m working on and where I believe the Lord is leading next: erikadonalds.com.
