The Marcus Foster Education Institute is one of the oldest and most well-regarded education nonprofits in Oakland. It was created shortly after its namesake, Marcus Foster, the first Black superintendent in Oakland, was assassinated by the Symbionese Liberation Army in 1973. For decades, the institute has distributed millions of dollars to support thousands of students. It has also acted as a financial steward for educational and arts organizations, including city and school district programs funded with public money.