If you work in education, global development, or just spend time around nonprofit spaces, you have probably come across names like Teach For Nigeria, Teach For India, or Teach For All. And maybe you have wondered: Why is the “For” capitalized? Is it grammatically right?
Well, yes, technically, it breaks the traditional rules of title case. According to The Chicago Manual of Style (17th ed., Rule 8.157), short prepositions like for, in, or on are usually written in lowercase unless they start a title. So by that rule, it should be Teach for All.
But here is the thing: this is not a typo. It’s a deliberate choice, a branding decision.
Here are some research deliverable on that:
More than Grammar: It is about Identity
The use of a capital “F” in Teach For All is part of how the organization expresses its mission and identity. On its website, Teach For All talks about building “a world where all children have the education, support, and opportunity to fulfill their potential” (Teach For All, n.d.). That “For” is not just a connecting word, it carries meaning. It is about teaching for justice, for equality, for all.
Capitalizing “For” turns it into a statement of purpose, a signal that this work is mission-driven, not just descriptive.
Brand strategist Alina Wheeler explains that branding often prioritizes clarity, symbolism, and consistency over rigid grammar rules (Wheeler, 2017). And with over 60 partner organizations around the world, Teach For All uses this stylization across the board. It is not just a name; it is a unifying thread in how the stories are told to the world.
Brand vs. Program: A Useful Distinction
Now, contrast that with something like TaRL, Teaching at the Right Level, a learning approach developed by Pratham and widely used in Africa and Asia. The name is written grammatically, with only the acronym capitalized, because it is not a brand in the same sense. It is a method, a framework, an approach grounded in pedagogy, not marketing.
This contrast shows us something important: brand names often bend language to make a point, while program names tend to stick to standard grammar. Both are valid, but they serve different purposes.
Why should you care?
You might ask, “Okay, but does this really matter?”
Yes, it does, especially if you are writing reports, creating content, or communicating on behalf of organizations in the development space. Understanding how and why certain names are stylized can help you:
1. Avoid “fixing” what is not broken (no, Teach For All doesn’t need correcting)
2. Show respect for the organization’s identity and voice
3. Read between the lines of how branding and mission connect
As Daniel Chandler notes in his book Semiotics: The Basics, the way things are written, even something as small as a capital letter, can carry symbolic meaning (Chandler, 2007).
That is true in design, in politics, and definitely in global education.
Bottom Line
Writing Teach For All with a capital “F” might look odd at first, but it is intentional. It is part of a larger strategy to keep the mission front and center. Language is not just about rules, it is also about meaning, voice, and connection.
So next time you write about organizations like this, pause before correcting the “grammar.” Sometimes, those capital letters are doing more than just shouting, they are speaking.
I stand with:
Teach For All, Teach For Nigeria and every other network organization!
I am,
Daniel ABDUL.
References
Banerjee, A., Banerji, R., Duflo, E., Glennerster, R., & Khemani, S. (2016). From proof of concept to scalable policies: Lessons from the teaching at the right level approach in India. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 31(4), 73–102.
Chandler, D. (2007). Semiotics: The basics. Routledge.
Teach For All. (n.d.). About us. Retrieved from www.teachforall.org
Wheeler, A. (2017). Designing brand identity: An essential guide for the whole branding team (5th ed.). Wiley.
The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition. (2017). University of Chicago Press.