SVEF believes that every child deserves an inspiring education that challenges the mind and opens opportunities for the future.
hidden anchor link
|
Our MissionThe Sonoma Valley Education Foundation exists to cultivate community support and raise funds to benefit the Sonoma Valley Unified School District in enabling the potential of every student.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & InclusionAs a nonprofit organization with a mission to improve the quality of life in our community, it is essential that we confront the effects of racism and discrimination, accept that we have work to do and recognize that we bear collective responsibility for dismantling systemic racism and injustice in our community. Therefore, we are committing to:
|
hidden anchor link
Grants & FundingWhile we are an independent foundation, we work with the Sonoma Valley Unified School District (SVUSD) to determine where and how to implement programs that have a broad and measurable impact on student success. We also administer grants at the campus, classroom, and individual levels. Our funding is directed through these specific channels:
|
Major Program Grants
Our largest grants support high-impact, multi-year programs throughout the school district. These grants address clear, measurable objectives with the potential for significant impact on student outcomes, along with strong support from district and program personnel. Classroom Grants In early 2022, we expanded our flagship Classroom Grants program to better support teachers and their students with the extremely challenging - and essential - task of helping students catch up. Through this program, teachers are able to request one-time grants of $1,000 to support instruction, curriculum, field trips, or professional development. We also moved to an ongoing funding model, and approve requests on a monthly basis (rather than the once-a-year schedule we previously operated. This has given teachers much more flexibility in submitting our requests, and as a result we are approving more requests than ever before. PTO Grants Grants of up to $1,500 made to school PTOs. |
hidden anchor link
|
Our HistorySVEF was founded in 1993 by five public school parents seeking to support and enhance their students’ educational opportunities. SVEF began by providing grants to teachers and administrators, and sponsoring community initiatives, such as family night at the local library branch and school orientations for Latino families. Throughout 26 years of providing support to SVUSD schools, SVEF has invested over $20 million dollars in Sonoma Valley public schools.
|
hidden anchor link
Our Programs
Preschool for All
The Sonoma Valley Education Foundation has supported preschool in SVUSD since 2012, serving 104 students aged 3-5 in half-day programs at three elementary school sites. As a result, the percentage of students entering SVUSD kindergarten classrooms with at least one year of preschool experience has increased from 50% to 80%. The program has expanded from one classroom at a single site, to three classrooms across three elementary school sites in the Sonoma Valley Unified School District. In 2021, one of the preschool sites also expanded from a half-day to a full-day program, which was the single biggest increase in fully-subsidized preschool in our community in recent years.
For a more in-depth understanding of our preschool program, watch our video:
For a more in-depth understanding of our preschool program, watch our video:
Summer School
New for this year, SVEF will support our district’s 2023 summer school program for high school students. Every year, SVUSD provides summer programs which allow students to repeat classes for credit, and/or for students to take original credit courses. We anticipate that this program will serve well over 300 students—a large increase from pre-pandemic numbers, but a reflection of the struggle many students still face in catching up from distance learning.
hidden anchor link
Anchor links code. Do Not Delete