Questions and Answers
What does the ABC Education Foundation do?
The ABC Education Foundation is a community-based, nonprofit organization that raises money to ensure that every child, every school, has the opportunities and resources to succeed and become their absolute best, benefiting them and the entire ABC community. This is accomplished by providing financial support and enrichment programs for the students and parents of the ABCUSD. State funding for education in California is inadequate for many basic programs and certainly insufficient to fund any enrichment programs. The ABC Education Foundation will help fill the gap between what the state provides the district and what it costs to provide a well-rounded, quality education for students.
The ABC Education Foundation gave over $65,000 in grants to ABCUSD schools in 2023 with funds raised by individual and corporation donations . Mini-grants help fund programs that would otherwise not receive any funding. These programs contribute to an exceptional education and help place our school in the top rankings in the state.
I thought the state Lottery was supposed to provide a significant amount to education?
This is an often misunderstood element of school funding. Lottery funds account for approximately $140/pupil in TK-12 education. Lottery funds don’t only go to TK-12 schools; they support students in all areas of public education including Community Colleges, the University of California, the California State University system, Adult Education, Charter Schools and even the schools at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation – Division of Juvenile Justice receive Lottery funds. Our students receive very little from the Lottery.
Why do we need both the ABC Education Foundation and a PTA?
The ABC Education Foundation’s focus is on funding services needed to teach programs at school sites district-wide. Some schools do not have a PTA, and for those that do - each one has its own board that raises and spends funds in the same school year to pay for campus-specific items such as technology, school supplies and electives for example. ABC Education Foundation allows a platform for teachers from all schools to request funding for specific projects that they know would benefit their students’ academic, physical or emotional well being. ABC Education Foundation also supports district wide and multi school events and services like the Reading Olympics and health and wellness equipment. Despite their different roles, both the ABC Education Foundation and the PTA will work together to fund critical programs our schools wouldn’t otherwise have.
How much should I give?
We won't turn away your donation! All children in the district benefit from the educators and programs that the Foundation will fund and every gift contributes to a better education. As the state budget remains in flux, it is vitally important that we preserve or increase our annual budget.
Does your company have a matching gifts program?
The ABC Education Foundation can help with the paperwork to provide eligibility for the Foundation to receive matching funds from participating companies. Please check with your employer to see if they offer such a program. We will help you! If you have a child or grandchild in ABCUSD, you have the very best reason to donate.
Can I designate how my donation is used?
The ABC Education Foundation supports a wide array of programs ranging from STEM enrichment programs to social and emotional development programs. Since we do not know what requests will come in year over year it is in the best interest of the students and teachers to have a pool of unrestricted funds to ensure that the foundation can gift all donations received for appropriate programs. If you are interested in donating to a certain cause, please contact us to discuss the opportunities, we would be happy to partner with you. You can email [email protected] for additional information.
I want to donate to the ABC Education Foundation but can’t give a lump sum – do you have payment options?
The ABC Education Foundation has several payment options or you can ask for donation envelopes at your school office that will include the following:
Installments—donations are charged to your credit card automatically on the schedule you select.
You can establish an installment plan through our online donation system or using the donation envelope.
One-time donation provided by check or credit card.
Don’t forget to submit the paperwork for a matching funds donation from your employer.
Matching Funds Program
Many companies can contribute to the ABC Education Foundation through a matching funds program. We will work with you to set up a matching funds programs at your work. Please check with your employer to find out if they offer such a program. Please contact Scott Smith at 562-229-7864 for help in setting up this program.
What can we do to change the overall financial situation in our schools?
Your vote for city council, state and federal officials is a very important tool and can influence district. These elected officials are responsible for the oversight and funding of the state’s educational system. Although we often voice our frustrations within our local community, it is important to make your views known to other elected officials as well. Advocate whenever you can and continue to be an educated voter.
The ABC Education Foundation is a community-based, nonprofit organization that raises money to ensure that every child, every school, has the opportunities and resources to succeed and become their absolute best, benefiting them and the entire ABC community. This is accomplished by providing financial support and enrichment programs for the students and parents of the ABCUSD. State funding for education in California is inadequate for many basic programs and certainly insufficient to fund any enrichment programs. The ABC Education Foundation will help fill the gap between what the state provides the district and what it costs to provide a well-rounded, quality education for students.
The ABC Education Foundation gave over $65,000 in grants to ABCUSD schools in 2023 with funds raised by individual and corporation donations . Mini-grants help fund programs that would otherwise not receive any funding. These programs contribute to an exceptional education and help place our school in the top rankings in the state.
I thought the state Lottery was supposed to provide a significant amount to education?
This is an often misunderstood element of school funding. Lottery funds account for approximately $140/pupil in TK-12 education. Lottery funds don’t only go to TK-12 schools; they support students in all areas of public education including Community Colleges, the University of California, the California State University system, Adult Education, Charter Schools and even the schools at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation – Division of Juvenile Justice receive Lottery funds. Our students receive very little from the Lottery.
Why do we need both the ABC Education Foundation and a PTA?
The ABC Education Foundation’s focus is on funding services needed to teach programs at school sites district-wide. Some schools do not have a PTA, and for those that do - each one has its own board that raises and spends funds in the same school year to pay for campus-specific items such as technology, school supplies and electives for example. ABC Education Foundation allows a platform for teachers from all schools to request funding for specific projects that they know would benefit their students’ academic, physical or emotional well being. ABC Education Foundation also supports district wide and multi school events and services like the Reading Olympics and health and wellness equipment. Despite their different roles, both the ABC Education Foundation and the PTA will work together to fund critical programs our schools wouldn’t otherwise have.
How much should I give?
We won't turn away your donation! All children in the district benefit from the educators and programs that the Foundation will fund and every gift contributes to a better education. As the state budget remains in flux, it is vitally important that we preserve or increase our annual budget.
Does your company have a matching gifts program?
The ABC Education Foundation can help with the paperwork to provide eligibility for the Foundation to receive matching funds from participating companies. Please check with your employer to see if they offer such a program. We will help you! If you have a child or grandchild in ABCUSD, you have the very best reason to donate.
Can I designate how my donation is used?
The ABC Education Foundation supports a wide array of programs ranging from STEM enrichment programs to social and emotional development programs. Since we do not know what requests will come in year over year it is in the best interest of the students and teachers to have a pool of unrestricted funds to ensure that the foundation can gift all donations received for appropriate programs. If you are interested in donating to a certain cause, please contact us to discuss the opportunities, we would be happy to partner with you. You can email [email protected] for additional information.
I want to donate to the ABC Education Foundation but can’t give a lump sum – do you have payment options?
The ABC Education Foundation has several payment options or you can ask for donation envelopes at your school office that will include the following:
Installments—donations are charged to your credit card automatically on the schedule you select.
You can establish an installment plan through our online donation system or using the donation envelope.
One-time donation provided by check or credit card.
Don’t forget to submit the paperwork for a matching funds donation from your employer.
Matching Funds Program
Many companies can contribute to the ABC Education Foundation through a matching funds program. We will work with you to set up a matching funds programs at your work. Please check with your employer to find out if they offer such a program. Please contact Scott Smith at 562-229-7864 for help in setting up this program.
What can we do to change the overall financial situation in our schools?
Your vote for city council, state and federal officials is a very important tool and can influence district. These elected officials are responsible for the oversight and funding of the state’s educational system. Although we often voice our frustrations within our local community, it is important to make your views known to other elected officials as well. Advocate whenever you can and continue to be an educated voter.