What We Do
Throughout the year, a dedicated board of directors and dozens of volunteers come together to raise funds to distribute to our ABC Unified schools. Our reach extends to 20,500 students in 30 schools in 5 communities (Artesia, Cerritos, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood and Norwalk.) Donations to the Foundation are given back to ABCUSD schools through our Mini Grant program. Teachers and staff apply for funding in the fall of every year and awardees are announced at year-end. Donations are gifted in January at our annual Donor Acknowledgment & Grant Awardee event. The Foundation focuses on granting money towards as many schools and programs as possible to ensure Every ABC Student and Every ABC School Succeeds.
Donations are also made towards specific fundraisers throughout the year. The Foundation's backpack program requests donations of cash and school supplies which are given directly to needy students at all ABC schools.
The Foundation is able to partner with awarded teachers, administrators and schools to ensure that our donations are making maximum impact and that students are experiencing the full benefits of the proposed programs.
If a school has a PTA or their own Foundation can they also be supported by the ABC Education Foundation?
Absolutely! The ABC Education Foundation is here to support every school in the district. PTAs and dedicated school foundations focus on their school's specific needs and often spend their money on resources or materials for the school, electives and special school events. The ABC Education Foundation allows all district teachers to apply for funding for specific projects regardless of if their school has a PTA or foundation. Some schools do not have a fundraising arm and even those who do, most are not able to meet every request, which is where the ABC Education Foundation plays a crucial role. Despite their different roles, both the ABC Education Foundation and the PTA work to fund critical programs our schools and students wouldn't otherwise have.
Can I designate how my funds are 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 a community partner is interested in supporting a certain sector of student achievement we would absolutely welcome that donation and/or partnerships. Our priority is to ensure that the students benefit and the partners feel pride in how their donation was used. Please contact [email protected] for additional information.
"I am so thankful for the ABC Education Foundation Grant because my students are able to get the resources they need from generous donors!"--Paige Larkin, Niemes Elementary School
Donations are also made towards specific fundraisers throughout the year. The Foundation's backpack program requests donations of cash and school supplies which are given directly to needy students at all ABC schools.
The Foundation is able to partner with awarded teachers, administrators and schools to ensure that our donations are making maximum impact and that students are experiencing the full benefits of the proposed programs.
If a school has a PTA or their own Foundation can they also be supported by the ABC Education Foundation?
Absolutely! The ABC Education Foundation is here to support every school in the district. PTAs and dedicated school foundations focus on their school's specific needs and often spend their money on resources or materials for the school, electives and special school events. The ABC Education Foundation allows all district teachers to apply for funding for specific projects regardless of if their school has a PTA or foundation. Some schools do not have a fundraising arm and even those who do, most are not able to meet every request, which is where the ABC Education Foundation plays a crucial role. Despite their different roles, both the ABC Education Foundation and the PTA work to fund critical programs our schools and students wouldn't otherwise have.
Can I designate how my funds are 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 a community partner is interested in supporting a certain sector of student achievement we would absolutely welcome that donation and/or partnerships. Our priority is to ensure that the students benefit and the partners feel pride in how their donation was used. Please contact [email protected] for additional information.
"I am so thankful for the ABC Education Foundation Grant because my students are able to get the resources they need from generous donors!"--Paige Larkin, Niemes Elementary School