Love of Learning
Educator grants, classroom volunteers and hands‑on STEM that spark curiosity and confidence.
- Equity Grants for Educators
- Classroom Volunteers
- Super Science Saturdays & Maker Camp
Berkeley, California · Est. 1983
Every Berkeley kid deserves to thrive.
The Berkeley Public Schools Fund is the single largest source of outside funding reaching teachers and programs in every Berkeley public school — Pre‑K through 12th grade. Educator grants, trained volunteers and free STEM programs, powered entirely by our community.
501(c)(3) nonprofit 4★ Charity Navigator EIN 94‑2918219
01 — Our story
Born from a community that refused to let schools go without.
1983
…and still going strong 1978Proposition 13 passes
California restructures property taxes, and resources for public schools begin to shrink.
1983Parents step up
A group of Berkeley parents and community leaders found the Berkeley Public Education Foundation — today’s Berkeley Public Schools Fund.
firstGrants for educators
The Fund starts by putting money directly into teachers’ hands for classroom projects.
thenBerkeley Schools Volunteers
Trained community volunteers are matched with host teachers in classrooms, gardens, libraries and after‑school programs.
nowSTEM & essential needs
Free hands‑on STEM programs, food equity work and a District‑Wide Family Emergency Fund that every BUSD school joined in its first year.
02 — The 2024–25 school year
One year, counted.
When our students thrive, our whole community thrives. Here’s what Berkeley built together last year.
388
Berkeley Schools Volunteers in classrooms
30,369
hours of volunteer service
$1.2M
in volunteer value for Berkeley schools
740+
students in free, hands‑on STEM programs
13,500+
lbs of food through 11 school‑site pantries
700+
families supported by school pantries
600+
families equipped with backpacks & supplies
36+
district projects supported through fiscal sponsorship
Source: Berkeley Public Schools Fund Impact Report 2024–2025.
03 — What drives our work
Three things every student needs.
Our vision: public schools that support students of all identities and life experiences to thrive — in school and in life.
Safety & Belonging
Educator‑driven projects that make Berkeley schools safer, more inclusive and more connected.
- Toolbox social‑emotional curriculum
- Welcoming Schools in middle schools
- Crisis intervention training for staff
Essential Needs
Partnering with district and community organizations so no child arrives at school hungry or unprepared.
- School‑site food pantries
- High School Food Equity Program
- Family Emergency Fund
04 — Programs
Where your support shows up.
Teachers know what their students need. We fund it.
Collaborative grants that close gaps in student learning, wellness and belonging — designed and led by BUSD educators.
- Math fluency
- Social‑emotional learning
- LGBTQ+ inclusive campuses
- Running for Empowerment
- Crisis training
1 hr
a week is all it takes. Volunteers are custom‑matched with host teachers by grade level and subject.
Become a volunteer →
— STEM Programs Explore STEM →
Closing the opportunity gap in STEM.
Free, hands‑on K–12 programs that spark curiosity and belonging — especially for students underrepresented in STEM. Paid high‑school mentors lead the way: 127 mentor jobs created in four years.
Super Science SaturdaysSix weekends, spring & fall · Grades 1–5 · museums & STEM pros
Maker Camp4 weeks each summer · Grades 6–9 · game design, animation, engineering
More than a snack.
School Support Volunteers, pantries, biweekly produce delivery and a fresh‑fruit pilot at Berkeley High.
1,200boxes of produce delivered home
150cases of fruit for BHS classrooms
A home for grassroots school projects.
From Raza Youth Concilio and Young MENtors at Longfellow to the District‑Wide Family Emergency Fund.
200+Longfellow students reached
63families helped by the Emergency Fund
The Schools Fund is essential to realizing the district’s commitment to equity, excellence, enrichment and engagement for all of our students.Enikia Ford MorthelSuperintendent, Berkeley Unified School District
05 — Financials 2024–25
Every dollar, accounted for.
4★Charity
Navigator
Navigator
75¢
of every dollar goes straight to programs
- Contributed — unrestricted
- $1,081,483
- Contributed — restricted
- $624,077
- Other revenue
- $80,546
- Total revenue
- $1,786,106
- Programs
- $1,316,411
- Management & general
- $238,390
- Fundraising
- $190,002
- Total expenses
- $1,744,803
06 — In their own words
The best part? The kids.
“I believe a good public school system is the foundation of our democracy.”
“Volunteering is one of the most rewarding things I’ve done since retiring. It gives me both purpose and joy.”
“It makes such a difference for our girls to see high school mentors they can relate to.”
“Raza Youth Concilio is about representing our culture, learning from other Latinos, and supporting each other.”
“To see a child ‘get’ something is one of the most exciting moments in anyone’s life.”
“The Family Emergency Fund helps remove the barriers that keep students from attending school.”
“Mr. Mike makes math work for my students. They are more confident, prepared, and competent because of him.”
08 — Get involved
Invest in students. Strengthen Berkeley.
09 — The people
A small team with a big district.
19‑member Board of Directors of Berkeley parents, educators and community leaders — including founding members Mary Friedman and Allan “Chuck” Miller.
- 01Duffy RossExecutive Director
- 02Anand KalraDirector of Finance & Operations
- 03Genevieve Leighton‑ArmahLead Program Manager, STEM
- 04Nagat AlwasimSTEM Programs Manager
- 05Jissel PobleteProgram Manager, Grants & Classroom Volunteers
- 06Sally McLaughlinProgram Manager, School Support Volunteers & Essential Needs
- 07Karina Cruz RosalesCommunications Manager
- 08Seth NewmanDevelopment Officer
- 09Mona HusseinFinance & Development Associate
