The San Marino Schools Foundation is grateful for the community’s overwhelming support for San Marino schools this year. Following several difficult fundraising years through the pandemic, the foundation is reestablishing community ties and receiving tremendous support.
“We are so grateful for all of our donors and have a lot of positive momentum right now as we enter the last few months of crucial fundraising,” said President Alison Moller.
The foundation’s recent donor recognition party was a huge success, with more than 300 parents and children in attendance as the foundation’s most generous donors enjoyed each other’s company under starry skies. Other year-end activities included yard signs being planted to recognize loyal supporters of this year’s annual campaign, seven new trustees joining the foundation in the coming school year, and a campaign to engage local businesses, which has yielded promising results.
The foundation has played an integral role in funding San Marino Schools for more than 40 years. Due to state and federal funding formulas, the San Marino Unified School District receives far less public funding than most districts in the state. To maintain its award-winning excellence and low student-to-teacher ratio, the district relies on local funding sources such as the foundation’s annual $2 million contribution and two parcel taxes. The foundation alone supports 20 teachers across all four district schools. Even during the past two pandemic-impacted fundraising years, the foundation delivered on its promise to the SMUSD. Moller credits past President Erin Bilvado with steering the foundation through this difficult time.
“Erin knew that the community, when called upon, would not let their commitment to the schools falter,” Moller said.
Some of the best examples of this commitment are the partnerships that have been forged with local San Marino businesses.
“Local businesses really complement school families and community residents in our fundraising efforts,” said Tom Koch, the foundation trustee in charge of this year’s fundraising.
Mike Chou, a prominent local realtor, jumped at the opportunity to add the foundation to many other charities he supports. Additionally, Brent Chang, an established realtor in the area and consistent donor to the foundation, said: “Continued support of our schools is essential to maintaining San Marino’s strong real estate market.”
Local business owners such as orthodontist Tina Siu, tutoring agencies like Mathnasium, restaurant New Moon, and local utilities, including American Water, have donated generously this year. Siu, whose two children are San Marino Titans, is not only a longtime donor at the banner level but has also served twice on the foundation board of trustees. Local businesses are recognized not only with banners along Huntington Drive, but also in the foundation’s annual “thank-you” advertisement.
“We hope more businesses will see this as an opportunity to connect with the community, and we are happy to recognize and promote them as donors,” Koch said.
In addition to fundraising, the foundation restarted its internship program this year, engaging five SMHS students to help with everything from activity planning to social media engagement. Renewed alumni outreach and engagement is also a priority, with plans for the foundation to start a quarterly Titan alumni newsletter and engage with alumni in their reunion years. Another of the foundation’s priorities is adding to its existing endowment through a planned giving program that will be launched next year. Remembering the foundation in a will or estate creates legacy benefits for the schools, allowing a donor’s generosity to create lasting impact in perpetuity.
Schools Foundation Appreciates Its Community Donors
