Partners in Education (PiE) Launches $5.1 Million Fundraising Campaign

PiE Funds Will Provide PAUSD Students with Art, Music, Science, Counselors, and More

PALO ALTO, CA – August 12, 2014. Palo Alto Partners in Education (PiE) announced today the launch of its 2014-5 fundraising campaign, which aims to secure $5.1 million in donations for Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD). This year’s campaign builds off PiE’s successful effort last year, which raised a record $5.0 million for public school students in Palo Alto.

The 2014-15 campaign is bolstered by a $500,000 challenge grant that will match every dollar donated or pledged to PiE between August 1st and September 5th, 2014. This challenge grant is the largest in the PiE’s 10-year history. PiE also aims to run its shortest campaign ever, and with the community’s help will end its campaign this year with payments or pledges made by December 15, 2014.

Thanks to donations to PiE last year, there are funds this year to pay for additional caring staff at every PAUSD grade level from kindergarten through high school. In Palo Alto public elementary schools, PiE will fund classroom aides, hands-on science and art instructors, instrumental music teachers and counselors. In middle school, PiE will support elective teachers that inspire students to explore new interests such as broadcast journalism and marine biology, along with counselors that support healthy adolescent development. And in high school, PiE-funded counselors will provide college application assistance and elective instructors will inspire students to take their interests to the next level in key STEM classes such as engineering and robotics.

“The funds and support from PiE set Palo Alto apart from other school districts,” said Dr. Max McGee, the new Superintendent of Palo Alto Unified School District. “Not only is it remarkable that over 4,500 parents gave to PiE last year, but also that PiE’s funding priorities are so closely aligned with the district’s goal of ensuring that every student has support from caring adults to reach success.”

About 200 parent volunteers drive PiE’s fundraising efforts, with PiE representatives who lead the campaign at each of Palo Alto’s 18 public schools. Many parents choose to give at the suggested ask of $800 per child, while others donate at a different level, including the more than 500 families who joined PiE’s Leadership Circle with a gift of $2,500 or more. PiE also receives donations from the business community and other Palo Alto residents who value public education. This year, PiE donors will have the option to either contribute or pledge by December 15th, which will let PiE to track its donations towards its fundraising goal, while also allowing people to give in the new year if they prefer.

“PiE makes a difference to our children every day and every donation matters to ensure we can continue to fund additional supportive adults in our classrooms,” said Asha Guha, President of PiE’s Board of Directors. “This year’s PiE campaign begins with our biggest ever challenge grant, which we hope will encourage families to double the impact of their contributions by pledging or donating to PiE by September 5th.”

About Palo Alto Partners in Education (PiE)

Palo Alto Partners in Education (PiE) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) education foundation dedicated to supporting all Palo Alto public schools. Through PiE’s partnership with parents, the school district, community members and businesses, PiE raises funds that give all students in PAUSD the best education possible. Since PiE’s inception in 2004-05, it has donated almost $30 million to Palo Alto schools. Learn more about PiE by visiting the Palo Alto Partners in Education website.

Contact

Victoria Thorp, Communications Chair
victoriathorp@gmail.com
415-378-8687