Celebrating 20 years of advancing education equity

The Oakland Public Education Fund (“Ed Fund”) will kick off its 20th year creating community partnerships that advance learning for all Oakland public school students with its first in-person fundraising gala since 2019. The 20th Anniversary Ed Fund Gala will take place on Friday, Sept. 29, from 6-11 p.m., at Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland.

“The Gala is an opportunity for the community to learn more about the Ed Fund’s work, connect with Oakland educators and educational partners, and celebrate the accomplishments of our amazing students,” said Alexandria Medina, Ed Fund Executive Director.

Gala tickets include dinner, live and silent auctions, dancing, and tours of Chabot’s exhibits and observation stations. Additionally, 2023 Community Champions David Silver and Helen Bulwik, and key Ed Fund sponsors Salesforce and The PG&E Corporation Foundation, will be recognized for their commitments to students and educators in Oakland public schools.

PG&E and The PG&E Corporation Foundation have continued their ongoing commitment to digital access in education, contributing a combined total of $900,000 for #OaklandUndivided to collectively ensure that 100 percent of Oakland public school students have access to a home computer, high-speed internet, and culturally competent tech support.

“We are extremely proud and grateful to support Oakland Unified School District students through our ongoing partnership with #OaklandUndivided. Creating equity in education and helping to close the digital divide for students in our hometown headquarters is not just something we want to do, it is something we must do to level the playing field and ensure the success of all Oakland students,” said Aaron Johnson, PG&E’s Vice President for the Bay Area Region.

Since 2016, Salesforce has invested over $52M in Oakland schools, transforming the middle school experience for students. The investment aims to build on important gains made in middle school computer science, math, newcomer students, principal innovation, and community volunteering in OUSD.

“We at Salesforce take great pride in partnering with the Ed Fund to support our local schools, as we believe investing in education today builds a brighter tomorrow for our community," says Dr. Ron Smith, Salesforce VP of Education and Workforce Development Philanthropy.

The Ed Fund has grown exponentially since its 2003 inception as the Oakland Small Schools Foundation, which supported five “small schools” within the Oakland Unified School District. By 2014, the organization expanded its mission to support all Oakland public schools and officially changed its name to the Oakland Public Education Fund.

To date, the Ed Fund has raised over $200 million for Oakland kids, placed more than 10,000 volunteers in local classrooms, created community partnerships, awarded more than $1 million in A to Z mini-grants to educators for school/classroom projects or professional development, and fiscally sponsored over 150 education-related projects.

Key projects include the A to Z Fund, Oakland School Volunteers, and Oakland Schools Emergency Fund. The A to Z Fund gives teachers additional resources to enhance and advance instruction and project-based classroom learning. The mini-grant program distributes money directly to educators for field trips, music, sports, and other curriculum enhancements that would otherwise be unavailable due to budget restraints.

“The Oakland Public Education Fund is a critical partner to the Oakland Unified School District,” said OUSD Superintendent Dr. Kyla Johnson-Trammell. “I’ve witnessed firsthand the difference the Ed Fund helps make for our students and schools.”

For Gala tickets, to bid on the silent auction, or to donate to the Ed Fund, visit https://www.oaklandedfund.org/programs/20th-anniversary-gala/

The Oakland Public Education Fund is a nonprofit that leads the development and investment of community resources in Oakland public schools so that all students can learn, grow, and thrive. To learn more about the Ed Fund’s 20 years of impact, visit www.oaklandedfund.org/programs/20th-anniversary.