“We are fortunate to be able to assist in ensuring that A to Z grants will be available to teachers in perpetuity. This investment not only helps students—it’s an investment in our vibrant Oakland community.” – Greg Tschider
The Oakland Public Education Fund (“The Ed Fund”) announced that a new A to Z Fund Endowment has been created and seeded with a combined $1.5M donation from Greg Tschider and Jennifer Otte, and an anonymous donor who gave through the Jewish Community Federation. The goal is to grow this endowment to $5M to serve as a sustainable funding source for A to Z grants in perpetuity.
The Ed Fund’s A to Z Fund offers mini-grants to teachers for professional development and innovative, enriching learning opportunities like field trips, music, sports, and other underfunded opportunities.
“These experiences can inspire students to explore the world beyond their classrooms,” said Ed Fund Executive Director Alexandria Medina.”From first-grade trips to the zoo to middle and high school college visits, students can learn, grow, and imagine an exciting future.”
“Oakland has been and continues to be an important part of our family’s community. Watching our daughters learn, grow, and thrive in a public school system has taught us how critical it is for all students to have access to a quality education.” Tschider said. “We are fortunate to be able to assist in ensuring that A to Z grants will be available to teachers in perpetuity. This investment not only helps students—it’s an investment in our vibrant Oakland community.”
The announcement was made during the Ed Fund’s Gala held Sept. 29 at Chabot Space & Science Center, celebrating 20 years of supporting educational equity for all Oakland public school students. The Gala raised over $426,000 to support the Ed Fund’s core mission and programs including the A to Z Fund.
In addition to the endowment announcement, Helen Bulwik and David Silver were each named 2023 Community Champion Award recipients for their work advancing educational equity in Oakland public schools. PG&E and The PG&E Corporation Foundation were also recognized for their ongoing commitment to digital access in education, and Salesforce was recognized for investing over $52M in Oakland schools for middle school computer science, math, newcomer students, principal innovation, and community volunteering in OUSD.
Over the past 20 years, 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, TechLink, and Oakland Schools Emergency Fund.
For more information on The Ed Fund, visit oaklandedfund.org.
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