Spark SF reports millions raised; board presses for transparency and educator representation

Viva Mogi, interim president of Spark SF (the district’s fundraising arm), presented a progress report at the March 13 board meeting outlining fundraising and grant activity for fiscal year 2017–18.

Mogi said the fall gala and related activities raised roughly $9,000,000 in philanthropic commitments and that grant activity accounted for approximately $8,000,000 in awarded or pending grant funds. She described Spark’s role as a hybrid nonprofit-district partner that raises private funds aligned to district priorities and provides oversight for philanthropic investments.

Board members asked for clearer transparency about how unrestricted and restricted funds are allocated, who decides funding priorities, and whether educators and classroom practitioners are represented on Spark’s board. Commissioner Sanchez and others urged adding a UESF (teachers’ union) or practitioner voice to Spark’s board; commissioners also asked for annual reporting and a standing calendar item so the board can track how Spark funds are spent and prioritized.

Mogi said some information is posted publicly and that Spark plans an annual report approved by Spark’s board; she agreed to follow up on bylaws questions and board composition. Commissioners also discussed Salesforce’s role as an anchor funder and urged Spark to leverage that support to recruit additional corporate and philanthropic contributors.

The board requested staff and Spark to return with a more detailed presentation on fund allocations, governance and plans to increase transparency and educator engagement.