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Los Altos Education Foundation tops goal and partners with district to centralize instructional fundraising
Summary
The Los Altos Educational Foundation exceeded its fundraising target and delivered a $350,000 supplemental grant; the district, LEF and PTAs will realign fundraising so LEF and the district manage instructional programs while PTAs focus on community events.
Chrissa Sanders, president of the Los Altos Educational Foundation, told the Los Altos School District Board of Trustees that LEF exceeded its fundraising goal this year and provided an additional $350,000 grant to the district, bringing total annual grants to just over $3 million.
The board heard a detailed presentation from the districteducation partners outlining a planned two‑year realignment of fundraising responsibilities among the district, LEF and site PTAs. Under the proposal, LEF will centralize fundraising for instructional programs and increase its fundraising target—presenters said LEF expects to raise an additional $900,000 and will increase the per‑student ask—to reduce variability in program funding and to allow PTAs to focus on community‑building activities.
District staff said the change shifts oversight and management of core instructional contracts and vendors to the district while LEF provides larger grants. Presenters argued the change will reduce donor confusion from overlapping solicitations and free PTAs from much of the administrative work that volunteer leaders currently shoulder. The education partnersrepresentative said the realignment is expected to result in about a 55% average reduction in PTA administrative fundraising activity.
Jenny Pek, who has led districtwide community events, spoke during public comment in favor of the shift, urging open collaboration between LEF and PTAs and noting PTAsstrength in event‑based and low‑cost fundraising.
Board members thanked LEF, PTAs and staff for the partnership and acknowledged that many programs at the district rely on supplemental fundraising. Trustees and staff said they will monitor implementation closely to ensure continuity of services to students and clarity for families about where to direct support.
The education partners representative said details on account setup and site‑level fund management will be developed during the implementation phase and that principals will have school accounts to manage funds moving forward. The board will receive updates as the plan is operationalized.
