About Us
Why an Education Foundation?
Funding what the system cannot, investing where the need is greatest, reminding our educators their community is behind them, and helping students believe in what’s possible.
In California, public education has been underfunded for decades — ever since Proposition 13 shifted school funding away from local communities and left districts grappling with widening gaps and shrinking resources.
While state and federal dollars provide some relief, they’re often unpredictable, inflexible, and simply not enough — especially in communities facing historic inequities.
That’s where we come in.
The San Juan Education Foundation exists to bridge those gaps — not just with funding, but with a mission, a vision, and a set of values that guide everything we do.
Who We Are
We are:
- Agile, able to pivot quickly and thoughtfully to meet the evolving needs of our community.
- Bold, asking big questions and investing in innovative, high-impact ideas.
- Generous, sharing time, talent, and treasure freely.
- Optimistic, believing that resources, opportunity, and possibility are abundant.
- Spirited, leading with energy, heart, and determination.
And because we’re powered by local generosity and shared purpose, we stay focused on what matters most: helping every student reach their potential and every educator bring learning to life.
Although we work in close partnership with the San Juan Unified School District, the Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We are led by a Board of Directors providing direct support to San Juan Unified educators through classroom grants and to students through scholarships.
About San Juan Unified
San Juan Unified School District serves more than 40,000 students, from preschool through adult education, across 64 school sites. With over 5,000 dedicated employees, the district supports learners in the vibrant, diverse communities of Arden-Arcade, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks, Gold River, and Orangevale.
“I am so grateful for the partnership between the San Juan Education Foundation and the San Juan Unified School District. The San Juan Unified Education Foundation continues making dreams come true for our schools, classrooms, teachers, and students.”