February 12, 2008
San Carlos Education Foundation Receives $1.5 Million Gift from
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
Largest single gift in SCEF history to be used to create endowment
The San Carlos Educational Foundation (SCEF), an organization that supports educational excellence by raising funds to bridge the gap between its district needs and state funding, today announced the receipt of a $1.5 million donation from the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF). The gift, which represents the largest single donation received in the SCEF’s 25-year history, will be used to set up an endowment that will help support San Carlos schools for years to come.
After developing a strong partnership with the SCEF for the past several years, PAMF chose to include the donation as part of its development agreement with the City of San Carlos for the construction of the PAMF San Carlos Center, a medical center to be built at 301 Industrial Road. The project received unanimous approval from the San Carlos City Council last October. The donation is intended to be used to support health-related programs such as health education, physical education, nutrition and counseling.
“PAMF has a longstanding commitment to children and to schools, and we are very proud of our association with the SCEF. As we listened to and worked with the San Carlos community, we learned that education is a top priority for the residents of San Carlos and there is tremendous respect for the SCEF’s efforts,” said David Druker, M.D., president and CEO of PAMF. “Through this donation, as well as through ongoing free parent workshops, we are pleased to support education in the San Carlos community.”
According to April Carlson, the SCEF’s president, the endowment will add critical funding support: while annual giving will continue to be vital to the Foundation’s efficacy, the endowment, which will be invested to provide annual income, will work to make individual contributions even more valuable. While PAMF’s gift used to create the endowment will be earmarked for health-related programs, the endowment is expected to eventually be expanded to support a range of programs.
“Great schools are built on strong foundations. This generous donation from PAMF will help build momentum for the programs that our annual gifts maintain,” said Carlson.
The SCEF helps ensure that children receive a quality public school education in an uncertain state and federal budget climate. Programs the SCEF funds include librarians, K-4 physical education instructors, middle school band and orchestra directors, elementary vocal music staff, fine arts programming, science and technology instructors and counseling programs.
“The physical fitness and health care programs for children that this donation will help to fund are all critical components of a healthy society and speak directly to PAMF's health care mission, as well as our long-established commitment to preventive medicine,” said Dr. Druker. “We look forward to continuing our relationship with the SCEF and promoting healthy lifestyles in the community.”
Added Carlson: “We value our strong partnership with PAMF. Additionally, we are proud that PAMF recognizes that the SCEF enjoys broad community support and that we are the most efficient, cost-effective way to provide funding for additional staff and programming at all seven San Carlos schools.”
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