Frequently Asked Questions

I pay very high property tax every year.  Isn’t that enough?

While much of our school district revenue comes from local property taxes, we rely on contributions by parents and the community to add key elements such as music, physical education, arts, language and science to our curriculum.  There is no way to provide the level of education our residents desire without financial contributions from the community. 

Why does the Foundation ask for $1500 per child?  Why should I donate at all when I am not able to give at this level?

Each year the Foundation determines the goal for that campaign based on a variety of factors.  This translates into a per child donation.  Some families can and do contribute more.  For other families, this amount is higher than they can afford.  The Foundation hopes every family at the schools will contribute at a level they feel comfortable with.  Since the programs funded by the Foundation touch every child in the district, we ask for donations from every family in the district. Having broad participation is critical to demonstrate support of the schools and these valuable programs.

If I donate to the Gala, do I also need to donate to the Annual Campaign?

Only the Annual Campaign funds are used to fund the basic operating budget of the school. Thus it is important for each family to participate in the Annual Campaign each year. Gala funds have traditionally been used to fund the Portola Valley Schools Foundation Endowment as well as for other specific uses. While we may need to use Gala dollars to fund revenue shortfalls in some years, in other years we will fund the District's Strategic plan.

How are the Annual Campaign and Endowment different?

The Annual Campaign funds the next academic year specifically, and each year the school counts on the Foundation for approximately 10% of the budget for the programs we all expect. The Endowment focuses on longer-term projects, which benefit the school through staff or program development as well as infrastructure. In addition, grants are given for specific one-time teacher initiated efforts. The Endowment also provides a safety net for the schools in case of emergency. 

How large is the Endowment? When did it start?

Started in 1998, and then galvanized into action at the 2000 Gala by a visionary group of 9 families, the Endowment now comprises assets of over $3 million and actively makes grants from its earnings in support of Portola Valley Schools.

What kind of programs does the Endowment fund?

The Endowment makes grants in three specific areas: augmenting the core curriculum, supporting excellence in teaching and providing an engine for innovation. Each grant supports one or more of these objectives, and is made in response to specific requests from the district, its teacher or its administrators.