Creating Community

The Portola Valley Schools Foundation hosts its biennial FANFare fundraiser to support our amazing schools and promote connectivity among parents and community members.

By auctioning off get-togethers and shared experiences, the Foundation provides a welcoming community for all families. The buy-in parties are open to all and many sell out quickly. The fun commences in the weeks after the biennial FANFare and continues through to the next fundraiser two years later. We strive to appeal to all ages and interests, including family oriented events, kids only activities, and adult friendly experiences.

Some recent buy-in parties and gala events include:

Cats vs Dogs

Fundraiser party for the Portola Valley Schools Foundation

The Cats vs Dogs fundraiser party had a dozen 4th graders playing with dogs and cats at the Pets in Need shelter in Redwood City. The kids learned about pet care, made toys for the animals at the shelter, ate pizza and cupcakes then took home a goodie bag with the stuffed adoption animal of their choice.

Native Species Party

One example of our popular buy-in parties was 2015’s “Out in Nature Native Species Party.” Some 20 children aged 4-7 were treated to an afternoon of nature appreciation at a private home adjoining the Mid-Peninsula Open Space Preserve. The afternoon’s activities included a scavenger adventure hunt, back-to-nature games and a surprise snakes and lizards show.

Yoga Under the Redwoods

Fundraiser Buy-in Party for the Portola Valley Schools Foundation

At another 2019 buy-in party, a dozen members of the school community joined together on a redwood deck for an hour of Hatha yoga followed by brunch and a hike to an overlook for a view across the valley below.

Dahlia Day

Dahlia Day at Forever Bloom Farm

The 2019 Dahlia Day buy-in party brought a dozen of the district’s moms to Forever Bloom Farm in Pescadero, where they learned how to cultivate, cut and arrange flowers, then had a luncheon of local artisanal cheeses, homemade breads, fruit from nearby farms and fresh made lemonade.

Fund-A-Need: Above and Beyond Learning Experiences

Every other year, the Portola Valley Schools Foundation hosts a gala get together to raise money for one specific aspect of our children’s education. In 2019, we raised over $100,000 to fund a series of curriculum enhancements and events intended to spark the minds of students and make life-long learning impressions.

Our most recent gala in 2024 raised money to upgrade sound systems, projectors, and signage for the Multi Use Rooms on both campuses.