Congratulations to Our 2024-25 Impact Grant Awardees!
This year, the Petaluma Educational Foundation proudly celebrates a record-breaking achievement: $330,275 in Fund the Future Impact Grants awarded across 22 transformative programs. These grants will ignite innovation in literacy, STEM, the arts, athletics, and more—fostering opportunities that will shape the future for students across our community.
We’re honored to champion these educators and programs, each representing the innovative spirit and dedication to student success that defines Petaluma. This milestone is a testament to the incredible generosity of our donors, sponsors, and partners—together, we are making a lasting impact.
But there’s still more to achieve.
This year, we’ve set our sights on an ambitious fundraising goal to ensure every program receives the support it deserves. Join us in championing the future: donate today and help us create extraordinary educational opportunities for years to come.
Read on for a summary of this year’s impact grant awardees!
Celebrating Innovation: 2024-25 Impact Grant Awardees
This year’s Impact Grants spotlight the exceptional creativity and dedication of educators across Petaluma. Each of the 22 programs funded exemplifies a deep commitment to enriching students’ learning experiences, fostering critical thinking, and addressing diverse academic and developmental needs. These innovative initiatives remind us of the transformative power of education when fueled by passion and community support.
Fostering Critical Thinking and Collaboration in STEM
The Spring Hill Schools – $30,000
This grant will provide equipment and supplies to revolutionize STEM education at The Spring Hill Schools, impacting grades K-8. By emphasizing hands-on experimentation and collaboration, the program will foster critical thinking and prepare students for challenges in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Kenilworth Junior High Fitness Lab
Kenilworth Junior High – $13,507
With these funds, Kenilworth will replace eight outdated weight machines with five state-of-the-art models. The updated fitness lab will support students' physical health, promoting lifelong wellness habits in a modern and engaging environment.
Fueling Fitness Forever
Harvest Christian – $13,504
Harvest Christian will enhance its athletics program by acquiring new fitness equipment to create a robust and dynamic environment for physical education. This investment will empower students to embrace active lifestyles and build confidence through fitness.
Strengthening Brain and Body Connections: IPM Expansion & Renewal
Waugh School District – $16,041
This grant will fund updated Integrated Perceptual Motor (IPM) equipment to support vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile, and visual systems through movement. Both Waugh campuses will benefit, ensuring students develop strong physical and cognitive foundations.
Nature-Based Learning at Miwok Valley
Miwok Valley Elementary – $14,744
Miwok Valley will transform an outdoor area into a hands-on learning space tailored for students in special education programs. This nature-based classroom will address sensory and academic needs, fostering growth through immersive, outdoor learning experiences.
Culinary Arts for Dunham Agriculture Program
Dunham Elementary – $15,612
This grant supports the integration of a culinary curriculum within Dunham’s agriculture program. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of nutrition and food preparation while connecting culinary arts with agriculture and sustainability.
Smart Board Technology Grant
St. Vincent de Paul College Prep – $12,500
The installation of five portable Smart Boards will modernize classrooms, enhancing teaching methods and boosting student engagement. This technology will provide interactive learning opportunities and elevate instructional capabilities.
Beyond the Projector: Enhancing Learning with Smart TVs
St. Vincent de Paul Elementary – $7,908
Replacing outdated projectors with four Smart TVs will enrich classroom learning, enabling dynamic, multimedia-driven instruction that captivates and inspires students.
Digital Design Multimedia Computers and Supporting Equipment
Petaluma Accelerated Charter School – $10,600
This grant funds 16 laptops and a camcorder to enhance the school’s Digital Design course. These resources will empower students to excel in multimedia production, fostering creativity and technical expertise.
Photography Equipment for PHS Journalism and Photojournalism
Petaluma High School – $5,500
A high-level camera and lens will enable professional-grade photojournalism, supporting the school’s journalism and yearbook programs. Students will gain hands-on experience capturing meaningful stories and preserving campus memories.
Intro to Digital Media Equipment
Petaluma Junior High – $16,788.45
With this grant, Petaluma Junior High will expand its inventory of digital media equipment, including 10 iPhones. This investment will support the growth of its media program, giving students access to industry-standard tools for creative projects.
Scale Wind Tunnel
Petaluma High – $9,864.01
Petaluma High will acquire a scale wind tunnel for its STEM programs, allowing students to test drag, lift, downforce, and model profiles. This unique resource will deepen understanding of physics and engineering principles.
Native Plants and Gardening Phase 2
Cinnabar Elementary School – $9,077
Cinnabar Elementary will expand its native plant and gardening program, incorporating shrubs, grasses, microscopes, and outdoor tables. Students will engage in hands-on activities to learn about ecosystems, habitat restoration, and sustainable agriculture.
Learning Through Play: Cultivating the Role of Play in Transitional Kindergarten
Old Adobe Union School District – $15,000
This initiative will provide play-based learning materials for transitional kindergarten classrooms. The program will transform traditional instruction into an interactive and imaginative experience, promoting development through play.
Building Blocks & Bridges: Phonics Readers and Culturally Relevant Literature
McDowell Elementary – $18,543.33
McDowell Elementary will enrich literacy instruction with decodable readers and culturally relevant books. These resources will support students learning to read and strengthen their comprehension skills.
Literacy and English Language Development
Valley Vista Elementary – $13,347
Focused on multilingual learners, this grant will fund a curriculum to build foundational English skills. Classroom libraries will foster a love of reading while addressing diverse student needs.
Literacy and English Language Development
McKinley Elementary -19,786.30
McKinley students will use decodable books and ELPAC Practice books aligned with phonics scope and sequence to address the needs of multilingual learners.
Literacy for Our Panthers!
Penngrove Elementary Charter – $20,000
Penngrove will implement an intervention-focused literacy program, incorporating the Bridge to Reading curriculum and Heggerty Library series. This initiative aims to improve fluency and comprehension through targeted small-group instruction.
Literacy Instruction Supplementation
Grant Elementary School – $20,000
With these funds, Grant Elementary will expand its decodable reader library and create targeted lessons to support literacy growth. This program will address critical needs in reading fluency and comprehension.
Enriching Learning by Bringing Contemporary Literature to All Students
Corona Creek & Meadow Elementary Schools – $8,671.11 and $9,295.65
This dual grant will update literature resources, providing students access to diverse, modern texts. The program will enhance reading intervention efforts and integrate seamlessly with the state-adopted English Language Arts curriculum.
Join Us in Funding the Future
This record-breaking year reflects the growing momentum and trust within our community. Since its inception, PEF has awarded nearly $5 million in grants, impacting thousands of students across public, private, and charter schools.
But the work never truly stops…We’re thrilled to share that we’re over halfway to meeting our annual goal of raising $300,000 through Fund the Future. Now, we need your help to close the gap!
You can make an impact today by donating to PEF or volunteering with us. Every dollar and minute of your time makes a difference. No donation is too small—each cent contributes to creating impactful educational opportunities for Petaluma’s students. By donating, you become part of PEF’s lasting legacy, helping fund innovative programs, inspire educators, and empower the next generation of leaders.
Together, we can achieve this milestone and continue to make a profound difference in our community. Donate today and be part of PEF’s legacy!
From all of us at PEF, thank you for being part of this journey.