A Summer Welcome from PEF!
PEF Welcomes You to Our New Home in Downtown Petaluma!
Friends of PEF,
First things first: PEF has a new home! The timing proved to be everything. Soon after our message about needing to move, alumni board member and past president Bridget Mackay got word that her tenants at 100 Fourth Street planned to move out, and she asked if we would be interested in renting the building. Thank you, Bridget!
We made our move on May 1st. Our phone numbers will remain the same.
Do you have education news or community events to share? Reply to this email and let us know. We’d love to rally the support of our community around your initiatives.
Happy Summer,
Your friends at PEF – Maureen, Katy, Sharon & Stacey
Visit Our New Home!
We are now located at 100 Fourth Street, in the heart of downtown Petaluma. Come visit us and say hello! We are planning a Summer Open House.
Celebrating $4.8 Million in Scholarships Awarded
It’s been a whirlwind here at PEF.
$4,848,989 in scholarships have been awarded by PEF since 1990. On Wednesday, April 17th, thanks to the generosity of our donors, we awarded $263,934 in 409 individual scholarships to 289 seniors graduating from Petaluma area high schools.
This program is open to all members of the Class of 2024 attending any of the seven Petaluma area high schools who are looking to pursue further education at two-year colleges, four-year colleges, or vocational training programs.
CLICK HERE to read more on our blog and view photos of this special evening.
Fund the Future: Thank You to Our Donors!
Thank you to all our donors and partners for pledging their financial support to the PEF Impact Grant Program this past academic year. PEF is proud to award grants that support curriculum-based programs in:
- Literacy/Language Arts
- Performing Arts
- Health & Nutrition
- S.T.E.A.M.
- Robotics
- Manufacturing/Auto Shop
- Campus Wellness Centers
- Digital Media and Podcast Studios
- Music, and more!
We will kick off our pledge drive at the PEF BASH in September, but you do not need to wait until then to make your donation. Contact PEF and make your gift to Fund the Future today.
Principal Pop-Up Mixer and Grant Application Changes
In March, we hosted a Principal Pop-Up Mixer at La Dolce Vita Wine Lounge for our local principals and administrators. The event provided the opportunity to socialize and hear about the PEF Impact Grant changes for the upcoming academic year. We also raffled off a few items, including a pair of BASH event tickets!
The PEF Impact Grant application portal is now open. We’ve listened to your feedback and are thrilled to share enhanced changes to better support our local educators:
- NEW Online Impact Grant Application CLICK HERE
- Award amount increased from $15,000 to $20,000
- Up to 10% of your grant request can include Time & Training expenses
- Short instructional video on how to apply for a grant
Applications are due October 2, 2024. Educators should consider now what empowering curriculum-based programs they want to introduce to their schools. Please contact PEF Program Director Katy Verke with any questions.
PEF BASH: Mission Possible
Join us as we continue our mission of raising funds for all local schools on September 7th at the PEF BASH: Mission Possible at The Barn at Gambonini Ranch!
Happening Now:
The Taste of the Town Restaurant Raffle, sponsored by Golden State Lumber, is in full swing. Tickets are available for $20 each by contacting the PEF office. Three lucky winners will be announced at the BASH (you do not need to be present to win).
In August, we kick off our BASH Online Auction (8/16–8/29). You can bid on getaways, services, wine tastings, and more—the best part is you can bid from anywhere in support of PEF and our local students and schools.
This all leads up to the party of the year—the 2024 PEF BASH: Mission Possible! Tickets go on sale in early July. Last year we sold out quickly, so don’t wait—get your tickets to ensure you have a seat!
If you have a vacation home or access to unique and exciting experiences you want to share with us for our BASH Online Silent and Live Auctions, please contact Stacey at stacey@pefinfo.com.
Volunteer Opportunities at Alphabet Soup
In honor of Alphabet Soup turning 30 this past March, join us on the 30th of each month for 30% off! YES, every month for the rest of the calendar year!
In addition to this program, we now offer special deals for local students and teachers. Be sure to ask about these discounts when shopping with us.
We need more volunteers, especially in our Clothing Store. We offer flexible schedules based on your availability, a volunteer discount, and the fun of working together to support our students and schools.
Please contact our store manager, Colleen Reitzel, to learn more about our volunteer opportunities.
Become a PEF Annual Partner!
Support local education and join PEF as an Annual Partner today! Your support helps fund vital programs in our schools.
For more information, or if you have news or events to share with the PEF community, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!
