SONOMA VALLEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Innovate. Advance. Enhance.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The purpose of the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation (SVEF) is to help each and every student find success and inspiration in school, so they graduate well prepared for both college and career. We support our schools by funding excellent academic and enrichment programs aimed at raising student achievement and creating a generation of students who love to learn.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Preschool for All
Provides a high-quality academic and social foundation for students in Sonoma Valley. Develops important pre-literacy, math, communication and socialization skills.
Summer Literacy Academy
Engages elementary aged students in grades K-3 in a dynamic, daily, five-week summer reading program focused on improving their reading skills.
Engineering, Design and Technology Academy & Sustainable Agriculture Academy
Engineering: Provides engineering-based elective classes at Sonoma Valley High School. Students in the program engage in large-scale engineering projects that carry on during the year. The Academy combines strong academics and a demanding technical curriculum that connects theoretical knowledge with real-world applications.
Sustainable Agriculture: Provides students the opportunity to develop critical thinking, problem solving and industry specific technical skills while exploring careers and engaging in projects focused on agriculture.
Valley Vibes Orchestra
Based on the international El Sistema music program, the program provides intense classical musical instruction to primarily elementary aged students two hours per day, 5 days per week. Develops important cognitive and social-emotional skills through participation in a youth orchestra. Focuses on socio-economically disadvantaged students who might never have the opportunity to receive music instruction.
Classroom Grant Program
Provides funding to educators for small projects that engage students, expand instruction, or enhance curriculum.
Middle School Writing Centers
Students receive writing support in class and in designated middle school writing centers at Adele Harrison and Altimira Middle Schools. Students learn writing strategies and receive help in planning, drafting, revising and editing their compositions. Includes support for class assignments, student published writing projects, and lunchtime and after school activities.
Freshman Teams
Sonoma Valley High Schools divides the freshman class of approximately 350 students into three "teams" or smaller learning communities designed to help 9th-grade students transition smoothly to the high school environment. Students in teams attend the same four core classes together: Math, English, P.E., and History. The teams provide a collaboration period for team teachers allowing teachers to organize intervention and support for struggling students, arrange field trips, and team activities for engagement, celebration, and recognition of student work.
Where we work
External reviews
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The Sonoma Valley Education Foundation goals are as follows:
Goal 1- To support programs which meet the goals of the Sonoma Valley Unified School District's (SVUSD) strategic plan:
1) Students will enter kindergarten with at least one year of high quality preschool 2) Students will read at grade level by the end of third grade 3) Students will be proficient in English and math but the beginning of 6th grade 4) Students will be ready for college prep classes by 9th grade 5) All students will graduate well prepared for college, career and life.
Goal 2- Educate the community members about the needs of the school district and continue to engage a new wave of supporters.
Goal 3- Enlist volunteers who support our schools, via events or work with the students in the classroom.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The Sonoma Valley Education Foundation engages in the following strategies to ensure the goals are met:
Goal 1- To support programs which meet the goals of the Sonoma Valley Unified School District's (SVUSD) strategic plan.
The SVEF Program & Grants Manager and the SVEF Program Committee work closely with representatives from the school district to follow a yearly timeline and clearly documented process to report outcomes and program evaluation results to the SVEF Board of Directors, donors, and the community.
Goal 2- Educate the community members about the needs of the school district and continue to engage a new wave of supporters.
The entire SVEF staff connects and educates the community on the needs of the schools and students on a daily basis through community outreach, sponsorship outreach, business partner and donor outreach, SVEF sponsored community events such as educational film nights, biweekly email newsletters, articles in the local newspaper, social media outlets, and much more.
Goal 3- Enlist volunteers who support our schools, via events or work with the students in the classroom.
SVEF recruits close to 500 volunteers to provide classroom and project support for Sonoma Valley High School teachers and students through the SVEF Program Teacher Support Network, and recruits an additional 200 volunteers for SVEF's annual fundraiser, The Red and White Ball.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The Sonoma Valley Education Foundation Executive Director, Program and Grants Manager, and the Red and White Ball Chair/Partnership Manager work closely to ensure the organization goals are met.
The following SVEF committees also meet monthly or quarterly: Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Development Committee, Marketing Committee, and Program Committee.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
After a several year review process, developed by the Program Committee Chair and the Program and Grants Manager, SVEF now has a solid documented program reporting process and a Program Description Document for each program SVEF funds. The document includes the history and background of the program, program components, goals, measurement, outcomes and evaluation.
SVEF continues to be successful in recruiting over 700 volunteers every year in support of our schools and students.
Financials
Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more
about GuideStar Pro.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
SONOMA VALLEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Board of directorsas of 09/01/2022
Tim Wallace
Tim Wallace
Executive in Residence, Sonoma State University, Former President Benziger Family Winery
Charles E. Young
Chancellor Emertius, Prof. of Political Science & Public Policy, UCLA
Tom Angstadt
The Kivelstadt Group: Kivelstadt Vineyard & Kivelstadt Cellars
Denia Candela
Puente Internacional
Joseph Capriola
Silverado Builders
Renee Dellar
Community Member, Attorney
Stacie Elkhoury
Jad Elkhoury, DDS, Snipz, Chasing Grace
Richard Henley
LGES Executive Search
Katherine Murphy
Retired Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance Mentor Center Facilitator
Graham Smith
Former CFO Salesforce
Laura Stanfield
Community Member and Volunteer
Les Vadasz
Retired Intel Executive
Jeffrey Walter
Attorney at Law, Walter & Pistole
Laura Zimmerman
Interim Sonoma Valley Education Foundation Executive Director
Mark Mance
Northview Hotel Group
Tony Moll
Retired NFL Player, Three Fat Guys Wine
Socorro Shiels
Sonoma Valley Unified School District
Kathy Witcowicki
Sonoma Speaker Series
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
Transgender Identity
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data