The grant requests we receive for this program are some of the most heartfelt and inspiring requests we receive. Here are some examples of requests we funded:

Refurbished iPad – Cleveland Elementary School, Oakland: Ms. Aiste Solly was awarded funding to purchase a refurbished iPad to use with her 25 special education students.

iPad technology has been documented extensively to accommodate learning differences and can be used as a tool of assistive technology. It can allow students to overcome communication difficulties, mobility challenges, fine motor impairments, and vision and hearing challenges.

Gross Motor Materials – Dan Mini Elementary School, Vallejo: Ms. Joan DeWolf requested funding to replace supplies to help students develop language, social and motor skills.

I am requesting funding so I may purchase materials to meet the needs of my students and classroom. We are still experiencing budget cuts and it affects how I can serve my students. We would like to purchase materials to replace what we’ve been using in all areas of teaching, some of which are over 30 years old.

High Interest/Low Reader Books – Emerson Elementary School, Oakland: Ms. Marian Woodside requested funding to purchase new books to use with her K-2nd grade students on the autism spectrum.

As a special education teacher we get very little curriculum provided for us and have to search out and make a great deal of learning materials ourselves for students. I am writing this grant to seek and provide reading materials for my students that is age appropriate, reading level appropriate, and of high interest.

Rug and Bean Bag Chair – Fairmont Elementary School, El Cerrito: Ms. Jennifer Kelso was awarded funding to purchase a rug and bean bag chair for her 6 wheelchair-bound students.

Students are often in their wheelchairs the whole day without a place to get out to stretch their bodies and change positions. We would like to purchase a rug and bean bag chair to allow students to lay on their stomach or back in a comfortable position to read books or listen to fairy tales.

Play Materials – Hillview Crest Elementary School, Hayward: Ms. Julie Francisco is working with 1st and 2nd grade students with Autistism and ADHD to develop their social skills. She was awarded funding to purchase games, toys and books for students to use during group play time.

It can be difficult for my students to make and keep friends. We hold daily lunchtime social groups and hold weekly social lessons in class. We don’t want them to feel as though this is a sort of punishment, but instead want them to look forward to the group and enjoy the activities.

Produce Boxes – Ochoa Middle School, Hayward: Ms. Danielle Fleming teaches a functional, life-skills cooking class and was awarded funding to purchase fresh produce for her students to cook with.

I will be able to teach my students to make healthier choices and how to prepare their own food in order to be ready for independent living when they get older.

While funding for this program is now exhausted, there is still funding available in several of our other Teacher Resource Grant Programs. If you’d like to keep up-to-date on our open grants, please subscribe to our mailing list.

Muralist – El Granada Elementary, Half Moon Bay: Ms. Catherine Holland, a 4th grade teacher, was awarded a Visiting Artist grant for a muralist to help students create a culturally relevant mural for the school.

Murals are a universal expression of art that represent communities and the people who live in them. We strive to maintain a deep commitment to collaborating with the community we serve to instill a sense of school pride as well as cultural and social pride.

Illustrator – Bella Vista Elementary, Oakland: Ms. Carrie Johnson and her students will have an illustrator come into their classroom to help them with their illustration skills for their individual books.

My class is studying a variety of children’s book illustrators, and will be attempting to hone our own illustration skills. Students will be able to share their finished books with family members and the larger school community, as well as online to become a part of our classroom library.

Woodworker – Maxwell Park Elementary, Oakland: Students in Mr. Daniel Silberstein’s class will be working with a woodworker to create altars to their family histories.

The students will paint and decorate the boxes with family images and mementos. They will then write a paper about their family history and cultural connections to life and death. The boxes will then be displayed for the school and community to see.

Muralist – Bret Harte Elementary Schoool, Oakland: Ms. Amy Colt
received a grant for a 5 week mural art project for 6th-8th grade students who are new to the United States.

It’s common for my students to feel disconnected from the school community because they are just learning the language and customs of our society. We will create a mural for the school, which will increase their sense of connectedness and involvement in the community.

Modern Artist – Farallone View Elementary School, Montara: Ms. Amy Rhode’s 5th grade students will be creating two “pop art” projects under the instruction of a modern artist.

Art lessons have been essential in bringing together our ethnically diverse school community and stimulate our children’s interest in art. We are confident that the students will leave the lessons with a love of modern art and open minds to explore other avenues of learning.

Poet – Hoover Commuinty School, Redwood City: 4th grade students in Ms. Holly Watts’ class will be working with a poet to help them explore poetry composition and public performance.

He will introduce students to multiple literary tools; lead students through various creative writing activities examining personal and cultural identity, individual hopes and goals, interpersonal conflict and healing, and issues of social inequity and social justice.

Storyteller – Woodrow Wilson Elementary School, Daly City: A storyteller will be visiting Ms. Alisa Grassi’s 2nd grade class for 4 weeks to help her students develop in the area of public speaking.

This would be perfect for my students’ needs. My class thoroughly enjoys taking part in plays and are all eager to play the parts, even the most reluctant and less skilled performers.

This program is made possible with funding from the Geballe Family. Learn more about how to apply here.

Pier 39 – Acorn Woodland Elementary, Oakland: Ms. Lissette Averhoff took her students to Pier 39:

“As more funding gets cut, students in under-served communities get hit the hardest; we work hard to level the playing field for our kids by giving them access to an excellent education and to enriching experiences. Thank you for providing such an amazing opportunity to my class.”

Creative Writing Workshops – Far West High School, Oakland: 40 high school students in need of academic and art enrichment took part in the creative writing workshops.

“The students’ work reflected their struggles with homelessness, abusive relationships, peer pressure,  violence, poverty, lack of love, and serious medical issues. There were many lively discussions about choices and what the future may hold for these students.”

Mosiac Project Outdoor School – Learning Without Limits, Oakland: Ms. Morgan Alconcher, a fifth grade teacher, received a grant for her students to attend the Mosaic Project Outdoor School, which, as she explained in her grant request, is about more than learning about the outdoors:

“In our community in east Oakland, our families and students come from a wealth of culture and  diversity. Unfortunately, they also face the daily task of navigating violence and distractions that permeate many of their lives. The opportunity to be at Mosaic allows them time to be reflective, and really make decisions about the people they want to be. The Project gives them the language, a way of thinking, and space to practice spreading peace rather than poison.”

Math Games and Slider Boards – Santa Teresa Elementary School, San Jose: Ms. Andrea Neff was awarded a grant for games and slider boards for her 2nd grade classroom.

“My students love using these, it gives such a great visual for them. They  have been so much fun for the kids to engage and learn so of these difficult tasks. We very much appreciate your donation. You are helping teach my fabulous class of kids.”

Nature Journals – Orion School, Redwood City: Ms. Ellen Spector was awarded a grant to purchase journals for her students to draw pictures and write descriptions of things they saw in nature.

“The journals sent a message to the kids that this important work that they  were doing. The drawings in their journals were a springboard for conversation with their parents about what they were learning in nature studies class.”

Math Puzzles and CDs – Franklin Elementary School, Burlingame: Ms. Christina Bengle was awarded a grant to purchase math materials to make her lessons more engaging and accessible for her 2nd grade students.

“These materials make math come alive for my students. They have proven to be engaging and challenging. Thank you for your generosity and investment in my students’ future.”

Rental Deposit, San Mateo: A Child Protective Worker requested a grant to go towards the rental deposit for a family of three to move to a safer neighborhood – as the young daughter was starting to hang out with the bad crowd in their current neighborhood.

The family is very grateful for your help with their deposit. I am happy to say that the family has settled down in their new city and definitely in a safer environment for their daughter. Your contribution has helped this family receive a new start in their daughter’s life.

Remote Control Car: An 11-year-old foster youth who can’t participate in physical sports due a recent back surgery, was awarded money to purchase a remote control car so he can participate in races, interact and engage with youth his age, and learn responsibility.

Aside from having a lot of fun at the track he is truly learning about sportsmanship and achieving desired results through determination and perseverance.

School and Work Clothing: PVF awarded money for a youth to purchase some essential school and work clothing. He wrote a thank you letter to us:

Thank you. In this stage in my young life it will be a great help. I’m trying hard and am interested in helping the world and people just like you guys.

Clothing for Physical Rehabilitation: A CASA was awarded funds to purchase comfortable clothing for her youth to wear during her physical rehabilitation from having her right foot amputated.

She is doing great physically and is in good spirits. She is quickly adjusting mentally and physically to being an amputee. The grant was a big help toward making this important adjustment.

World Conference: A youth with a wide-array of behavioral problems was awarded a grant to attend a conference through her church. Her CASA wrote to us shortly after she attended:

Prior to the conference, she frequently AWOLed, fought with her mother, and had trouble controlling her anger. Through the seminars and support of the other students, she underwent a dramatic transformation during the conference and has not AWOLed since, and has been sober since, and has worked on controlling her anger.

Ballet Lessons: A 4-year-old girl’s caregivers wanted to give her a chance to participate in ballet, to create a sense of normalcy in her life.

These classes bring a lot of joy to this child as well as building her self esteem and confidence. This will instill a foundation for this child to feel comfortable reaching out toward other personal goals in the future. She feels an abundance of pride for her accomplishments in dance.

Notes from a Social Worker: Offering money for Social Workers to help with the essential needs of their clients goes beyond just improving the life of the clients – we receive many thank yous from social workers as well.

It really helps me in my work when I am able to tell clients that I was able to find a resource to help them with their request for help. Thank you for providing that little miracle for our families.

School Clothing: A 16-year-old recently placed with her grandmother, who is living off of a fixed income, was awarded money to purchase essential school clothing.

I cannot tell you how much it means to her to have new clothes – it is a luxury for her.

For eleven years PVF has sponsored the Parent Involvement Workers in East Palo Alto wherein we hire immigrant women who have graduated from ESL class to work in public schools in East Palo Alto.  Their job is to get parents – especially non-English speaking parents – involved in the education of their children.  These women have become an integral part of Cesar Chavez Middle School, and the teachers and principal love them.

On their own the three workers designed a Nutrition Program for parents, where a nutritionist from the local family health center comes to conduct a class on better health through nutrition.  Many of the family members of students suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol.  On November 7th I visited the nutrition class on Eating Well.

The Parent Involvement Workers called 60 parents and 15 showed up for a two hour class, mostly mothers with infants in arms and an eagerness to learn.  They learned about salt, fat and sugar in food.  They prepared fresh vegetables, and they cooked a healthy meal of lentil soup.

15 parents attending is considered a good turnout, but it only happened because of a personal phone call from one of our workers, who have built relationships with the parents.  PVF gave a grant of $400 which covers the costs of six nutrition classes.  This is exceptional in terms of what a small amount of money can do.

One PVF donor now gives a monthly $250 to the Principal of this school, to cover such costs and to allow for special projects.  At PVF we are proud that we can find such critical intervention points where philanthropic money has a positive impact.

“Write to Live” – Leadership Prep High, Oakland: Ms. Marsha Rhynes was awarded a grant for the “Write to Live” afterschool program, where high school students write a “living biography” tribute to elders, mentors and others who have influenced their lives.

The anthology will be a year-long after school project that promotes literacy, student leadership and includes poetry and essays. The writing will pay tribute to those who have encouraged youth to continue their education, made a positive difference in their lives, and inspired them to overcome challenges.

Oaktown Teen Times – Media Academy, Oakland: High school students at Media Academy received a grant to work with Oaktown Teen Times thanks to a grant request by Ms. Lisa Shafer.

With the grant, Oaktown Teen Times would host a weekly afterschool workshop for students. It would provide a professional journalist to mentor students on their stories and work with them to learn the layout and photography skills needed to publish the professional-quality paper.

Debate Club – Summit Prepatory School, Oakland: Ms. Shilpa Duvoor was awarded a grant for the Debate Club for freshman students.

Debate enhances and extends public speaking skills. Because many debate topics center on world events, debate seamlessly bridges language arts and world history.

Martial Arts and Meditation Class – Urban Promise Academy, Oakland: A grant was awarded to start a Martial Arts and Meditation Class for 6th and 7th graders.

Students will be provided with professional instruction in the following topics: active listening, impulse control and regulation, emotional intelligence, empathy and compassion and various physical and mental conditioning techniques.

Bicycle Club – Skyline High School, Oakland: Skyline High School already has an informal bicycle club, with students taking informal roles, but with a grant from PVF they will be able to buy equipment.

This club will be dedicated to bicycle maintenance and safety, and creativity. Students are interested in maintaining older bikes and building new bikes.

Math Games Program – Sandpiper Elementary, Redwood City: Ms. Margaret Wilson received an After School Program Grant to start an Afterschool Math Games Program for 3rd and 4th graders.

Students struggling with memorization of facts or with mathematical reasoning would be encouraged to attend and get practice in a fun, low-stress academic environment.

To learn more about the After School Program Grant, please visit our website.

Where does PVF want to go in philanthropy over the next five years?

• Stimulate people to be creative in their work and to do original thinking.
• Create a climate for taking risks with a willingness to suffer failure occasionally
• Get people to hold themselves accountable for creating a better community
• Constantly search for outstanding people
• Develop and support leadership; encourage people to have passion
• Be nimble and able to respond quickly

Philanthropic foundation work is in the position to see what people are doing in the community, what their needs are, and how they measure impact in evaluating their work. As a consequence, we see a picture of the community that most people do not see. With this in mind, we feel a responsibility to share as much information as possible with others.

At PVF, we are spending more and more time bringing people together, people who have common interests but are not aware of each other’s work. We are also conducting more field trips for donors and colleagues to see firsthand what is going on in a particular area of concern or just to observe a quality program at work.

In philanthropy there is no ax to grind; we are not political, and we are not in competition with anyone. This is a unique position to be in and we feel it puts a responsibility on us to share as much as possible by introducing individuals to each other, by showcasing programs we work with, or come across, by trying out new ways to manifest philanthropy that better serves the public.

We take this moment to thank our donors and advocates for giving us the wherewithal to do what we do, and to help make this world a better place.

Doctors in the Classroom is a unique program created by PVF at the suggestion of a donor. The program’s goals are to: 

• To provide students with the opportunity to explore medicine
• To expose students to doctors and how to become a doctor
• To inspire students to learn about and adopt healthy behaviors

Ms. Darrow wanted her presentation to focus on work ethic and dedication – and Dr. Trinkner touched on all these topics and more! The students were engaged and asked questions about everything from how kidneys work, to what type of schooling you must have to become a doctor.

Dr. Trinkner easily filled the hour and a half time slot allotted to him sharing stories and answering the many questions posed by the students. Dr. Trinkner ended his presentation explaining how a blood pressure cuff – and even allowed a few students to check his blood pressure!

Doctors in the Classroom is open to all San Mateo County public school teachers grades 4-12. We would love to hear from any teachers or doctors interested in taking part in the program! To find more information please visit our web page for Doctors in the Classroom, or email us at doctorsprogram@venturesfoundation.org.

Aquarium of the Bay – Millsmont Academy, Oakland: Ms. Jennifer Albinson was awarded an Excursion Grant to take 92 K-1st grade students to the Aquarium of the Bay. In her request, Ms. Albinson wrote:

At the Aquarium of the Bay students will get to see – and more importantly touch – parts of the natural world that they never get to experience in East Oakland. This amazing institution is only 15 miles away from our school, but none of our students have been there before.

The Elves and the Shoemaker – Henry Ford Elementary School, Redwood City: 90 kindergarten students from Henry Ford Elementary School will be traveling to Santa Clara University to see the holiday production of “The Elves and the Shoemaker”. In the request, Ms. Barasch points out:

For many of our students, this will be their first exposure to a live theater production, as well as their first trip on a school bus!

Lawrence Hall of Science – Futures Elementary School: Ms. Galina Yakovenko, a 2nd grade teacher, was awarded an Excursion Grant to take her students to the Lawrence Hall of Science. Here, the three classes of second graders will:

Become geologists as they explore the Earth’s layers with clay models. Using rock samples, they investigate Earth’s crust by performing tests on igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.

Vida Verde – Willow Oaks School, Menlo Park: 5th grade students in Ms. Mikeala McKenna and Ms. Lisa Pietsch’s class will be attending Vida Verde, an environmental learning program.

Vida Verde offers inner-city students opportunities that can ignite imagination, link classroom lessons to reality and boost confidence. Children will walk in the redwoods, explore the beach, gaze at the stars, and sing songs around a campfire.

Marine Science Institute – Orion School, Redwood City: Ms. Veronica Georges’ third grade students will be visiting the Marine Science Institute to take part in the “Shoreside” program.

This program is an exciting opportunity for my students to experience, hands-on, how marine biologists study in the field, to gain an understanding and respect for this local estuary, and to examine our human responsibility to the natural world around us.

Mosiac Project Outdoor School – Learning Without Limits, Oakland: Ms. Morgan Alconcher, a fifth grade teacher, received a grant for her students to attend the Mosiac Project Outdoor School, which, as she explained in her grant request, is about more than learning about the outdoors:

In our community in east Oakland, our families and students come from a wealth of culture and diversity. Unfortunately, they also face the daily task of navigating violence and distractions that permeate many of their lives. The opportunity to be at Mosaic allows them time to be reflective, and really make decisions about the people they want to be. The Project gives them the language, a way of thinking, and space to practice spreading peace rather than poison.

Discovery Voyage – La Honda Elementary, La Honda: Fifth grade students in Mr. Mitchell Slater’s class will be attending the Discovery Voyage through the Marine Science Institute because of an Excursion Grant.

This trip is a unique opportunity for students to spend time on an actual research vessel in the San Francisco Bay, doing hands-on science experiments and observing wildlife. Students collect and examine plankton, run hydrology tests, and observe wetland ecology from the ship.

California Railroad Museum – Lincoln Elementary, Oakland: Ms. Allison McGuirk has been awarded a grant to take her students on an Amtrak ride to visit the California Railroad Museum in Sacramento.

The scenic ride and field trip will broaden and enhance the students’ understanding; for many of them, this excursion will be their first experience visiting cities other than their hometown of Oakland. The knowledge and experience that the students will gain from this excursion will be far more than any textbook can offer.

Point Reyes National Park – Bridges Academy, Oakland: 75 4th grade students from Bridges Academy were awarded an Excursion Grant to visit Point Reyes National Park. Ms. Pat Kaplan wrote:

The trip will begin with a ranger-led visit to and participation in hands-on activities at the recreated Native American Miwok village, Kule Loklo. Students will follow a teacher-led tour of the Nature Center, the Earthquake Walk, and the nature trail between Heart’s Desire Beach and Indian Beach. This nature trail is particularly outstanding for its markers describing Native American native plants.

Chabot Space and Science Center – Brisbane Elementary, Brisbane: Ms. Janine Lee, a 5th grade teacher, was awarded an Excursion Grant to take 30 students to the Chabot Space & Science Center’s Challenger Learning Center: Voyage to Mars.

This is an exciting adventure to jump start our 5th grade Rocketry program, serving as the “hook” that engages the students. Students will use various skills to serve as crew members on a simulated space mission – attempting to travel to, land on, and explore the Red Planet. They will solve real-life problems using math, scientific analysis, and technology to successfully complete their mission.

Ardenwood Farm – Brookfield Village Elementary, Oakland: 44 students from Brookfield Village Elementary in Oakland, CA will be going to the Ardenwood Farm thanks to a Geballe Excursion Grant awarded to Ms. Tammie Adams.

On this trip, students will be able to explore an actual working farm. Students will learn the chores that are needed to maintain a farm as well as learn about animals that live on a farm including taking care of them as well as feeding them.

Hidden Villa – Fair Oaks Community School, Redwood City: Mr. Bob Fletcher, from Fair Oaks Community School, was awarded a Geballe Excursion Grant to take 95 third grade students to Hidden Villa, which is an environmental education program that allows students to experience a garden, farm/animals, and a wilderness exploration/hike.

Our school is comprised primarily of English Language Learners of low socio-economic levels, and many of our students have never been outside of their urban environment. This trip provides an invaluable opportunity to provide real hands-on, kinesthetic and practical experiences, directly connected to grade-level standards, that foster deep and lasting learning.