The current health and financial situations are wreaking havoc on school budgets in Walnut Creek and across California. The only way to preserve and enhance our local public schools is by donating to WCEF. We are stronger together.
WCEF was created by parents in 1983 when our community was faced with drastic budget cuts, the same situation we are in today due to consistent underfunding and COVID-19. Our mission is to raise funds to preserve and enhance the education of each student in the Walnut Creek School District and Las Lomas High School in the Acalanes Union High School District. Donations to WCEF ensure all students in the Walnut Creek School District and Las Lomas High School receive a quality education and graduate with confidence.
California ranks far below the national average when it comes to public school funding. This lack of funding has created a gap that affects all of our students. Unfortunately, school budgets in 2020-21 and 2021-22 will be significantly impacted by the current economic situation caused by COVID-19 creating an even wider gap for your student.
Here are a few ways this funding gap affects your child:
- Less teachers and/or lower pay
- No STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) programs offered in schools
- Limited electives for middle schools
- Fewer Advanced Placement electives at the high school level
- Reduced library hours and programs
- Elimination of school nurses and counselors from TK-12
- No technology provided by the district
Per student funding
Breakdown:
HoW YOUR Donation to WCEF helpS bridge the funding gap:
- Fund salaries for 20+ Art, Music, Science, and teachers in TK-8
- Help reduce teacher to student ratio
- Increase in-class instruction for TK-5
- Support middle school STEAM electives
- Tk-8 Math Coach to deepen teaching and student learning
- Keep library doors open
- Increase high school AP and elective offerings
- Provide an on-campus Wellness Center at Las Lomas to support social-emotional needs of students
DONATING IS EASY!
Decide how much youR
FAMILY CAN contribute
All gifts, regardless of size, help offset the deficit, stabilize the budget and maintain enhanced programs. We know budget vary;
please give what you can.
Our goal is always 100% participation.
Pay online with credit card or e-check
Use the buttons below to make a one-time payment or set up a monthly donation amount that works for your family. Our suggested ask is $600 per child, or $50/month, but every gift, from $10 to $10,000, matters. If you are able, please consider an additional $200 per student ($800 total/$67 month) to offset costs associated with COVID-19.
pay by check
Download and complete
THIS FORM
and mail it along with your check to:
WCEF
P.O. Box 186
Walnut Creek, CA 94597
HOW IT WORKS
Parents and community members donate to WCEF
WCEF grants the money to the Walnut Creek and Acalanes School Districts.
In 2020-21, WCEF has promised $1.3 million
The districts distribute the money to pay for salaries, programs, and technology at our schools
where does the money go?
GRADES TK-5
- Full year of Art, Music, and Science Lab
- Salaries for 20+ Instructional Specialists
- Math Coach to deepen instruction and learning
- Technology provided to all students
GRADES 6-8
- Support for STEAM electives (Robotics, Computer Sciences, Digital Arts, Music, World Languages & more)
- Full-time Credentialed Librarian and research databases
- Math Coach to deepen instruction and learning
- Technology provided to all students
GRADES 9-12
- 12 additional core academic classes - ensuring the 7-period day, smaller class sizes, more student choice
- More classes geared toward college readiness like Advanced Placement
- Support of the Wellness Center, serving the social-emotional needs of all students
- Technology for students without access
SECURE our public schools with a gift to the WCEF endowment
These are unprecedented times. To help secure the future of our schools, WCEF is launching the WCEF Endowment. We invite families and community members to donate. Your gift will become part of the WCEF Endowment and provide a lasting legacy in your name, supporting our schools for future generations and protecting the investment you have made in all Walnut Creek students.
The WCEF Endowment has the potential to provide a stable source of income, with each gift bringing us closer to our goal of preserving and enhancing public education. While still small, we hope to grow the Endowment each year through community contributions.
How Much Should You Donate?
All donations are valued, but we are asking $50 to $25,000, or more. All donations to WCEF are tax deductible. Donors will be thanked in our annual report and honored on our virtual donor wall. To donate, click here.
MORE WAYS to CONTRIBUTE
Double your donation
with employer matching
More than $5 billion dollars of potential
matching funds is left on the table every year.
Check if your company matches
Volunteer your time & talents!
Meet parents and community members
just like you! Those who want to create
engaged, inspired learners.
Interested? Let us know!
Our Community
These dedicated community members understand that a dynamic and successful school district helps attract families that sustain a healthy community.
Realtor Spotlight
Christina Linezo
Dudum Real Estate
Understanding the connection between top-rated schools and our thriving city, Christina donates to WCEF. We appreciate her contributions and her awareness of what healthy schools can do for our community!
Business Spotlight
Dave Wright
EXTREME PIZZA
Extreme Pizza has been supporting WCEF since the mid 2000's and has donated over $20,000 through the years. We are unbelievably grateful for his commitment to our community and schools.
Community Spotlight
LISA SUN
Community Donor
Lisa is one of those people we are absolutely thrilled to have on our donor list and involved. She's an avid supporter with her time and resources— even after her son graduated. A former WCEF president, we thank you, Lisa!
WHO WE ARE
WCEF, led by a passionate volunteer board comprised of parents and community members, raises funds to cover the cost of essential STEAM programs, salaries & technology necessary to engage and inspire our kids.
Find out more about the Walnut Creek Education foundation team:
WHY WE DONATE
Ben Winig &
Mala Subramanian
Walnut Heights parent
"WCEF supports programs that shouldn’t be considered 'maybes' or even 'nice-to-haves.' Rather, they are critical to ensuring our kids are well-rounded, academically prepared, and emotionally ready for their journey from kindergarten through high school."
Sarah Talach
TICE CREEK PARENT
“When my son was in Kindergarten, I didn't quite understand the significant role donations to WCEF play in my child's education. As I learned more, I realized that without WCEF's support students would not have the opportunity to work with amazing specialists who enhance learning while making it fun!”
T. Otten
Murwood Parent
"I initially was taken aback by donations of any kind for public schools but when I learned how it directly benefited my child, I couldn’t say no. It was that important to me. If you can’t make the full donation, donate what you can."
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When your child enters kindergarten the last thing
you want to think about is high school graduation.
So we think about it for you.
WCEF IS WITH YOUR CHILD FROM TK - 12
