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About San Leandro Education Foundation
The San Leandro Education Foundation (SLED) is a non-profit community foundation established to support the role of public education in developing our community’s young people into well-grounded future citizens. Our co-founders realized that not all schools within our own district were able to fund important learning opportunities like Outdoor Education and field trips, so they established an education foundation to raise funds and provide programs for ALL students within SLUSD.
Since our founding in 2008, we have been bringing the community together to accomplish these ideals. SLED has grown from a small all-volunteer organization with limited funding to a full volunteer board with Executive Director as staff, and has funded over $1.5 million of enriching programs and activities, benefiting thousands of students every year.
Our Mission &
Strategic Objectives
SLED works with the San Leandro community to provide students with robust and innovative educational experiences, ensuring equitable access across grade levels and school sites. We promote student success by supporting positive youth development activities that inspire students to pursue their educational and life goals. The San Leandro Education Foundation’s role is to serve as a bridge between our youth and those in the community committed to investing in the future of San Leandro.
We Believe That :
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Strong public schools are essential to our quality of life and the future well-being of our city
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The exceptional diversity of the San Leandro community is a strength
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Vibrant communities require high-quality public schools
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The education of our children is the responsibility of the entire community
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That academic enrichment enhances the educational experience
Our Programs
Teacher Mini-Grants
We think that teachers have the best idea of what their students and their classrooms need, so we put the power in their hands with SLED Mini-Grants. Our amazing educators can use a Mini-Grant for supplies to make a project come to life, or purchase classroom materials to inspire current and future students, or even to use for school-wide events.
Field Trips
There is something about getting OUTSIDE of the classroom that really helps the lessons make an impact. SLED Field Trip grants allow teachers and administrators to plan and execute trips that introduce students to new concepts, help reinforce classroom lessons, and inspire them with the fantastic resources the Bay Area has to offer like nature preserves, museums, performances, university visits, and more.
Work-Based Learning Internships
Preparing students for their future after their K-12 school days are over is a significant task. SLED supports our district's Work-Based Learning initiatives by offering to cover stipends for students participating in summer internships. Many students depend upon paid summer work, so the stipend allows more students access to important career-building work experience.
Removing Barriers
Graduate Parade
College Info Series & Pioneer Pathways
Our district really does all they can for students, but there are always some funding restrictions. SLED's Removing Barriers program helps provide basic needs like clothing, school supplies, and toiletries, plus occasional food and housing assistance, to the students most in need including our foster youth and unhoused youth.
Also known as 'THE BEST DAY OF THE YEAR' to many, the Graduate Parade is a joyful culmination of students' high school careers, giving them the opportunity to re-visit their former elementary schools as they near their high school graduation. It's a celebration for the high schoolers and an inspiration for the elementary school crowd, and an important tradition.
We know that college isn't the path for every student, but SLED believes it should be an OPTION for even more students! Our free college workshops in partnership with the San Leandro Public Library and our fun 'summer camp' program, Pioneer Pathways, with our friends at Cal State East Bay offer students key information and a glimpse into their potential college futures.
Our Impact
All SLED programs are designed to provide learning opportunities to as many students as possible to maximize impact. We positively affect nearly all of the over 8,000 students in our district each year.
Meet Our Team
Our staff and all-volunteer board is comprised of dedicated individuals who live or work in San Leandro and its neighboring areas. Bringing a host of real-world professional experience from a variety of industries, lots of community connections, and personal experience via family members and friends in the local school district, our board and staff are especially engaged in building a stronger community by supporting education and providing opportunities for youth.
Volunteer Opportunities
SLED is always looking for local individuals who are dedicated to improving local education and who may wish to join our board. It is a rewarding opportunity that allows you direct access to influencing SLED programming decisions and helping to implement them. Our board positions are volunteer only. Members are expected to attend monthly board meetings and serve on one committee. More details about board member expectations and SLED obligations are below.
To be considered for a board position or an ad-hoc event or program committee position, or if you have questions about our board, please email us at info@sledfund.org.
Annual Report
SLED's Annual Report gives a snapshot of the work we have done in the last fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). See how your donations are at work and the impact it has on San Leandro students!