Frequently Asked Questions

The San Carlos Education Foundation (SCEF) is a non-profit fundraising organization that helps the San Carlos School District provide a well-rounded public education for all students. We work in partnership with parents and the community to support innovative and core programs that are vital to an exceptional education. The SCEF board is composed of parent volunteers representing all schools in the San Carlos School District, including San Carlos Charter.

Public school funding in California is not adequate to meet the needs of students. In 1982, parents in our community created the San Carlos Education Foundation. The Foundation works to raise donations from parents, businesses, and community members to ensure that San Carlos public school can provide a well-rounded education for all students. Funding from donations and local parcel taxes supplements state funding and allows the school district to offer a number of programs and hire teachers that would not be possible with state funding alone.

Currently, the funding of San Carlos schools is “flip-flopping” between Local Control Funding (LCFF) formula districts wherein the state makes up the difference between local property taxes and the mandated per pupil state funding for schools (the “Revenue Limit”) and Basic Aid/Community Funded districts where in local property taxes meet or exceed the Revenue Limit. In Basic Aid/Community Funded school districts, school districts can retain the property taxes in excess of the Revenue Limit. There is no per pupil funding in Basic Aid/Community funded districts, so funding does not change based on enrollment. In LCFF districts, funding is based on enrollment. View this video to learn more See comparisons with surrounding school districts here. Source: Ed Data 2024–2025

Your donation to the SCEF allows the school district to hire additional educators, staff, and programs important for a well-rounded education. Past grants have provided supplemental funds for librarians, counselors, technology associates, science supplies & materials, music and elective teachers, in-class technology, elementary music and physical education programs, professional development and more. Your donation to the San Carlos Education Foundation also funds your school’s PTA (Parent-Teacher Association). The core mission of the PTA is community-building, child advocacy, parent education, and classroom and teacher support. Funds allocated to your PTA by SCEF are managed by your PTA volunteers and address site-specific needs such as family events, classroom supplies, teacher appreciation, assemblies and culturally enriching programs. We encourage parents to donate to the San Carlos Education Foundation and to join and volunteer for their school PTA. Both organizations are important for your student’s education. Visit Ways To Give

The San Carlos School District provides supplies, materials and tools needed in the classroom. Your donations to the San Carlos Education Foundation supplements district funds with an allocation to your school PTA. What's more, school PTAs provide a grant to every classroom teacher to provide for classroom needs.

Each year, SCEF works to raise funds to support the following school year’s budget. The vast majority of funds are allocated directly into the district budget for critical staff and resources, including teachers and resources that support every student in every classroom. SCEF also provides a restricted Fund-the-Future grant each year to an identified need (in the past this has supported technology, science materials and library support). Your donations to SCEF also provide a principal fund for specific school site needs, they also provide each PTA with an allocation to fund classroom supplies and materials, community building activities, assemblies, library books, art programs, teacher appreciation and more.

The majority of donations come from parents in the community through direct donations, stock gifts , and contributions from donor advised funds. SCEF receives about 20% of its funding through corporate matching. In addition, a number of local businesses support SCEF with generous sponsorships, in-kind gifts and auction items for our events. See our Annual Report at the bottom of the What We Fund page

Yes, annual fund donations are 100% tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Amounts over fair market value for auction purchases are also deductible. SCEF, the San Carlos Education Foundation, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization (tax ID 94-2842712). While purchases of event tickets and auction items count toward your total SCEF giving on our donor roll, only the amount over the Fair Market Value is deductible to the extent allowed by law. Purchases of Raffle Tickets are not deductible. The “One Big Beautiful Bill,” passed in 2025, changed the law regarding tax-deductibility. Now, taxpayers who do not itemize can deduct some of their charitable contributions (up to $1,000 for single payers and $2,000 for married couples). There are also new thresholds for those who itemize. Check with your tax advisor to see how this impacts you.

There are many ways to support the SCEF annual fund campaign. You can make a direct donation either by check or online with a credit card or EFT, make a donation via your Donor Advised Fund, or transfer appreciated stock/securities. You can also set up a monthly recurring donation. See more Ways to Give.

We will charge your payment method at the frequency you request when initiating your donation. To make changes to your recurring donation, please contact info@scefkids.org.

SCEF counts all annual fund donations, fund the future donations, sponsorships, event tickets /auction purchases, raffle ticket purchases when calculating your total donations for the year.  While not all of these are tax deductible they do count toward your giving level and listed in the annual report. Matching donations secured by you are credited to the company making the donation. Your name is bolded on the donor roll in the annual report to show that you had your donation matched. Matching donations are not added to your personal total giving on the donor roll.