About AEF Archives - Alameda Education Foundation

AEF Sports Program Manager Lily Gates-Tilles

Introducing AEF’s New Sports Program Manager

AEF is thrilled to introduce Lily Gates-Tilles! She writes: “I...

Rotary Club of Alameda Grant Recipients 2025

Thank You Rotary Club!

AEF is grateful to be the recipient of the generous grant from Rotary in 2025! These funds will go to support our Teacher Mini Grant program. The Rotary Club of Alameda distributes thousands of dollars in community grants each year through its Season of Giving Program. Funds for the program are generated by a Lobster Dinner, the generosity of sponsors, and the Alameda Rotary Endowment Foundation. Many nonprofits received grants, all of which ended up contributing to the greater good of our community.

Standing with the Alameda Unified School District

With the recent news out of Washington D.C., AEF stands with Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) as we navigate the concerns raised by Superintendent Pasquale Scuderi about the potential dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education. While the full impact of this proposal remains uncertain, we share the superintendent’s worry about the disruption it could cause—especially for our most vulnerable students.

AEF plays a crucial role in supporting AUSD’s mission to provide an equitable education and opportunities for all students.

What Black History Month Means to Me

by Renate Westbrooks, from the AUSD Newsletter Community Voices

For this month’s Community Voices essay, we [AUSD] asked Renate Westbrooks to write about what Black History Month means to her. Ms. Westbrooks, a longtime educator here in Alameda, currently works as the Focal Scholars Advisor at Ruby Bridges Elementary School. She also serves on the board of the Alameda Education Foundation, and this year, Girls Inc. of the Island City chose her as one of its Women Who Dare Awardees!

AEF Affirms That Everyone Belongs Here

AEF believes that Everyone Belongs Here and we remain committed to serving and supporting our diverse community of public school students. We will continue to serve as a critical bridge toward equitable and inclusive educational outcomes for Alameda TK – 12 public school students. We remain and will remain committed to:

Showcasing artists and art that represent the beautiful mosaic of our culturally diverse Bay Area through our Art Changes and Art Across the Island programs
Encouraging student-athletes to participate in AEF sports programs that match their gender identity
Hiring instructors who represent the diversity of our student population for our sports,

A Message from AEF’s New Executive Director

Greetings!

I am thrilled to join the Alameda Education Foundation as the new Executive Director. With Vicki’s impending retirement, I know I have big shoes to fill, and I appreciate that she has offered a generous overlap period as I learn the numerous facets of AEF’s work. I look forward to meeting with many of our AEF community members, partners and supporters over the coming weeks as I step into this role.

AEF Executive Director Vicki Sedlack Retiring

Dear Friends,

I am writing to let you know that I will be retiring by the end of this school year.

I have been with AEF for 15 years and working here has been my passion. I love supporting education and I love the huge impact we make on Alameda students every single day. I have been so lucky to have my passion and my job be the same thing.

AEF has an incredible board and staff,