Category: Community Awards

Alameda Unified School District

AUSD School Board Proclaims AEF Appreciation Day

The AUSD School Board proclaimed April 28, 2026 (the fourth Tuesday in April annually) as Alameda Education Foundation Appreciation Day.

“The Board of Education is honored to recognize the Alameda Education Foundation (AEF) for its vital partnership and contributions to Alameda Unified School District.

In 2024–2025, AEF provided over $117,000 in direct support, including teacher mini-grants, student supplies, technology access, and mental health resources, and distributed approximately 1,000 backpacks to students in need.

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Rotary Matching Grant Dec 2025

Alameda Rotary Club Gives AEF 2025 Matching Grant

Twenty Alameda non-profits received grants from the Rotary Club of Alameda at the Rotary meeting on Tuesday, December 9.  The Rotary Club of Alameda awarded $24,000 to local non-profits as part of their matching grant program. These grants come from generous donations made by Rotarians to their favorite Alameda charities and are matched by the Alameda Rotary Endowment Foundation.  AEF received a matching grant for our Teacher Mini Grants program.

Thank you Alameda Rotarians!

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AEF Executive Director Julia Owens

AEF Executive Director Featured in Island Podcast

AEF Executive Director, Julia Owens, was interviewed by Island City Beat‘s Angie Watson-Hajjem (who is also a former AEF Board member) in July 2025. Here’s Julia’s introduction:

In January Julia Owens took over as head of the 40-year-old organization that has stepped in where school funding for many activities has been cut. She comes from a background in non-profits focused on children’s needs, and is excited about continuing AEF’s vital work in Alameda.

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Social emotional lessons for grades K-5

Thank You Kiwanis Club of Alameda!

At its evening meeting on June 4, the Kiwanis Club awarded grants to support community nonprofits, including the Alameda Education Foundation for it’s Teacher Mini Grants program.

For the 2025 Grant Awards, the Alameda Kiwanis Club Grants Committee emphasized work to combat violence and racism, and to promote equity and equality.

AEF is honored to receive this grant, especially for it’s focus on equity in our schools, and is grateful for the continued support from the Kiwanis Club of Alameda and our community!

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Community Impact Award nomination

AEF Nominated for Community Impact Awards

The Alameda Education Foundation has been nominated for the Alameda Chamber & Economic Alliance Innovation Island Award for Community Impact for 2025!

This award honors a business [or non-profit organization] that has made significant contributions to Alameda through innovative programs, initiatives, or partnerships, through activities such as novel approaches to corporate social responsibility, unique collaborations with local organizations, or creative solutions to community challenges.

The award recipients will be announced at the Innovation Island Excellence Awards on June 26 at Almanac Brewing company.

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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.

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Bank of Marin grant 2025

Thank You Bank of Marin!

Thank you to the Bank of Marin for granting $2,500 to Alameda Education Foundation to support AEF Teacher Mini Grants! With a specific focus on need, Teacher Mini Grants provide an opportunity for AUSD teachers to apply for items that will benefit their students but that are not covered in the school budget. Many of these grants focus on teachers at Title I schools and special programs, such as Special Ed and English Language Learning.

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Rotary matching grant awarded November 2024

Alameda Rotary Club Gives Matching Grant to AEF

On Tuesday, November 19, 2024 the Alameda Rotary Club presented $19,750 in matching grants to nonprofit organizations to support the important services and support that they provide in our community. The grants were presented at a meeting at Trinity Lutheran Church, which provided its Fellowship Hall for the event. Alameda Education Foundation received a matching grant from the Alameda Rotary Club along with several other non-profits in Alameda.

The grants are “matching” because individual Rotarians can make a donation to a worthy nonprofit in our community and then have our club’s foundation “match” that amount to double their donation.

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