Impact

Teacher Mini Grants are one of AEF's core programs that provides equity-focused support for teachers and students in Alameda. When AUSD or PTA's are unable to fund special projects or educational tools, they turn to AEF. AEF's primarily awards grants to Title 1 schools (those with a high percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch), Special Education programs, and English Language Development programs. However, given the incredible passion and ingenuity of our teachers, we love to work with them to make their dreams of creativity in their classrooms come true! AEF provided a record 75 Mini Grants worth over $53,000 for a wide range of needs including supplies and books for curriculum and reading support, classroom furnishings, student field trips, innovative projects, teacher development and team building events, mental health support, and STEM and technology programs.

Read some of the wonderful stories from teachers about how they used their AEF Mini Grants here!

Microphones for English Language Learners

AEF provided Technology Support for:

• Scholarships for students in STEM related after school enrichment classes and summer camps.
• Teacher Mini Grants for STEM related classroom projects or supplies, and for special technology related student field trips.
• Support for 20 internet hot spots and devices to keep families in need connected to important educational updates and information.

Thank you to Alameda Municipal Power (AMP) for helping to underwrite these programs through your partnership in Power Up For Learning, which provides an ongoing funding source for student and teacher technology needs. Please click here to learn how you can support technology needs for as little as $5 per month!

At the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, AEF gave 800 fully-stocked new backpacks to under-served students (for a total cost of $15,970) to ensure they started the school year with the supplies they need for success. They were distributed to:

• Alameda Unified School District - Schools that receive Title I funding
• Alameda Point Collaborative - Children & Youth services
• Operation Dignity - homeless and formerly homeless children & youth in Alameda

Learn more here.

Student Art Exhibit at Rhythmix Cultural Works K Gallery April 2025

Throughout the 2024-2025 school year, AEF continued to display nearly a thousand pieces of student art on a rotating basis at locations throughout Alameda as part of our Art Across the Island program. Student art is displayed at Books Inc., Lilac Dress Boutique, See Spot Run, all three of our city libraries, and the K Gallery at Rhythmix Cultural Works.

The theme of this year's Art Changes program was Our Earth: Embracing All Communities. It was based on the nature-focused collage paintings of Salma Arastu as well as the poetry of Maw Shein Win, which she centers on ancestry and the natural world. Students displayed their work at the K Gallery at Rhythmix Cultural Works.

Student reads poetry at the Poetry Slam in April 2025

Finally, AEF and Books Inc. hosted our 2nd Annual Poetry Slam! Poet Maw Shein Win read her poem Thistles, talked about her life and her poetry writing, and took questions from the audience. Then 12 students (representing K-12 students from most of our schools) read their poems about nature, or inspired by Maw Shein Win's poetry.

During the 2024-25 school year, over 902 students participated in x After School Enrichment classes. We gave out 207 scholarships, valued at $49,367, to students on economic assistance programs, underscoring our commitment to equity and inclusivity in our programs and schools.

AEF offers a wide variety of Enrichment Classes at every elementary school in the District.

In the summer of 2024, AEF's Summer Camp program had 435 participants with 1152 registrations in one or several of the 78 camps offered over 4 weeks. Camps were held on the Bay Farm School campus.

This past summer (2025) we had 455 participants with 1328 registrations for 77 camp programs. Camps were held at Earhart School for the first time (thank you Earhart!) and new camps included pickleball, soccer and choir, plus we had lots of art, STEM, performance arts and other camps to choose from!

As part of our focus on equity, we offer 50% scholarships to families in need. We gave out 31 scholarships worth over $2500 in 2024, and 34 worth almost $6000. AEF focuses on helping students participate in our camps regardless of income.

Our full Middle School Sports  program (volleyball, basketball, and track & field) continues to foster essential life skills including sportsmanship and teamwork.  We work with school sites to incorporate academic and behavioral tie-ins to help students prepare for high school.

During the 2024-2025 school year, 627 6th - 8th graders participated in sports, including 134 participants in co-ed Volleyball (10 teams), 105 participants in Girls Basketball (10 teams), 121 in Boys Basketball (10 teams), and 309 participants (on 12 teams) in Track and Field.

Our program is based at school sites to provide accessibility to students whose families do not have the resources for community or club sports.  Modest participation fees are supported by generous scholarships.  This year, we provided 130 scholarships of 90% or 100% to students in need, worth $14,835.  Our Program Principles continue to focus on equity and inclusivity.

AEF's Middle School Sports program costs approximately $100,000 to run annually and we receive no district funding.  Community support from people like you make the magic happen.  Read more about the program here.