The Walnut Valley Educational Foundation (WVEF) is dedicated to supporting extraordinary learning experiences that help all students achieve their full potential and succeed in the 21st century. Since 1997, the Walnut Valley Educational Foundation has raised nearly a half million dollars for grants that fund innovative classroom projects and provide scholarships to graduating seniors. The Foundati
on’s purpose is to raise and disperse funds – independent of the Walnut Valley Unified School District – to support enrichment and extra curricular programs. The Foundation is a non-profit organization, classified by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501©3 organization. It is governed by a Board of Directors, which meets bi-monthly to conduct Foundation business, review funding requests and applications for student scholarships. All donations are fully tax deductible. Ninety (90) percent of all donations are directed to fund the grants and scholarships. The remaining percentage is used for operating expenses, including bookkeeping, fax preparations and insurance costs. GRANTS FOR CLASSROOM AND SCHOOL-WIDE PROJECTS
Walnut Valley is fortunate to employ exceptionally well trained and creative educators who demonstrate their gift for teaching by creating new ways to enrich the learning of students. Grants are awarded for innovative classroom and school-wide programs, ranging from mini-grants of $300 for classroom materials to program grants of up to $7,500. Grants are awarded for:
Technology
Disadvantaged Youth
Fine Arts
Libraries
Athletics
Enrichment
Mini-grants (classroom materials)
PREVIOUSLY AWARDED GRANTS
High school tutoring program – At risk students from Diamond Bar High tutored elementary school students in reading and math. Technology acquisition – Walnut High purchased computers, video cameras and other equipment for a video production class. Carnegie Hall performances – South Pointe and Chaparral Middle Schools received funding to underwrite expenses for their orchestras to perform at Carnegie Hall. Educational and enrichment field trips – At-risk students, representing various elementary schools, have visited museums and art venues. Sportsmanship for athletes – High school athletic directors and coaches received training to teach ethics and sportsmanship to high school athletes. Improved stage productions – The Diamond Bar High School drama department purchases new stage lighting, props and other equipment for a state-of-the-art production experience. SCHOLARSHIPS
Eight graduating seniors from the two comprehensive high schools and the continuation high school benefit from annual $1,000 scholarships. Scholarship categories include:
* Visual/performing arts
* Industry technology
* Teen citizenship (leadership)
* Ron Hockwalt Memorial Scholarship
In addition, two $1,000 staff scholarships – one for classified (non-teaching) and certificated (teacher and/or administrative) staff – are awarded annually based on merit. FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES
Two community wide events and a fee-based summer school program for elementary school students supplement personal and corporate donations. Proceeds from the summer school program fund the student and staff scholarships and many of the grant categories. The events include:
Teddy Bear Tea – A fun event that is attended annual by several hundred local residents, the Teddy Bear Tea funds the mini-grants to teachers to buy classroom materials. Golf Tournament - Funds raised from the tournament support the athletics grant category.
