The University City Foundation for Public Schools was founded in 1993 and uses the legal Doing Business As (DBA) title, EdUCate! We incorporated and gained recognition from the IRS and State of California as a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Foundation.
Our founders decided to raise funds for those “out of pocket” extras that the school district could not provide. The original volunteers included Deb Horwitz, MaryKay Hewitt, Drs. Bruce Robbins and Elaine Hanson. The first meeting was a small “tea and cookie” event in a bank lobby. Back then, school foundations were not commonplace and tasting events weren’t available every weekend. But everyone knew good schools were key to a good neighborhood, and the idea of adding some private and business support to the schools’ budgets resonated deeply.
That first bank lobby reception evolved into “Taste of the Triangle” in the fall of 1995 with Mayor Susan Golding in attendance. Local restaurants and businesses continue to support the event, which is still our biggest fundraiser. VIP reception speakers have included State Assemblywoman Susan Davis, SD Symphony conductor Jung-Ho Pak, Padres pitcher Randy Jones, radio personality and author Richard Lederer, novelist Susan Vreeland, SDSU President Stephen Weber, and Qualcomm founder Irwin Jacobs. We have had magicians and celebrity chefs. “Taste” is fun, and being a VIP donor makes it even more enjoyable.
Other events have helped build community support for our fine schools:
- 2002-2006, Friendraiser showcased student work and performances.
- Our 5K run brought families to the UCHS campus.
- 2003, Cheryl Creagh introduced Honor A Teacher.
- 2006, Elaine Hanson launched Dollar a Day.
- 2009, Roj Fay helped us get $13K in grant funding from Las Patronas.
- 2009, Brook Feerick chaired the first EdUCate! Oktoberfest at Standley Park.
- 2014, Kelly Dudley, 5th grade teacher at Doyle Elementary, requested a Teacher Grant to purchase the Jr. Achievement BizTown curriculum and hands-on field trip. Due to the success of this program, we worked with JA BizTown to include a second UC school in their program for the following school year. Today, all 5th graders at Curie, Doyle and Spreckels attend JA BizTown!
- 2023, EdUCate! was selected as a 2023 California Nonprofit of the Year by State Senator Brian Jones. EdUCate! was one of more than one hundred nonprofits honored by their state senators and assembly members for their outstanding contributions to the communities they serve.
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2023, The Google Foundation awarded a $25,0000 Community Grant to EdUCate!
What ideas do YOU have for EdUCate!’s future? Contact our President at president@uc-educate.org