Pasadena Educational Foundation

What Pasadena Educational Foundation does

Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1974 and headquartered at 351 South Hudson Ave in Pasadena, California. PEF exists to bridge the funding gap for the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) by raising private and government resources and operating educational programs that public funding alone cannot cover. It serves every public school student across Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre through a portfolio of 20+ programs spanning arts education (My Masterpieces, Open Stage), STEM (App Academy, Middle School Robotics, 3D Printing across all campuses), enrichment (Summer Enrichment Program serving 1,000+ students), health (school-community gardens at 19 sites), athletics (Stadium 42 renovation), and direct student support (Teacher Grants, Field Trip Grants, College Scholarships).

PEF's revenue model is diversified across four primary streams: individual and corporate donations; government grants secured via its in-house grantwriting service (over $5M annually in federal/state funds); foundation and corporate grants (approximately $2M annually); and school annual fund fiscal administration (a 5% admin fee on school fund balances, with schools collectively raising over $1M). Total annual fundraising has stabilized in the $12–15M range. The foundation does not sell products; rather, it monetizes its institutional capacity by acting as the district's fundraising and grantwriting arm.

The foundation's go-to-market is community-led: events (Celebrating Our Schools, Principal for a Day — 500+ guest principals to date), a nationally recognized Realty Initiative certifying 70+ local real estate agents, direct major-gift cultivation by the Executive Director, and integrated partnerships with 20+ cultural institutions (Norton Simon, Huntington, Autry, Kidspace, Pasadena Playhouse, A Noise Within) and corporate/foundation funders (Dodgers Foundation, Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, Honda, Keck Foundation, Parsons Foundation, CFP Foundation). PEF responded to the January 2025 Eaton Fire by coordinating recovery efforts and disbursing over $7.4M to the PUSD community.

Name

Pasadena Educational Foundation

Legal name

Pasadena Educational Foundation

Website

https://pasedfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Foundation Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Grantmaking Agencies & Education Program Grants Administration (EDADAHAD), Fundraising & Annual Giving (EDALAOAB), Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC), College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits (BPAGADAE)

Keywords

• Educational foundation services
• Public school support
• Grant administration
• Arts education programs
• Community fundraising

Headquarters

HQ city

Pasadena

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual and Corporate Donations: Individual and corporate gifts form a crucial part of the $12 to $15 million that PEF raises for schools each year, bridging the gap between public education funding and actual needs.
2. Government Grants: PEF grantwriting services assist PUSD in securing federal, state, and local government grants including Magnet Grants, California Career Pathway Trust, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, and Community Development Block Grants.
3. Foundation and Corporate Grants: PEF secures grants from foundations and corporations annually, with approximately $2 million raised from foundations and corporations each year supporting arts, athletics, health, STEM, and other programs.
4. School Annual Fund Administration: PEF provides fiscal receiver services to school annual funds, charging a 5% fee on fund balances for administrative services including deposits, donor tracking, and IRS tax reporting.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Pasadena Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers educational programs, grants, and fiscal services to support every public school student in the Pasadena Unified School District across Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre. Its core offerings include in-classroom programs (Summer Enrichment, My Masterpieces, Robotics, Math Academy, Open Stage, App Academy, 3D Printing), grants and awards (Teacher Grants, Field Trip Grants, Scholarships), and professional services for the district such as grantwriting, school annual fund administration, and fundraising support, collectively raising $12-15 million annually.

Product overview

Pasadena Educational Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) by providing a diverse portfolio of educational programs and services. The foundation operates as a platform of interconnected programs including Summer Enrichment Program, My Masterpieces arts education, Middle School Robotics, Math Academy acceleration, Open Stage performing arts, App Academy computer science pathway, and 3D Printing technology across all PUSD campuses. Supporting services include Teacher Grants, Field Trip Grants, and College Scholarships. The foundation also runs outreach initiatives like the Realtor Initiative, Principal for a Day, and SciTech Initiative, while providing operational services including Grantwriting Services, School Annual Funds support, and Fundraising Support for the district. Student engagement programs include Student Think Tank and Building Empathy. Together these programs aim to impact every student at every school every day, with the foundation raising between $12 and $15 million annually for PUSD.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Summer Enrichment Program
• My Masterpieces: Discovering Art in My Community
• Middle School Robotics
• Math Academy
• Open Stage
• App Academy
• 3D Printing Program
• Teacher Grants
• Field Trip Grants
• College Scholarships
• School-Community Gardens
• Athletics Program Support
• Grantwriting Services
• School Annual Funds Administration
• Fundraising Support
• Realtor Initiative

Quantifiable outcome

• 14,000 students impacted annually across Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPEF's primary partner in supporting public schools. PEF provides grantwriting services, program support, and fundraising to help PUSD deliver comprehensive educational programs to students in Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre.
• Pasadena Education Network (PEN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in the Realty Initiative program, working together to provide opportunities for real estate agents to learn about and connect with PUSD schools.
• Pasadena-Foothills Association of REALTORS (PFAR)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartners in the nationally recognized Realty Initiative, hosting PUSD REALTOR Certification Courses that have certified 70+ local real estate agents.
• Pasadena Community Gardens ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in school-community garden program, supporting nine edible gardens that teach healthy living through farm-to-table programs with a master gardener.
• Kidspace Children's MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTK/Kindergarten students explore physical surroundings at Kidspace to observe local plants and animals as part of My Masterpieces program.
• The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanic GardenscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst graders visit art collections and engage in close looking and storytelling as part of My Masterpieces K-6 arts education program.
• Side Street ProjectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeaching artists lead second graders on public art tours with hands-on workshops as part of My Masterpieces program.
• Descanso GardenscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecond graders explore natural environments and create site-specific art as part of My Masterpieces program.
• Gamble HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThird graders guided by PUSD junior docents through historic house examining architectural form and function.
• Autry MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThird graders explore how the Tongva people use knowledge of land and environment as part of My Masterpieces.
• Pasadena Museum of HistorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFourth graders explore art collections in the Fenyes Mansion led by PMH staff and middle-school junior docents.
• ArtCenter College of DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFourth graders visit ArtCenter to learn about artistic techniques and mediums.
• Norton Simon MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFifth graders engage in docent-led tours exploring landscapes and dance across cultures as part of My Masterpieces.
• Armory Center for the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFifth graders experience contemporary art exhibitions and experiment with materials at Armory Center.
• USC Pacific Asia MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSixth graders enhance study of ancient civilizations through examining convergence of culture in art, economics, and philosophy.
• A Noise WithincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerforming arts partner for Open Stage program, providing theater experiences integrated with history curriculum for middle school students.
• Ensemble Shakespeare TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner theater for Open Stage performing arts program serving middle school students.
• Pasadena PlayhousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner theater for Open Stage program connecting theater arts with middle school curriculum.
• Sierra Madre PlayhousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner theater for Open Stage performing arts program.
• Los Angeles Dodgers / Dodgers FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDodgers and LADF managed reconstruction of John Muir High School baseball field (Stadium 42), a $260,000 project with Baseball Tomorrow Fund contribution.
• Rose Bowl Legacy FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported robotics Robo Rally competition and athletic facility improvements at PUSD schools.
• HondamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenerously supported the Robo Rally robotics competition for middle school students.
• Pasadena HeritageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in architectural tours of historic PUSD school buildings.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Pasadena Education Network: PUSD-focused education nonprofit that co-leads the Realty Initiative with PEF, working to connect real estate agents and families with PUSD schools. Directly comparable as another community-based nonprofit supporting the same district.
• Los Angeles Education Partnership: LA-area nonprofit supporting K-12 public schools through educator development, family engagement, and community partnerships. Directly comparable as a regional education-support nonprofit with similar program portfolios.
• Inner-City Education Foundation (ICEF): Los Angeles-based nonprofit network operating and supporting K-12 schools with enrichment, college access, and community programs. Comparable as a Southern California K-12 education nonprofit focused on underserved students.
• LA's Promise Fund: LA-based nonprofit supporting public schools in under-resourced communities through wraparound services and program funding. Comparable as a district-anchored education foundation raising philanthropic dollars for school programs.

Regional players

• California Education Partners: California nonprofit partnering with school districts to design and fund student-support programs. Comparable as a state-level intermediary between philanthropy and public schools, though operating at greater scale across multiple districts.
• EdVoice: California advocacy and funding organization focused on K-12 public school improvement for underserved students. Comparable as a California education nonprofit connecting philanthropic resources with public school outcomes.

Broad incumbents

• National Education Foundation: National nonprofit providing scholarships, STEM/IT training, and education support programs. Comparable as a broader, nationally scoped education grantmaking organization that intersects with PEF's scholarship and enrichment activities.

Emerging players

• DonorsChoose: National crowdfunding platform connecting individual donors to public school teacher requests. Comparable as an alternative channel for directing philanthropic dollars to classroom-level education needs, though operating a digital marketplace model rather than foundation-style programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pasedfoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/pasadenaeducationalfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pasadena Educational Foundation