San Juan Education Foundation

What San Juan Education Foundation does

San Juan Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1991 and headquartered in Carmichael, California. It operates as the dedicated independent philanthropic partner of the San Juan Unified School District, serving a district footprint of 40,000+ students across 64 school sites and 5,000+ employees in Sacramento County communities including Arden-Arcade, Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks, Gold River, and Orangevale. The foundation's stated mission is to harness philanthropy and partnership to propel student achievement and enrich the lives of educators, addressing funding gaps left by California's Proposition 13-era school financing model.

The foundation's product portfolio centers on three programs. PROPEL Grants for Educators offers four to five tiers of classroom funding — Innovation Grants (up to $7,500), Transformation Grants (up to $26,000), Achievement Grants (up to $2,500), Greening Grants (up to $1,000), and Resources Grants (up to $500) — with over $890,000 awarded through the Direct-to-Teacher Grant Program since 2006. ACHIEVE Scholarships for Students manages 20 named scholarship funds, distributing $250 to $2,500+ awards to nearly 60 graduating seniors annually, totaling $60,000 in 2026. STARS Awards is the foundation's recognition program honoring alumni, former educators, and community champions at its signature annual gala, "An Evening with the STARS" (held since 2009), with the Fair Oaks Chicken Run community race added as a second signature event in 2022.

The foundation is funded through a diversified philanthropic mix: individual donations, corporate sponsorships (SMUD, Kaiser Permanente, Republic Services, Western Health Advantage), workplace-giving payroll deductions (targeting $250,000 annually), event proceeds, and named scholarship endowments. Since 2006, the foundation has awarded $1,072,089 in cumulative grants and reached its $1 million milestone in 2026. Operations are run by a small staff of 1–10 employees under Executive Director Colleen Cadwallader (the first full-time hire, appointed 2021) and a board chaired by Baelee Zeiher (2026–2027). The organization carries no technology platform beyond a WordPress website, DonorPerfect donation processing, and standard social media channels, and it relies on relationship-driven, community-led fundraising rather than any scalable revenue mechanism.

Name

San Juan Education Foundation

Legal name

San Juan Education Foundation

Website

https://sanjuaneducationfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

San Juan Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 that partners with San Juan Unified School District to fund educator grants, student scholarships, and community events supporting 40,000+ students across 64 Sacramento-area schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Nonprofit Philanthropy

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC), Grantmaking Agencies & Education Program Grants Administration (EDADAHAD), Fundraising & Annual Giving (EDALAOAB), Major Gifts, Planned Giving & Endowment Development (EDALAOAC)

Keywords

• Education foundation grants
• Classroom innovation funding
• Student scholarship programs
• Nonprofit education philanthropy
• Community education fundraising

Headquarters

HQ city

Carmichael

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropy: Primary funding source through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and community giving to support educator grants, student scholarships, and foundation operations.
2. Workplace Giving: Payroll deduction program allowing San Juan Unified employees to make monthly contributions, with goal of $250,000 annually if every employee contributed $5/month.
3. Event-Based Fundraising: Revenue generated through signature events including An Evening with the STARS gala and Fair Oaks Chicken Run community race.
4. Named Scholarships and Grants: Donors create named scholarship funds or sponsor specific educator grants, often in honor of loved ones.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

San Juan Education Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports public education in the San Juan Unified School District by awarding grants directly to educators for innovative classroom projects and scholarships to graduating seniors pursuing post-secondary education. The foundation distributes funds through its PROPEL Grant Program (innovation, achievement, greening, and resources grants), ACHIEVE Scholarship Portfolio (20 managed funds), and STARS Awards recognition program, and raises money via individual donations, corporate sponsorships, workplace giving, and signature events.

Product overview

The San Juan Education Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner to San Juan Unified School District, offering a portfolio of educational enrichment programs. The core offerings include the PROPEL Grant Program (funding educator-led classroom projects and innovations), the ACHIEVE Scholarship Portfolio (supporting students' post-secondary education), and the STARS Awards program (recognizing alumni, educators, and community champions). The Foundation also hosts two signature annual events: 'An Evening with the STARS' gala and the Fair Oaks Chicken Run. Since 2006, over $1.07 million in grants have been awarded, with $60,000 in scholarships distributed in 2026.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PROPEL Grants for Educators: Grant program funding educator projects for innovation, equity, and inclusive classrooms. Includes Innovation Grants (up to $7,500), Greening Grants (up to $1,000), Achievement Grants (up to $2,500), and Resources Grants (up to $500).
• ACHIEVE Scholarships for Students
• STARS Awards

Products and services

• PROPEL Grant Program for Educators Grant program funding San Juan Unified School District educators (certificated and classified) for innovative classroom projects, supplies, field trips, science labs, art and music programs, classroom technology, environmental/greening projects, and community connections. Offers four grant tiers: Innovation Grants up to $7,500, Achievement Grants up to $2,500, Greening Grants up to $1,000, and Resources Grants up to $500. Has awarded over $890,000 to educators since 2006.
• ACHIEVE Scholarship Portfolio Scholarship portfolio supporting San Juan Unified School District graduating seniors pursuing higher education, vocational training, and career pathways. Manages twenty scholarship funds with awards ranging from $250 micro-grants to $2,500+ per named fund, serving nearly 60 graduating seniors annually. Includes scholarships for STEM, performing arts, sustainability, athletics, community service, LGBTQ+ students, construction careers, public service, and other targeted career paths.
• STARS Awards Program Annual recognition program honoring distinguished San Juan Unified alumni, former educators, and community champions. Includes the Hall of Fame for distinguished alumni, Legacy STARS for former educators, and Bryan McKrell Shining STARS Award for community contributors who advance the foundation's and district's mission.
• An Evening with the STARS Gala The foundation's signature annual fundraising gala celebrating STARS awardees while raising critical funds for educator grants and student scholarships. Held annually (next iteration scheduled for October 9, 2026 at Northridge Country Club), honoring distinguished alumni, former educators, and community champions who embody service, trailblazing, accomplishment, and role-model qualities.
• Fair Oaks Chicken Run Community Race Annual community race event benefiting the San Juan Education Foundation since 2022. Includes a 5-mile Chicken Run, 2-mile Rooster Ramble, and kids' races. Proceeds support classroom innovation, student opportunities, and educator grants.

Quantifiable outcome

• $1,072,089 in grants awarded since 2006
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered major, supporting and core.

• SMUD (Sacramento Municipal Utility District)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing support for foundation programs and events; logo displayed on website sponsor section
• Kaiser PermanentemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor; Brandon Ida serves as Community and Government Relations Manager and sits on Board of Directors
• Republic ServicesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSustainability scholarship sponsor; provides three $1,000 scholarships for students pursuing environmental studies; Colin Wallace, General Manager, serves on Board of Directors
• Western Health AdvantagesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for foundation events and programs
• San Juan Unified School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore nonprofit partner of the district; foundation is independent 501(c)(3) working in close partnership to support district schools, educators, and students; receives direct financial support from district; district provides operational alignment and student/educator access
• City of Citrus HeightsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of three $1,000 Sustainability Scholarships for graduating seniors residing in Citrus Heights pursuing environmental studies or sustainability careers
• FLINT Design-BuildsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerScholarship sponsor supporting students pursuing construction-related careers; believes in value of vocational education
• Sacramento Kids DentistrysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerScholarship sponsor for graduating seniors who are patients or siblings of patients with 3.0+ GPA and household income under $100,000
• Sacramento Women's ChorussupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerJean Schultz Memorial Performing Arts Scholarship sponsor; two $1,500 scholarships for female students from El Camino and Mira Loma studying performing arts
• Stonewall Foundation of Greater SacramentosupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsors Prism Award (two $1,000 for LGBTQ+ students) and Charlene Jones Advocacy Award ($2,000 for LGBTQ+ graduating seniors)
• Donnoe & AssociatessupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerScholarship sponsor for Bella Vista High School senior pursuing public service at American River College
• Link LogisticssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerBryan McKrell Shining STARS Award recipient 2026; recognized for contributions advancing foundation and district mission

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• California Community Foundation: A large statewide community foundation that funds education initiatives across California. Much larger in assets and grantmaking scale, but operates in the same education grantmaking and scholarship space, making it a relevant broad incumbent peer.
• Sacramento Region Community Foundation: The regional community foundation serving the greater Sacramento area, including a substantial education-giving focus. Operates at a larger geographic and financial scale than San Juan Education Foundation and provides grants across many causes including education.

Regional players

• East Bay Community Foundation: A regional community foundation serving the East Bay area of California with education grantmaking among its focus areas. Operates a comparable community-foundation education model in a different California geography.

Direct peers

• Silicon Valley Education Foundation: California-based education foundation supporting local school districts through educator innovation grants, student scholarships, and STEM programs. Directly comparable in mission, structure, and program mix, though serving a different (and wealthier) district.
• Sacramento Education Foundation: A community education foundation serving Sacramento-area schools with educator grants and student scholarships. Most direct geographic and functional peer, also operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner to local districts with similar grant and scholarship models.
• Tustin Public Schools Foundation: A school-district-affiliated education foundation in Orange County, California, funding classroom innovation grants and student scholarships. Comparable scale and direct-to-educator grant model, though serving a smaller district than San Juan Unified.
• San Francisco Education Fund: 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting San Francisco Unified School District educators and students through classroom grants and scholarships. Closely comparable operating model: district-affiliated education foundation distributing philanthropic dollars to teachers and students.
• Claremont Educational Foundation: A small community education foundation in California supporting a single school district with classroom grants and enrichment programs. Directly comparable in scale, single-district focus, and educator grant model.

Others

• Sacramento Tree Foundation: A Sacramento-area nonprofit where Executive Director Colleen Cadwallader previously worked. Comparable in regional Sacramento nonprofit ecosystem and organizational size, though focused on environmental education rather than K-12 grants/scholarships.

Emerging players

• Inner-City Education Foundation (ICEF): A Los Angeles-based education nonprofit supporting inner-city schools and students. Comparable mission of supporting underserved public education through philanthropy, though ICEF operates its own schools rather than functioning purely as a grantmaking partner.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SanJuanSTARS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/san-juan-education-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/sanjuaneducationfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about San Juan Education Foundation