Calle Misión 133, Suite 100
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Teléfono (831) 429-3410 | Fax (831) 429-3439
¡Nomina a tu héroe escolar para un premio Eddy !
Founded in 2003, The Santa Cruz Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that promotes excellence and equity in Santa Cruz City Schools by supporting programs and initiatives that develop creative, healthy, and engaged learners so that all students can achieve their full potential. The Santa Cruz Education Foundation (SCEF) supports our local public schools through advocacy, outreach and fundraising.
We firmly believe that our public schools are communities of opportunity where students and families thrive.
The support we receive from the community helps us continue to uplift our schools and unlock the promise of a stronger, healthier, happier future for all students in Santa Cruz.
History & Mission
The Santa Cruz Education Foundation (SCEF) was founded in 2003 by a diverse group of Santa Cruz parents, educators, and community leaders who shared the belief that all Santa Cruz City School (SCCS) students should have access to equitable opportunities and deserve to have an outstanding educational experience. ​​
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For over twenty years, SCEF has made a tremendous impact in the lives of SCCS students through enrichment programs such as El Sistema Music, AVID, Outdoor Science School, Food What, and more. During the Covid Pandemic and CZU Fires of 2020, SCEF pivoted to firmly address the effects brought on by those unprecedented challenges. Through the Positive Impact Grant Program and the Eddy Awards, SCEF has continued to provide steadfast support for our teachers and educators, and prioritizes sustaining the academic enrichment, social supports and wellness our community’s students.
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SCEF is committed to ensuring all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential. We understand that positive educational outcomes also means a commitment to racial and socio-economic equity. It’s the pledge to ensure our students, families and staff are healthy in body and mind, and that our schools are safe and inclusive spaces to learn. We invite our community to uplift our schools and support public education.
Our Goals:
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To educate the community about the critical funding needs of Public Education
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To offer financial support for existing and new cultural, academic and other enrichment programs
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To support the health and wellness of students and families
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To become the focus of district-wide fundraising for Santa Cruz City Schools (SCCS) and to undertake the disparities between school site funds
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To provide a sustainable funding source for programs, educator supports, and initiatives that support success of all students.​
Our Current
Focus Areas:
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Racial & Socioeconomic Equity
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Inclusion and LGBTQ+ Support
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Mental Health & Wellness
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Environmental Justice & Sustainability
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Positive Impact Grants
Over the past five years, SCEF has awarded over 60 Positive Impact Grants to SCCS Educators to support our local schools. Grant projects have aligned with the foundation’s current and past focus areas: Literacy, Racial & Socioeconomic Equity, Mental Health & Wellness, Students with Disabilities, Environmental Justice & Sustainability. These grants provided support to classroom teachers, school counselors, librarians, occupational therapists, and more, reaching all students from the newly-expanding Transitional Kindergarten all the way through High School.
2026 Applications are now open
This year, our Positive Impact Grant Program will be offering around $6,000 in grants of $200 to $1000 to SCCS educators and staff that have a direct and positive impact on our TK-12 students, both in the classroom and after school. We welcome creative, impactful project ideas from all our SCCS educators and staff. We look forward to hearing your proposals!
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We will be accepting applications until the deadline: December 18, 2025
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Awardees will be required to submit a short, 1-page Impact Grant Report by December 18, 2026 (SCEF will provide link to report form)
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Please submit only one application per individual/project.
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Priority will be given to proposals that align with one or more of the SCEF focus areas: Racial/Socioeconomic Justice, Equity and Inclusion, Mental Health, Green Futures/Sustainability.
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Grants will be reviewed by a committee of SCEF Board members and recipients will be announced in February 2026
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SCEF asks to please refrain from using AI for your responses. AI usage last application cycle was apparent and resulted in similar application responses. Additionally, generated responses copy & pasted from AI can result in formatting issues in our system while reviewing applications.
The Eddy Awards
The Eddy Awards are the only regional awards and recognition program for Public Educators. For nearly 20 years, the greater Santa Cruz Community has sent in nominations to recognize the hard work and dedication of Santa Cruz City Schools teachers, administrators, classified staff, volunteers, and community partners. Awardees are celebrated at the Annual Eddy Award Ceremony in spring.
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2026 Nominations will open in January 2026. Please check back here for Nomination Form.
2025 Eddy Award Winners
Outstanding TK-2

Tony DiFrancesca, Gault Elementary

Julie Yanggen, Westlake Elementary
Outstanding 3-5

Maritza Turpin, Gault Elementary

Holly Butler, Delaveaga Elementary
Outstanding 6-8

Jeff Osborne, Mission Hill Middle School

Sarah Maydole, Branciforte Middle School
Outstanding 9-12

Rene Ohana, Harbor High School

Robin Aston, Soquel High School
Outstanding Special Education

Jennifer Bird, DeLaveaga Elementary

Christopher Alreck, Mission Hill Middle School
Wellness Award

Nancy Garcia, Branciforte Middle School
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Green Award

Erin Petersen Lindberg, Branciforte Middle

Stu Branoff, Bay View Elementary School
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Innovation Award
Dillon Baiocchi, Harbor High School
Roseann Coonerty Layne Inspiring Teacher

Jana Peale, Soquel High School
Outstanding Classified Staff

Flora Lopez, Bay View Elementary

Jesse “Bubba” Trumbull, Santa Cruz High School
Outstanding District Staff

Devon Linneman, Costanoa Continuation High School and Harbor High School
Outstanding Facilities Award

Aaron Sisolak Villafane, Westlake
Outstanding Administrator Award

Renee Golder, Bay View Elementary School
Outstanding Parent/Community Member Supporter Award

Cheryl Mercurio, Branciforte Small Schools
Outstanding Community Organization Supporter Award

Bookshop Santa Cruz
Special Foundation Award

Fred Gawlick

Santa Cruz High Marching Band