Education Foundation to Present $2M Check to District

The most successful fundraising year to date for the La Cañada Flintridge Education Foundation will culminate in a check to the local school district for $2 million this fall.

Under the helm of past president Valerie Aenlle-Rocha, the foundation collected monies that nearly double its average annual donation amount. On July 1, Paul Murray took the reins from Aenlle-Roch and began his term as president, the foundation announced.

"He will be a great asset as we try to match our fundraising success of this past year,'' said Lindsay McGregor, the foundation's executive director. McGregor thanked "the many generous school families, local businesses and community members'' who made this gift possible.

Since the foundation was created in 1978, it has donated more than $15 million to the .

Earlier this year, the district formed a task force to help assuage state budget cuts, which contributed to LCUSD's $6 million budget gap. The widely talked about cuts and potential for larger class sizes and lost programs led to an increase in donations.

Some district campuses boasted a nearly 90 percent participation rate, but under Murray's leadership he would like to raise that donation number even higher, he told the .

“We will continue to strive to reach 100% participation,” Murray is quoted in the Valley Sun's article. “We know that not everyone can afford to be a platinum partner (contributions of $2,500 and above), but everyone should be able to give something — whether it's a straight donation, or a grant of goods or services.”

Murray has been a board member with the Foundation since 2008 and
served as the executive vice president last year.

One strategy Murray told the Valley Sun about is to “aggressively seek sponsorship and underwriting opportunities for our local businesses,” so they can ramp up their support for the schools.

To donate to the Educational Foundation, please visit its website at lcfef.org/donate or call (818) 952-4268.