OSSF Launches Spring Fund Drive - April 2009

Contact: Holly Babe Faust,
Executive Director, 415-412-2230

Oakland Small Schools Foundation Launches Spring Fund Drive to Support Oakland Students

Oakland, CA – A non-profit organization dedicated to securing and managing resources for underserved public schools has launched a fundraising appeal to help support the more than 12,000 students in its network.

The Oakland Small Schools Foundation (OSSF) boasts a return of 5-to-1 for every $1 donated during this fund drive. “Just a dollar a day from a donor,” says Executive Director Holly Babe Faust, “turns into $2,000 for schools by year's end.”

“The need for supporting Oakland's public school students is greater than ever,” says Faust. Under the state's proposed budget cuts, California's per-student spending will rank last in the nation, and for Oakland's under-resourced schools this reality is even more stark. The 38 public schools in OSSF's network serve low-income students and are unable to bridge this shortfall without support from foundations and individual donors.

In 2007-08 alone, OSSF raised over $2 million for public schools to fund the resources they need, such as tutors, classroom supplies, after-school programs, family resources, and counselors. OSSF also helps these schools manage their money better and use resources as efficiently as possible for the highest priorities.

OSSF's goal is to raise $25,000 from April to September of this year.

OSSF is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible.

About the Oakland Small Schools Foundation


The Oakland Small Schools Foundation (OSSF) is dedicated to promoting excellence in Oakland's public schools so that all our students have the opportunity to achieve. OSSF is the only private organization focused on securing and managing resources and providing expert operational and fundraising services for those Oakland public schools that serve primarily low-income students, are results-oriented and data-driven, are led by innovative, entrepreneurial leaders, and have a strong emphasis on personalization, collaboration, and family involvement.

OSSF was founded in 2003 by a local group of business and school leaders as a vehicle for raising funds for school programs. Since then, OSSF has developed capacity building, marketing, and administrative services for Oakland’s public schools to support their essential needs and many ambitious programs. OSSF has raised over $5 million for schools since 2004.