San Rafael High School is able to offer students a wide range of enrichment opportunities and help guide them toward a successful future with help from nonprofit education foundations like HeadsUp. After Proposition 13 drastically cut public school funding in California, parents responded by creating nonprofit organizations to raise money for the programs schools could no longer afford. Because of this, students like Frank Faulkner have been able to get help at the College and Career Center (CCC) with their college applications, support that wouldn’t exist without foundations like HeadsUp.

Even with California being the 5th largest economy in the world, Nonprofit organizations have become a vital part of Schools all around California, and it all started with Prop 13. Proposition 13, which passed in 1978, significantly lowered property taxes for homeowners across California. While this helped homeowners save money, it came with some drawbacks. The biggest downside was the cuts to public school funding, which saw a drastic decrease in funding, resulting in schools cutting out many different enrichment activities. The first programs to be cut were the visual and performing arts, taking enrichment opportunities away from students, not allowing them to find new passions and explore different things.

To respond to all of the cuts in funding around Marin, groups of parents began to work together and alongside the community to form non profits and help raise money. They would work with local businesses and families of the community to raise the extra money that was lost when the proposal was passed.

Over time, more and more arts education nonprofit groups formed. HeadsUp is the primary foundation for the San Rafael City Schools District. Full disclosure: Michelene Moayedi, the executive director of HeadsUp, is my mother. HeadsUp has been an organization working with the community since 1982 to give money to public schools to provide educational opportunities for students. Along with the education foundations focused on various school districts, Schools Rule Marin is another organization which works with every district foundation in the county to raise funds for each district, then distributes funds amongst districts depending on the number of enrolled students.

President of HeadsUp, Alicia Klein, explained to me, “At elementary sites, HeadsUp focuses on providing enrichment activities, which have been underfunded at schools across the state since the passage of Prop 13 decades ago.“ They raise money and give it to all schools in San Rafael to give kids the expanded opportunities that were previously not accessible.

HeadsUp provides a number of different educational opportunities; at the elementary school level, they help fund arts education, including music, art, and dance; at the middle school, they fund enrichment opportunities, including after school Jazz Band and Debate, as well as making funds available for the wellness center. Additionally, HeadsUp provides mini grants to fund teacher requests for additional resources in their classrooms. At the high schools, they fund both the Wellness Center and the CCC (college and career center). Laura French, the college consultant in the CCC, has helped lots of students over the past few years, helping them work through the college application process, making things easy and simple for them.

Frank Faulkner, a senior at SRHS, recently used Ms. French for his college applications, and when I asked what he would have done if Ms. French’s assistance wasn’t available, he responded “Without Ms. French I would have struggled trying to do everything on my own. Without her I would have been confused during times and worried that I wasn’t doing it correctly. So I am very grateful that Ms. French was there to help me with everything”.

Frank’s journey through this challenging process, often difficult for most seniors, was simplified with Ms. French’s free assistance. HeadsUp funding this resource allows all students to have access to college consulting without having to pay a lot of money for a private college counselor. This opportunity helps everyone look toward college and not get overwhelmed by the application process. However, that is not all Ms. French does. When I asked her about the things she does for students, she shared, “I help set up mini college fairs, SRHS alumni panels, find internships and summer programs for students, find scholarships students can apply for, and talk to admissions officers.”

Ms. French has been able to make a huge impact for the students here at SRHS and has allowed many of them to try new things and take steps forward to further themselves in their life, setting them up for success. She said she has worked with over 100 students alone this year, ensuring all students at SRHS have the help they need with their future plans.

Both Senior Alica Goetze and Junior Leo Nuch spoke about the significant help they’ve received from Ms. French. Leo shared, “She has helped get me ready to apply next year and find summer programs to look into.” Alica echoed this sentiment, stating, “Ms. French helped me a lot with my college apps, and I don’t know what I would have done without her.”

Without HeadsUp, the College Consultant would not be available, and many students at SRHS would be left trying to navigate the complicated college application process on their own. Without this support, many students would struggle and face significant limitations, making Ms. French’s work vital for SRHS. Beyond college preparation, the CCC also offers support to students planning to enter the workforce directly. They can help students create post-graduation plans, guiding them on initial steps and job search strategies.

HeadsUp is not only helping thousands of students in San Rafael, but also bringing the community together. Ms. Klein said, “HeadsUp also works to strengthen the community, and we use our voice to help grow support for all the schools in the district”. Events like the HeadsUp Carnival see the community come together from every school in the San Rafael City Schools district and work to raise money for the schools, all while having fun and bonding as one whole. So the work done by HeadsUp not only helps the schools and students but also the community as a whole.

The annual HeadsUp Carnival at San Rafael High School brings together students, teachers, and community members who volunteer at booths, running games, serving food, and organizing performances. With this collective effort, donors and proud parents can enjoy watching children perform throughout the afternoon, knowing these performances are made possible by their funding. Kids have fun playing games and enjoying the food, while the air buzzes with the excitement of winning cakes, getting face paint, singing with classmates, and enjoying the afternoon’s festivities.

As someone who grew up going to the HeadsUp Carnival every year, I shared the joy of the event from playing all of the games to the pride I would feel leaving the stage after my school would perform. The unity the community feels during the day makes the nonprofit’s organization work more than just raising money. HeadsUp is building a community.

Deputy Superintendent of San Rafael City Schools, Bob Marcucci, believes that school foundations will remain essential for public schools. He states that these foundations are crucial for securing the necessary funding to continue offering enrichment activities and ensuring the best possible education for students. Despite California boasting one of the world’s largest economies, the state continues to have one of the lowest per-student spending ratios in the country. This disparity forces public schools to rely on nonprofits to bridge funding gaps, a situation not expected to change in the foreseeable future.

Working alongside the local Marin education foundations, Schools Rule provides a large anchor for all of the education foundations, as it is the countywide nonprofit, giving to each district depending on how many students they have. Both groups are necessary to help fund educational opportunities in wellness, arts enrichment, and literacy. The necessary things needed in order to continue to offer a well-rounded education with opportunities for the future.

When I asked Ken Lippie, the Assistant Superintendent of Marin County Office of Education, if he believed more families would begin moving to private schools if public schools weren’t able to offer all of the enrichment opportunities, he said, “Yes, I think so. If we weren’t able to offer things like music and art, then I totally believe that we might start to see more and more families moving to private schools.”

The public schools throughout Marin maintain high enrollments by offering consistent enrichment opportunities, successfully preparing students for college or the workforce. This stability is crucial for local nonprofits, as a drop in enrollment or student performance could lead to decreased donations, creating a detrimental spiral for both students and these organizations.

At SRHS and Terra Linda High School, HeadsUp also funds wellness programs. These programs offer students brain breaks, allowing them to visit the wellness center for 5-15 minutes to relax and regain energy before returning to class. In addition to these breaks, the centers provide counseling services, offering students a confidential space to discuss any concerns and receive support for their mental health, ultimately helping them succeed.

With the current emphasis on mental health awareness, the ability for every student in San Rafael to access support whenever needed has significantly helped them navigate challenges and improve their well-being. Without such opportunities, students could become trapped in a depressed state, struggling to find resources or someone to talk to. This makes the wellness center an incredibly valuable tool for students.

Education foundations successfully raise significant funds for the school district due to the support of both students and a strong community. Most nonprofit organizations are run by community members who collaborate with local businesses, students, and families to create an impactful movement. This involves not only securing donations but also demonstrating gratitude and highlighting the positive change community members are helping to create.

By reaching out to local businesses, nonprofits like HeadsUp partner with them to sponsor and raise money through events and donations. Following up with gratitude for this support not only fosters strong community relationships but can also create a more united place.

HeadsUp provided $452,000 to San Rafael City Schools over the past year, making multiple programs available to students at all levels and satisfying both students and parents. As Ms. Klein stated, “Parents would not be satisfied with a lack of arts.”

By working with Marin schools to meet parent expectations, local nonprofit educational organizations can help fill in gaps so that students receive a successful and enriching public school experience. They can provide crucial support in visual and performing arts, mental health, and college and career readiness, guiding students toward potentially fulfilling future paths.