Welcome to the Education Foundation

The BCSD Education Foundation is a charitable, non-profit organization aimed at directly impacting the lives of children through innovative educational programs. Every dollar raised goes directly back to the students in the classroom. You can support these innovative grants through the foundation's yearly, Teddy Bear Picnic. Additional opportunities to support students and educators at BCSD include becoming a Community Partner in Education or a donor on our Tree of Knowledge.

Teddy Bear Picnic

The 28th Annual Teddy Bear Picnic will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center, where more than 300 people will enjoy a delicious luncheon and wonderful entertainment by District students.

Tickets are available online at EventBrite and in person at the BCSD Ed Center.
To donate to the Teddy Bear Picnic, email bcsdef@bcsd.com.
To learn more, please check out the BCSD Ed Foundation Facebook page.

Sponsor Information

The Bakersfield City School District Education Foundation is excited to continue the Tree of Knowledge fundraising project. The Tree of Knowledge will be on permanent display in the front lobby of the BCSD Education Center located at 1300 Baker Street, Bakersfield, CA. It includes 400 multicolored leaves and a limited number of foundational rocks all with donor names inscribed.

Proceeds from The Tree of Knowledge will make it possible for the Education Foundation to continue to provide teacher and technology grants that directly benefit BCSD students. Grants provided through the Education Foundation range from $300 to $2,000 per classroom. With your help, we can provide high-quality enhanced learning experiences in BCSD classrooms.

The following donor levels are available:

Donor Leaves – Appear as part of the tree’s canopy
- Gold: $1,000
- Silver: $500
- Bronze: $250
Donor Rocks – Appear at the foot of the tree
- Large: $2,500 (6” x 9”)
- Medium: $2,000 (5” x 7”)
- Small: $1,500 (4” x 6”)
Inscription Details
- Up to three lines of text
- 15-18 characters per line (including spaces)
- All Donor names will appear on the plaque next to The Tree of Knowledge.

Tree of Knowledge Order Form

Education Foundation Grants

Awarded Grants

Apply for a BCSD Education Foundation Grant

Several grant opportunities are available to BCSD teachers through the Education Foundation. The grants offered are annual Student Achievement Grants, Semi-Annual Mini-Grants, along with monthly Polly Robertson Memorial Reading Incentives and Chess Grants.

BCSDEF Scoring Rubric

DOWNLOAD GRANT APPLICATIONS BELOW

“User-Friendly” Forms

Just complete the forms on your computer, print and submit — It’s that easy!

ALL GRANT APPLICATIONS MUST BE TYPED.

NO HANDWRITTEN APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Learn more about

Grant Guidelines and Applications

Student Achievement Grants – Deadline: April 2, 2026

2026-2027 Student Achievement Grants – Up to $2,000 (individual) or $4,000 (partner/team) — awarded on a competitive basis. These grants are awarded annually (in the Spring for the following school year), and fund innovative projects in the classroom that promote student achievement in and outside of the classroom.
- Student Achievement Grant Applications will be accepted in the Superintendent's office beginning Monday, March 2, 2026.
- Winners will be announced by Friday, May 22, 2026
- 2026-2027 Student Achievement Grant Instructions (See Below)
- 2026-2027 Student Achievement Grant Intake Sheet (Application) (See Below)

Technology Grants – Deadline: April 2, 2026
- 2026-2027 Technology Grants– Up to $1,000 (individual) or $2,000 (partner/team) – awarded on a competitive basis. These grants are awarded annually (in the Spring for the following school year), and fund innovative projects using any and all forms of technology in the classroom.
- Technology Grant Applications will be accepted in the Superintendent's office beginning Monday, March 2, 2026.
- Winners will be announced Friday, May 22, 2026
- 2026-2027 Technology Grant Application (See Below)

Mini Grants –
- Back to School – Deadline: April 2, 2026
- (Back to School - Deadline revised to: Friday, the first week in April (see March 6, 2025, TAB)
- Winners for the Back to School Mini grant will be announced Friday, May 22, 2026
- Spring Mini Grants – Deadline: Friday, the first week in December.
- Mini-Grants – $100 to $1,000 (awarded on a competitive basis). These grants are awarded two times a year (in May for “Back to School” Mini-Grants and in January for “Spring” Mini-Grants) and fund innovative projects in the classroom.
- Mini Grant Application (See Below)
- General Grant Guidelines (See Below)

Polly Robertson Memorial Reading Incentives –
- Awarded throughout the school year
- Individual teacher applications may be awarded up to $300. A teacher team may be awarded up to $600.
- Up to $600 per school site, per school year (non-competitive). It is as easy as 1,2,3. Fill out the application and submit. It will pay for any projects that promote reading. Ideally projects should impact as many children at the school as possible. Each school can be funded up to $600.
- Application forms are due no later than 4:30 p.m. on the last Friday of every month.
- Polly Robertson Memorial Reading Incentives Application (See Below)
BCSD Academic Competition Grants (Chess) –
- Awarded throughout the school year
- Up to $600 per school site, per school year (non-competitive). If you need chess pieces and/or equipment or want to start a chess club, this grant is for you!
- Application forms are due no later than 4:30 p.m. on the last Friday of every month.
- Academic Competition Grant Application (See Below)

Grant Documents

Grant Opportunities Outside of BCSD Education Foundation

There are a variety of grant opportunities for educators varying from $500 and up. Each month this website is updated with new links and information. Click Here to See Upcoming Grant Opportunities.

California Table Grape Commission - More information to follow.

For All Competitive Grants Over $10,000 and that will require the BCSD Superintendent’s Signature, please contact Fiscal Services for assistance at x14698. Visit Fiscal Services for Non-Foundation Grant Forms.

Grant Writing Forms:

GrantWriterbudgetform
FiscalGrantApprovalInteracti
GrantApplicationCheckList

Education Foundation Forms

BCSD Education Foundation Check Request

Use this form to be reimbursed or to have a check made directly to the vendor. This form is to be used with all BCSD Education Foundation grants or funds.

Check Request 2.2025

Payments directly to vendors: Please note that the Education Foundation does not purchase items directly from vendors with credit cards. Please ensure that the vendor accepts checks and mail orders before submitting a check request to pay a vendor. The Education Foundation may reimburse purchases made by District employees using their personal credit cards with proper receipts.

Purchase of student food: All purchases for food intended for students must meet the District’s Student Wellness Food Guidelines. Please review the TAB published on January 7, 2016, to ensure your future purchases are in line with the guidelines. Please note that as per the TAB “In accordance with Federal and State regulations and BCSD Student Wellness Board Policy (BP600.3), food is not to be used as a reward or withheld as punishment.” Purchases for student food outside of the guidelines will not be approved for reimbursement.
Student Wellness Food Guideline Tab

Smart Snacks Product Calculator

Student-Wellness-Guidelines

Video Release Forms

Please share your success stories with us! Take pictures of the projects that are being used in your classrooms and e-mail them to us at thompsonla@bcsd.com. Make sure that you send us either English Photo/Video Release Form or a Spanish Photo/Video Release Form. Click below to download the forms.

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In This Section

Welcome to the Education Foundation

Teddy Bear Picnic

The 28th Annual Teddy Bear Picnic will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center, where more than 300 people will enjoy a delicious luncheon and wonderful entertainment by District students.

Tree of Knowledge

Sponsor Information

Tree of Knowledge Order Form

Education Foundation Grants

Awarded Grants

Apply for a BCSD Education Foundation Grant

DOWNLOAD GRANT APPLICATIONS BELOW

“User-Friendly” Forms

Student Achievement Grants – Deadline: April 2, 2026

Technology Grants – Deadline: April 2, 2026

Mini Grants –

Polly Robertson Memorial Reading Incentives –

BCSD Academic Competition Grants (Chess) –

Grant Documents

Grant Opportunities Outside of BCSD Education Foundation

Education Foundation Forms

BCSD Education Foundation Check Request

Video Release Forms

Foundation Members

Links & Resources