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.

Black Angus Fundraiser

Join us and give back. Up to 20% of proceeds support Camp Keep. The first Wednesday of every month! Dine in or Call in (Takeout) Just mention this fundraiser when ordering. Where and when: Black Angus Steakhouse 3601 Rosedale Hwy, Bakersfield CA. 661-324-0814 Terms and Conditions: Valid only at our Bakersfield location. DINE IN or CALL IN takeout only. Cannot be combined with other coupons, discounts, offers or $15 Be Our Guest cards. Guest is responsible for tax and gratuity. Can only be used o

Teddy Bear Picnic

29th Annual Teddy Bear Picnic Holiday Luncheon

The BCSD Education Foundation is excited to celebrate the 29th Annual Teddy Bear Picnic Holiday Luncheon on Friday, December 11, 2026, at the Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center.

This special event brings together community members, local businesses, District staff, and friends of the Foundation for a festive afternoon featuring a delicious luncheon, wonderful entertainment by BCSD students, a silent auction, and our popular Taste of Bakersfield raffle.

Proceeds from the Teddy Bear Picnic support the Bakersfield City School District Education Foundation and its efforts to provide classroom grants and Camp Keep camperships that benefit BCSD students.

Interested in supporting the Teddy Bear Picnic? Sponsorship opportunities and donations are available. We also welcome donations of gift baskets and restaurant gift cards for our silent auction and Taste of Bakersfield raffle.

For sponsorship or donation information, please contact the BCSD Education Foundation at edfoundation@bcsd.com or contact Eve Lyons 661-631-7651.

We look forward to celebrating another wonderful Teddy Bear Picnic with our community on December 11, 2026!

Ready to join us? Purchase your tickets online through Eventbrite. Click here to purchase tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bcsd-education-foundation-29th-annual-teddy-bear-picnic-luncheon-tickets-1996894345743?aff=oddtdtcreator

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, 2027

2027-2028 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 1, 2027.
- Winners will be announced by Friday, May 21, 2027
- 2027-2028 Student Achievement Grant Instructions (See Below)
- 2027-2028 Student Achievement Grant Intake Sheet (Application) (See Below)

Technology Grants – Deadline: April 2, 2027
- 2027-2028 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 1, 2027.
- Winners will be announced Friday, May 21, 2027
- 2027-2028 Technology Grant Application (See Below)

Mini Grants –
- Back to School – Deadline: April 2, 2027
- (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 21, 2027
- 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

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 4.2026

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 edfoundation@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.

Foundation Members

Photo collage of al 16 Ed Foundation Board Members

Pam Baugher: President
Alphonso Rivera: Vice President
Don Kinzel: Treasurer

Directors:
Trina Alvarez, Wendy Armijo, Nicole Brown, Denise Burns, Shanita Ford, Juan Garza, Laura Guerrero-Salgado, Kristie Mead, Debbie Wood, Mark Parham, Isabel Silva, Amber Smithson, Yutsil Villalba

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