The Equitable Schools Fund Is Redefining the Future of Public Education in San Diego

Julia from The Sister Cities Project discusses how communities can come together to support every student in San Diego’s public schools.

1. Can you tell us about the mission of the Equitable Schools Fund?

The Equitable Schools Fund is a grassroots, collective-action movement of neighbors, parents, and community members stepping up to address inequities in San Diego's K-12 public schools–inequities that we've unintentionally created through the way private donations work in our public education system.

Here's what's happening: In wealthy neighborhoods, families donate generously to their local schools through PTAs and foundations, raising substantial funds to supplement inadequate state and federal funding. Schools in under-resourced communities don't have access to this same kind of private fundraising infrastructure, so they're left relying on government funding that simply doesn't meet the needs of their students and communities.

The Equitable Schools Fund addresses this in three key ways:

First, we provide the first dedicated pathway to direct donations to public schools in San Diego that historically have not had access to private donations to supplement inadequate state funds. Working in partnership with San Diego Unified School District, we're investing in select schools in Southeast San Diego.

Second, we invest in solutions strategically identified by the school community rather than driving decisions from the outside. By centering what communities identify as their own priorities, we respect and trust in the expertise and knowledge that is inherent within the community.

Third, we educate the San Diego community, especially those from well-resourced school districts and communities, about these systemic funding inequities and empower people to take meaningful action through donations and direct involvement in the movement. It's about recognizing our collective responsibility and duty to one another as members of the same community. We can't keep turning a blind eye to the inequities we're all participating in, even passively, through our well-intentioned donations to our own neighborhood schools.

2. What does educational equity mean to you, and what are some of the biggest barriers you're seeing in K–12 public schools in San Diego?

Educational equity means that every child should have access to the resources and support they need to succeed, no matter where they live. But it's also about changing how we think about and talk about these issues.

Traditional approaches to addressing educational disparities often use a deficit-based lens–only seeing problems to fix and missing the existing assets and strengths within communities. The reality is that families and leaders in underserved communities are incredibly committed, resilient, and resourceful. They consistently show up and advocate for their schools. The problem isn't the people–it's the systems that have failed communities, that have systematically divested from certain neighborhoods and populations.

Right now in San Diego County, a child's education varies dramatically based on their neighborhood, and that's fundamentally unjust. And the hard truth is, private donations from families and community members play a massive role in this inequity within our public school system. In coastal North County, families contribute an average of over $750 per student annually through PTAs and foundations, funding everything from STEAM specialists to mental health services and enrichment programs. Meanwhile, schools in Southeast San Diego have almost no access to this kind of community fundraising and rely almost entirely on government funding, which often fails to meet students' needs.

The result? At one elementary school in Southeast San Diego where 97% of students come from socioeconomically disadvantaged families, only 23% of students meet grade-level reading standards. Compare that to over 80% at a coastal North County school. This gap isn't about family commitment–it's about systemic inequities. One of those inequities is one that we, as a community, have the power and obligation to address.

3. How does the Equitable Schools Fund directly impact students, schools, or communities?

In our first year, we've already seen meaningful impact. We've supported 5 schools and funded 10 Community Schools Initiative grants across several critical areas.

For students, we've funded afterschool programs like a weekly rugby program for 3rd-5th graders that's reduced absenteeism and increased engagement. We've stocked essentials pantries with basic clothing and hygiene supplies, improving wellbeing and creating more stability for students and families. We've provided student athlete recognition items and school logo decals that boost motivation and sense of belonging.

For families and communities, we've funded engagement events like back-to-school meet-and-greets that build trust and connection between caretakers and teachers.

What's powerful is that every grant responds to specific needs identified by the schools themselves.

4. In less than a year, the Equitable Schools Fund has gained over 150 donors and raised more than $40,000. What do you think contributed to its rapid success in such a short time?

I think people were ready for this approach. There's been a growing awareness that the current system isn't working for all students, and many San Diegans from well-resourced areas were looking for a meaningful way to address this inequity.

What resonated was both the simplicity of the solution and the shift in how we frame the work. We're not positioning ourselves as saviors coming in to "help those less fortunate." Instead, we're being honest about systemic issues and acknowledging our collective responsibility as members of the same community. Traditional philanthropy sometimes centers the feelings of the donor—the satisfaction or sense of purpose that comes from giving—rather than this fundamental commitment we have to one another, to our community, and to our society.

We're also not asking people to choose between supporting their neighborhood school and addressing inequity—we're asking them to do both. When families in affluent areas donate to the Equitable Schools Fund alongside their local PTA and Foundation, they're part of creating the kind of comprehensive support system that all students deserve.

The approach itself matters too. By investing in what communities identify as their own priorities rather than imposing external solutions, we avoid the unintended harm that can come from well-intentioned efforts that aren't grounded in what a community actually needs. We do want donors to feel connected to this work and we share outcomes, but we do it in a way that serves the work itself rather than creating extensive accountability structures that can reflect an inherent distrust.

We've also been intentional about building a movement, not just asking for donations. Our robust volunteer team–which includes folks from all across San Diego, as well as students from several local high schools–is at the heart of what this movement is about!

5. What's next for the Equitable Schools Fund Project?

We're celebrating our one-year milestone and looking ahead with ambitious goals. We're working toward growing to 500 donors total by the end of year two, which would significantly expand our impact.

In addition to growing our donor base, we want to engage even more students, parents and families as volunteers, deepen our partnerships with PTAs and Foundations across San Diego County, continue building awareness about educational equity and compelling people to take action. We're also focused on growth and sustainability–demonstrating that this model works and can be scaled (think large foundation grant funding, corporate funding!) to create lasting change in how our community supports all public schools.

6. How can students, parents, or community members get involved or support your work?

There are so many ways to get involved! The most direct way is to donate at sistercitiesproject.org/equitable-schools-fund.

Beyond donations, people can join our volunteer team or get their PTA involved. We have a PTA Action Guide with options ranging from simple to more involved—everything from sharing ESF messaging with families, to adding ESF information to PTA communications, to hosting events or adding an ESF item to school auctions.

For students specifically, join our High School Student Action Team, which is a great opportunity for young people who are passionate about educational justice to take leadership roles in this movement.

People can learn more and sign up to get involved at sistercitiesproject.org/esf-get-involved, or email us directly at ESF@sistercitiesproject.org.

The key message is that everyone has a role to play in creating a school system where every child in San Diego can reach their full potential, and we'd love to have more people join this movement.

Also - join us for (Eco)Exchange 38: The Truth About Inequity in San Diego's K-12 Schools on Saturday, November 1, 12-2pm at Pacific Highlands Ranch Library, an event that will feature expert panelists, community stories, and discussion about how educational inequities play out in our communities and schools, and how you can take action!