Press Release Details
Press Release Message
Press Release
San Francisco (May 6, 2026) -- Spark SF Public Schools, the public foundation of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), held its 11th Annual Gala on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at the Asian Art Museum. The milestone event brought together educators, civic leaders, philanthropists, and community members to celebrate over a decade of impact supporting San Francisco’s public school students.
Since its founding in 2015, Spark has mobilized more than $165 million in support of SFUSD students, educators, and school communities, helping to pilot innovative programs, scale proven strategies, and respond to emerging student needs.
A centerpiece of this year’s gala was a special recognition of the 10-year impact of the African American Achievement and Leadership Initiative (AAALI), a sustained effort to improve literacy outcomes and educational experiences for Black students in San Francisco. The evening also featured student performances and stories from across the district.
“Spark has grown into a powerful engine for connecting San Francisco’s philanthropic community with the needs of our public schools and our students,” said Ginny Fang, President of Spark SF Public Schools. “This gala is both a celebration of what we’ve accomplished together and a call to deepen investment in the future of our city through strong, thriving public schools.”
Attending last night were civic leaders and public school supporters from across the city, including Mayor Daniel Lurie and First Lady Becca Prowda, Board of Education Members Phil Kim, Jamie Huling, Alida Fisher, Parag Gupta and Lisa Weissman-Ward, and Board of Supervisors Members Cheyenne Chen, Danny Sauter and Stephen Sherrill. In attendance were several founding leaders of AAALI including Rev. Amos Brown, Virginia Marshall, and former SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthews.
A Decade of Impact
Spark’s first 10 years have demonstrated the transformative potential of sustained philanthropic partnership. Through targeted investments aligned with district priorities, Spark has helped:
- Expand access to high-quality literacy and STEM instruction
- Support educator training and development
- Strengthen student wellness and mental health services
- Increase access to career pathways and real-world learning opportunities
- Deliver direct support to students and families facing the greatest barriers
This work comes at a critical moment, as school districts across California navigate financial pressures, enrollment shifts, and evolving student needs. Spark’s model of sustained, strategic philanthropy has become an increasingly essential component of delivering stable, high-quality public education.
“Our partnership with Spark allows us to be strategic and impactful in how we support students and educators,” said Maria Su, Superintendent of SFUSD. “This collaboration has made a meaningful difference in classrooms across the city, and it continues to be vital as we build stronger, more resilient schools for San Francisco families.”
Event Spotlight: 10 Years of the African American Achievement and Leadership Initiative
A decade ago AAALI was launched with a focus on high-quality instruction, culturally responsive practices, and targeted student support for San Francisco’s African-American students. The initiative has helped elevate literacy achievement while strengthening engagement with students and families, demonstrating the power of long-term, community-centered investment.
The gala highlighted AAALI as a model for how philanthropy, when aligned with district leadership and sustained over time, can drive meaningful change and improve outcomes for students who have historically been underserved. At the event Mayor Lurie presented AAALI with a Certificate of Honor recognizing its 10 years of impact serving San Francisco youth.
Learn more about AAALI’s programing
A Bold Goal to Build Support for SF Public Schools
As Spark enters its second decade, the organization is focused on expanding its impact and deepening its base of support. Building on strong momentum, Spark has set a bold goal to deepen and expand San Francisco’s support for its public schools, by reaching $50 million in annual donations by 2035. This would triple what Spark is delivering to support San Francisco public schools today.
“Public schools are one of the most important investments we can make in San Francisco’s future,” said Diana Campoamor, Chair of the Spark SF Public School Board of Directors. “With this event we are continuing to build awareness that strong schools are foundational to a city that believes in creating opportunities for every child to grow and thrive.”
About SPARK SF Public Schools
Spark SF Public Schools is the official public foundation for the San Francisco Unified School District, mobilizing philanthropic and community investment in San Francisco’s public education system to ensure all children in San Francisco have access to an excellent public education.
About SFUSD
SFUSD is the seventh largest school district in California, educating 50,000 PreK-12 students every year. San Francisco is both a city and a county; therefore, SFUSD administers both the school district and the San Francisco County Office of Education (COE). This makes SFUSD a “single district county.”