IPSF Announces 25 Grant Recipients

Cassie Steuart’s WISE Owls BELONG project at Oak Creek Elementary was among 25 recipients of IPSF grants. Photo credit IPSF

Since its inception in 1996, the non-profit Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF) has helped Irvine’s public schools excel. Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) is able to offer student enrichment that many school districts have had to forgo because of IPSF’s generosity. Through donations from community leaders and businesses, IPSF has brought activities like art, music, and physical education back to school.

Now as it celebrates its 25th year of philanthropy, IPSF is making an even greater commitment to the students in Irvine.

Each year, IPSF offers teachers, staff, and students in IUSD the opportunity to apply for funds through the Innovative Grants Program. In celebration of the organization's 25th anniversary, IPSF increased its commitment to innovation by awarding IUSD educators at 25 schools and/or departments with grants of up to $10,000 each, for a total of $250,000. See the grant recipients here:

The purpose of this grant program is to support innovation in schools by awarding funds to launch new curriculum or projects that improve the educational experiences of students throughout the district.

Projects awarded this year included innovation labs, school gardens, communication devices for speech and language programs, robotics technology, media equipment, virtual reality, and sensory tools for mental wellness.

“We are proud to support IUSD educators who are passionate about elevating student learning far beyond standard academic curriculum, keeping our schools centers of innovation,” explains Neda Eaton, President and CEO of Irvine Public Schools Foundation. “During these challenging times, we are grateful to the group of passionate donors who stepped forward this year to ensure that Irvine students continue to have the most innovative learning opportunities available. A special thank you to Emile and Dina Haddad for their generous leadership gift to help expand the program.”

In addition to a generous personal contribution, Emile Haddad served as Honorary Chair of the 2022 Innovative Grants Program.

“Over the last 25 years, a lot has changed in our lives, and it is all due to innovation,” says Emile Haddad, Founder and former CEO of FivePoint. “If we are going to give our children the best chance to succeed in today’s world, we must provide them with opportunities like this program, which are made possible through collaboration of corporate leadership, community leadership, and parent support through IPSF.”

Additional funding for this year’s Innovative Grants Program came from corporate partner donations from Assistance League of Irvine, the Chinese American Mutual Association, and parents’ donations via the IPSF, Parents Appreciating Teachers and Staff (PATS) program.

Since 1996, IPSF’s Innovative Grants Program has awarded over $2 million to teachers and counselors, benefiting over 200,000 students.