What year!

In the last year, we sent two high school juniors overseas through our Fellowship Program. One student spent the summer in Spain, focusing on language and culture. The other student spent several weeks in Paris, learning about fashion design and marketing. Both students will share their experiences with fellow students and our donors. These are life-changing experiences for seventeen-year-olds from the Anderson Valley!

In the last year, we sent two high school juniors overseas through our Fellowship Program. One student spent the summer in Spain, focusing on language and culture. The other student spent several weeks in Paris, learning about fashion design and marketing. Both students will share their experiences with fellow students and our donors. These are life-changing experiences for seventeen-year-olds from the Anderson Valley!

Our Grants Program helped fund over $35,000 in enrichment opportunities to students of all ages. Highlights included a trip to Puerto Rico for advanced Spanish speakers, an FFA convention, a trip to Ashland for drama students, and other educational experiences. It is often the mundane experiences that are most exciting, i.e. a student who had never before flown on a plane, ridden an elevator, or been away from home overnight. The Grants Program opens new worlds for local students.

The Jr High Summer Program funded camps for eight students this year; students attending sports camps reported that they were challenged, but gained confidence each day.

Our Internship Program had 29 work opportunities for local students this year. Students completed 80 hours of work each in a wide range of work experiences that included farming, medical office experience, supporting public radio, and working at a restaurant, to name a few! Each student maintained a journal of his/her experiences, and many expressed their thanks for learning and their paycheck!

The graduating class of 2024 was large and motivated! Through the Scholarship Program, we gave out $65,500 to our graduating seniors. Our largest amount yet! Individual scholarships ranged from $500 to $4000.

And our newest program, the Second Chance Scholarship, was able to support three students pursuing the final years of their bachelor's degree, with awards totaling $15,000. We modified the application process, accepting rolling applications, to better meet the needs of students with specific needs.

The AVEF is increasingly moving to electronic applications and donations. We now have a presence on social media: check us out on Facebook and Instagram.

The Anderson Valley Education Foundation is in its third decade of providing opportunities for teachers and students in Anderson Valley. We couldn’t do all these wonderful things without the many individuals and organizations who help make it possible. It is a testament to our community's belief in the value of education that support for AVEF has grown steadily over the years. Thank you all!

Anderson Valley Brewing, Lemon Fresh Design, Boont Berry Farm, and almost every winery in the Valley. Over the years, we have gratefully received multiple grants from The Barstow Foundation, The Meyer Family Fund, The Geomar Foundation, The Community Foundation of Mendocino County, The Cleo Foundation, and The Porter Foundation. Lastly, we thank Wynne Crisman for continuing to host and upgrade this website.

/

Thank you all. Together we have supported our teachers, opened doors for our youth, and enhanced the quality of life in Anderson Valley.

Please check back periodically for updates on our programs and events.