What is the Philanthropic Leadership Circle?
The Menlo Park Atherton-Education Foundation (MPAEF) is a parent-led nonprofit that raises funds to support exceptional education for students in the Menlo Park City School District (MPCSD). MPAEF granted the district $3.9 million in 2025–2026 to provide an experience that goes beyond the norm for California public school students.
Within this generous community of supporters, the MPAEF Philanthropic Leadership Circle recognizes parents, business and real estate partners, and community members who go above and beyond in their giving. Extraordinary generosity from our Philanthropic Leadership Circle donors helps sustain our schools when some families are unable to contribute or give at the suggested level, ensuring every student benefits regardless of their family’s ability to donate.
Why be part of the Philanthropic Leadership Circle?
Being a part of the Philanthropic Leadership Circle helps create a lasting impact on student learning by supporting exceptional teachers and enriching programs for the MPCSD. Philanthropic Leadership Circle donors will have the opportunity to connect with others who share the commitment to strong public schools, inspire a tradition of generosity, and celebrate what our community makes possible.
Members receive special recognition in the MPAEF Annual Report and are invited to an exclusive Philanthropic Leadership Circle gathering.
Every gift throughout the year adds up!
Eligibility is based on cumulative giving over the MPAEF fiscal year (which aligns with the MPCSD school year) from July 1st to June 30th. Gifts to the One Community Campaign, corporate matches, the MPAEF Endowment for Excellence in Teaching, auction event sponsorships, Fund-a-Need, and the Schoolhouse Rocks Run family sponsorships all count towards annual giving and donor level calculations.
Philanthropic Leaders Circle donor levels:
Current MPCSD families: $10,000+ donors
Business & Real Estate Partners: $10,000+ partners
Friends of MPAEF community members: $2,500+ donors
Save the Date: Philanthropic Leadership Circle launch event
Please save the date for our MPAEF Philanthropic Leadership Circle launch event on January 27, 2027. Invitation and event details will be sent to Philanthropic Leadership Circle members in late December.
Learn more:
Please feel free to reach out with any questions. We would love to connect with you. Contact: foundationoffice@mpaef.org.
Current Philanthropic Leadership Circle Donors:
We will be adding a list of MPCSD families, business & real estate partners and Friends of MPAEF community donors who are members of the Philanthropic Leadership Circle in early January 2027.
