Stanford’s National Student Support Accelerator (NSSA) defines high-impact tutoring by consistent, in-person tutoring at least three times per week for 10+ weeks, delivered by trained tutors using high-quality, science-of-reading-backed materials that reinforce classroom instruction. When implemented appropriately, high-impact tutoring repeatedly has proven to be the most effective school-based strategy for accelerating learning. The results are compelling: Studies show that tutoring can increase student achievement by the equivalent of three to 15 months of learning.
The SF Ed Fund works with Stanford’s National Student Support Accelerator and schools to vet providers, then with schools to qualify and select student participants, and finally with schools and providers on implementation and evaluation. This model is unique to the SF Ed Fund, and is school-centered to ensure a continuous cycle of feedback and improvements. The SF Ed Fund currently provides high-impact literacy tutoring in 22 Priority Schools.
If you are a Priority School educator or site leader in need of high-impact literacy tutoring, please reach out to Tutoring Associate Manager Manuella Heinen at mheinen@sfedfund.org for more information.
The San Francisco Education Fund recruits, trains and places volunteers to work in all grade levels, subjects and San Francisco public schools. Any SFUSD staff person (meaning you must have an SFUSD email address) is invited to request a volunteer*.
Volunteers can tutor K-12 students one-on-one or in small groups to build math, reading, science or other academic skills. Volunteers can also lead Mindfulness lessons, become a student’s mentor, help with classroom organization and other projects, provide homework help during afterschool programs or work with students on extracurricular activities, such as music and art.
If you know someone who is interested in volunteering, the SF Ed Fund can help individuals fulfill SFUSD's clearance requirements so they can start volunteering in your classroom.
The Educator Impact Grant (formerly known as the Create Joy Grant) empowers teachers and school staff to design and lead innovative projects that make a meaningful difference in their school communities. Grants should aim to improve student attendance, strengthen student sense of belonging, and/or support teacher retention – fostering vibrant, supportive learning environments for everyone to succeed.
Educators can apply for up to $5,000 for an individual or one class project or up to $10,000 for a team or school-wide project.
“We were delighted to see a 30% increase in honor roll following the announcement of our special field trip for honor roll students!”
— Pamela Stein
Grant Recipient & Counselor at Paul Revere
Through conversations with leaders at SFUSD’s highest-need schools, the SF Ed Fund identified urgent needs amid the district’s budget crisis. Top priorities include strengthening student belonging, improving academic outcomes, and addressing staffing challenges. Read the full report here.
In response, for the 2025-26 school year, Educator Impact Grants have been awarded to projects that:
The SF Ed Fund has awarded $200,000 in Educator Impact Grants for the 2025-26 school year. Read about the projects here. Applications for the 2026-27 school year will open in October 2026.
If you have any questions, please contact Sara Geliebter at sgeliebter@sfedfund.org.
Room to Be Well Stipends are available to educators at select schools thanks to the SF Ed Fund’s fiscal sponsorship of the Room to Breathe (R2B) Project. In the 2025-26 academic year, the project is providing 874 educators across 16 schools with $550 in mental well-being stipends ($275 per semester) – a 22% increase in the number of educators served compared to last year.
This stipend empowers educators to invest in their personal well-being so they can bring more calm, energy, and joy to the classroom. Now in its sixth year, the program emphasizes building sustainable, habit-forming practices that support long-term wellness. Past recipients have used their stipends for activities like weekly yoga, acupuncture, art classes, or guitar lessons – practices that not only nourish their own health but also model well-being for their students.
For more information about Room to Be Well Stipends, please email hello@r2bproject.com.
The Awesome Fund Grant provides financial support for student-led projects at eligible priority high schools that help enhance the school community, keep students involved in school, and/or provide students with more joyful experiential learning opportunities.
Students can apply for a grant ranging from $100 to $1,000. Examples of past projects include providing support to K-Pop and La Raza dance clubs and a school gardening club.
Through conversations with leaders at SFUSD’s highest-need schools, the SF Ed Fund identified urgent needs and found top priorities to be strengthening student belonging and improving academic outcomes. In response, for the 2025-26 school year, we’re focusing the Awesome Fund Grant on supporting opportunities that:
We awarded nearly $10,000 to 10 student clubs in the 2025-26 school year. Read about the funded projects here.
