Milestones through the Years

City of Irvine partner Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF) is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2016. For information and to donate, go to: ipsf.net. Here are highlights through the years:

  • 1996: Irvine Public Schools Foundation is formed when three organizations (Irvine Education Foundation or IEF, District Advisory Forum or DAF and Foundations for the Future) merge.  Keith Greer becomes first President and volunteer Executive Director.
  • 1997: Afterschool Classroom Enrichment (ACE) Program offers its first classes.
  • 1999: Greg Bradbard hired as Executive Director.
  • 2002: IPSF’s Board of Trustees hires the organization’s first Chief Executive Officer.
  • 2002-03: IPSF Committee structure is established, Master Agreement is signed by IPSF and Irvine Unified School District (IUSD).
  • 2003: The Elementary Class Size Reduction program is threatened by reduced state funding, and IPSF begins campaign to raise $300,000 in three months.
  • 2004: IPSF launches its first Home Raffle, one of the first in the country.
  • 2004: IPSF launches the Legacy Partner program.
  • 2006: The Program to Advance Cultural Education (PACE) is started.
  • 2009: Neda Eaton hired as President and CEO.
  • 2009: IPSF hosts the Honors Concert at Segerstrom Center for the Arts (1st school district in that venue).
  • 2010: IPSF holds its first Annual Spirit of Excellence Gala honoring distinguished IUSD alumni. Gala has become IPSF’s most successful fundraising event, raising nearly $500,000 in annual net revenue.
  • 2010: Hoag Hospital partners with IPSF and begins matching donations to fund school nurses and Health and Wellness initiatives.
  • 2010: Citizens of Irvine vote overwhelmingly for Measure R, which provides $1 million per year in matching funds for Irvine schools for 3 years.
  • 2011: IPSF Summer Enrichment Academy begins allowing enrollment of students from any school district.
  • 2011: IPSF begins funding primary music (K-3), kicking off the campaign with a benefit concert with hometown band Young the Giant.
  • 2012: Citizens of Irvine approve Measure BB, which increases and extends the matching funds for Irvine schools.
  • 2013-14: IPSF surpasses $50 million in donations and programs provided to IUSD.
  • 2014: IPSF introduces its annual list of Top 100 Businesses Supporting World Class Education.
  • 2014: IPSF launches the President's Circle program that recognizes significant individual donors.
  • 2015: The Innovative Teaching Awards Program reaches a $1 million awarded since 1996 and begins awarding MEGA Grants up to $25,000 to individual schools.
  • 2015: The first annual STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) Carnival is held.
  • 2016: IPSF signs on as a founding partner of the Irvine CubeSat STEM Program.
  • 2015: IPSF Summer Enrichment Academy serves nearly 7,000 students.
  • 2016: IPSF celebrates its 20th Anniversary and milestone of donating more than $62 million in grants, donations and programs to Irvine Unified School District.