LCFEF Special Holiday Office Hours
Monday 12/22 - 9 am -2 pm
Tuesday 12/23- 9 am-2 pm
Closed -12/24/24 thru 1/1/25
Friday 1/2/2026 - 9 am -2 pm
Announcements & Upcoming
Get Ready for Gala 2026
On March 14, 2026, the La Canada Flintridge Educational Foundation ("LCFEF") will hold its 33rd Annual Spring "Galactic" Gala at Taglyan Complex, Los Angeles.
The LCFEF Annual Gala is the largest fundraiser of the year for our public schools.
Ticket sales will begin in January 2026 (ballroom capacity will be approximately 400). To ensure your seat at the event, underwriting packages are now available HERE.
In addition, as you are holiday shopping, please consider donating something to our silent auction by filling out this form and emailing it to us at gifts@lcfef.org, or simply click on the Amazon link. However, please let gifts@lcfef.org know what you are sending to the office.
We are looking forward to spending an out-of-this-world night with you at the Galactic Gala!
2026 Gala Committee Members
Erin Ruffalo-Chairperson, Ashley Grace, Priyanka Gupta, Seun Han, Chris Harwood, Brooke Horne, Janny Kim, Christopher Lastrapes , Annelise Li, John Logan, Kelly Morris, Hilary Petrizzo, Jessica Pokaski, and Corrie Tanous
Funding Our Schools Is A Necessity This Year
December 2025
Dear LCUSD Families and Community Members,
As we close out the year, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the LCFEF Volunteer Board of Directors and our dedicated Foundation staff. The holidays offer an opportunity to reflect on what unites us: our families, our community, and our shared commitment to exceptional public education.
Because of your support, LCFEF funds programs that directly shape students’ daily experience, including:
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Smaller class sizes in our elementary schools
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Art, music, and physical education “specials”
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Wellness Centers at every school site
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The LCHS College & Career Counseling Center
These essential programs—and the educators and counselors who deliver them—exist because our community steps in where state funding falls short.
As many of you heard earlier this year, LCUSD receives an average of $10,700 per student from the state but spends about $16,400 per student to maintain our high standards. Without increased community support, the district will face difficult decisions in the years ahead, including larger class sizes and reductions in programs that benefit all students.
Despite this funding gap, LCUSD continues to excel. This year, Niche ranked our district #1 in California and the Los Angeles area, and #7 in the entire United States. These recognitions are a testament to the combined efforts of our educators, staff, families, and, most importantly, our students.
High-performing schools are a cornerstone of La Cañada’s identity and directly contribute to the strong property values our community is known for. Families move here—and stay here—because of LCUSD’s exceptional reputation. Sustaining that excellence benefits every household in La Cañada, whether or not you currently have children in our schools.
As 2025 draws to a close, we invite every family to help us reach our $2.5 million goal. Whether through a year-end gift, employer matching, or stock donations, your support protects the programs that make LCUSD one of the best school districts in the nation.
Every gift—large or small—matters. When our community gives together, our children thrive together.
Warmest wishes for a joyful holiday season, and thank you for your ongoing commitment to LCUSD.
With gratitude,
Ian Holloway
'25-26 President, La Cañada Flintridge Educational Foundation
ABOUT THE ENDOWMENT
The LCFEF Endowment Fund helps keep the schools financially secure during times of financial difficulty.
In 1992, the Foundation formed an Endowment Fund to serve as a permanent source of funding for the programs that the Foundation supports. The Endowment Fund was one of the first private endowment funds formed in the United States to support public K-12 education. Through ongoing generous contributions and prudent management, the Endowment Fund’s assets have grown to over $11.0 million. Since inception, the Endowment Fund has contributed over $4.0 million to the annual operating budget of our schools.
Whether or not our children attend La Cañada public schools, we appreciate that our schools are what draw people to our city and what makes La Cañada Flintridge such a unique family-friendly community. The long-term health of our school district is critical to the quality of our community.
Our Business Partners in Excellence Sponsors!
Support Our Local Businesses
Nurturing local businesses is essential for the success and sustainability of our schools and community. When you choose to buy goods or services from nearby establishments, you not only help to create job opportunities and strengthen the local economy, but also foster a sense of solidarity and connectedness within the community.
Your support for these businesses plays a vital role in the growth and vibrancy of our neighborhoods.
Please check out our list of businesses that actively support our schools and community, and join us in reciprocating their support by patronizing them.