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Independent. Aligned. Impact-Driven.

The Future of Los Angeles is sitting in LAUSD classrooms today.

Let’s build the educational opportunities they need and deserve.

Los Angeles is a city of immense imagination and opportunity – a thriving hub of industry, technology, and entertainment that shapes the world.

But the incredible opportunity of LA is not evenly distributed, and the students farthest from the economic center are being left behind.

The Los Angeles Education Foundation (LAEF) exists to be the city’s central philanthropic partner in transforming public education. By investing in students, teachers, schools, and families, we seek to bring stability, innovation, and opportunity by bridging the gap between private dollars and public good.

About LAEF

What we do

  • See all funds and initiatives
  • Wildfire Relief Fund

    Wildfire Relief Fund

    Supporting students and schools most impacted by the January 2025 wildfires with mental health services, direct cash assistance, and essential school supplies.

    The Compassion Fund

    The Compassion Fund

    Meeting students’ most urgent basic needs, such as housing insecurity, trauma, and crisis—with dignity and speed.

    The Signature Fund

    The Signature Fund

    These ready-to-fund initiatives in arts, innovation and career pathways allow donors to transform the city today by equipping students with the creative, academic, and technical tools they need to thrive.

    Our Impact

    $2.5M In direct cash assistance to help families and school staff recover their homes and livelihoods post wildfires
    600+ Students who have received Compassion Fund cash assistance
    $11M Deployed to Priority Schools through the Opportunity Fund, our bold investment in teaching and targeted support
    150+ Students received scholarships for summer internships
    The Compassion Fund helped me a lot. It arrived just when I needed it, especially with everything happening right now in our community, it has been difficult to keep up with paying the bills. The Compassion Fund helped me finish the remaining balance needed for my bills and make my payments on time for the month. We are so grateful, thank you very much.

    LAUSD Parent

    Let’s prove what’s possible.

    LAEF IN THE NEWS

  • Following Warehouse Fire in Boyle Heights, LAUSD Education Foundation Launches Emergency Relief Campaign
  • Compassion Fund
  • Wildfire Fund
  • Following Warehouse Fire in Boyle Heights, LAUSD Education Foundation Launches Emergency Relief Campaign

    The Los Angeles Unified School District Education Foundation today announced that more than $100,000 in financial assistance and critical supplies will be distributed to support LAUSD families and schools affected by the warehouse fire in Boyle Heights. This investment from the Foundation’s Compassion Fund includes critical funding from the California Community Foundation and 13,000 N95 masks from Chevron. This builds on an initial $50,000 investment last week that assisted 100 families and students living within a one-mile radius of the Boyle Heights warehouse fire who were displaced or whose schools were relocated.

    Jul 30, 2026

    Dodgers, Students, and a City Rebuild Together After Wildfire
  • News Type
  • Dodgers, Students, and a City Rebuild Together After Wildfire

    The Los Angeles Dodgers and Catching Hope Foundation partner with Palisades Marquez Charter Elementary to uplift students and teachers as the campus recovers from fire damage.

    Apr 15, 2026

    Support our work

    By partnering with LAEF, you are investing in a smart strategy to develop the next generation of Los Angeles citizens and workers. Join us to advance equity, accelerate academic gains, and ensure the incredible opportunity of our city reaches the students who need it most.