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A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IN
ORINDA'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Orinda’s public schools are one of the community’s most important shared assets. Nearly every child in Orinda attends a local public school, and families choose this community for the quality of education these schools provide.
That excellence is not fully funded by public dollars. For decades, philanthropy has played a critical role in sustaining the programs and support that define an Orinda education. The ONE Legacy Fund was created to strengthen that support for the long term.
WHY THE ONE LEGACY FUND - AND WHY NOW
Orinda schools receive among the lowest per-student funding in California. State and federal funding have not kept pace with rising costs or evolving student needs. At the same time, annual fundraising faces increasing pressure while program and staffing costs continue to rise. Without a long-term funding source, schools remain heavily dependent on annual giving. The ONE Legacy Fund provides sustained investment income, helping stabilize funding over time and easing pressure on annual fundraising.
WHAT THE ONE LEGACY FUND SUPPORTS
Earnings from the ONE Legacy Fund strengthen the long-term stability of Orinda’s public schools and protect the elements that define a high-quality education.
ONE Legacy Fund helps to:
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Protect Core Programs: Stabilize essential programs, staffing, and student support, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty or shifts in public funding.
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Support Future Needs and Innovation: Provide flexibility to respond to evolving priorities and invest in new opportunities over time.
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Strengthen Long-Term Financial Sustainability: Reduce reliance on annual fundraising and create a secure financial foundation for all six schools.
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Maintain Flexibility: Apply investment income where it’s most needed most as priorities evolve.
HOW THE ONE LEGACY FUND WORKS
The ONE Legacy Fund is structured as a fund functioning as an endowment (FFE). Contributions are invested for long-term growth, while maintaining flexibility to respond to the districts’ changing needs. Oversight is provided by ONE’s Legacy Fund Committee, Investment Committee, and Board of Directors. Policies are reviewed annually, and investment income is allocated in alignment with ONE’s mission and priorities.
WAYS TO ENGAGE
ONE Legacy Fund commitments can be structured to fit individual philanthropic goals, including outright gifts, multi-year pledges, gifts of appreciated assets, and estate gifts. Many donors choose to support both the annual ONE Ask and the ONE Legacy Fund, sustaining today’s programs while investing in the future.
LET’S CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
The ONE Legacy Fund represents a commitment to future generations of Orinda students and the enduring strength of our public schools. To discuss a Legacy Fund gift, please contact Emily Allen, ONE Executive Director, at ONELegacyFund@oneorinda.org.