OPEF leads several key initiatives to advance educational equity. Oakland School Volunteers trains and places thousands of volunteers in public schools to support teachers with classroom management, improve students’ academic outcomes, build bonds with students as trusted mentors, and increase engagement between public schools and the surrounding community. The A to Z Fund awards educator-led grants for enrichment activities, field trips, and professional development – all of which have incredible value for students, yet are consistently underfunded. Since its launch in 2016, the A to Z Fund has awarded and managed over $1.2 million in grant funding to classroom projects in subject areas including STEM, Arts Education, Health & Wellness, and Literacy, as well as educator Professional Development grants that equip teachers with new skills to better serve their students. Other programs such as TechLink and ConstructionLink provide hands-on career learning pathways for high school students interested in technology, engineering, architecture, and construction fields. The Oakland School Emergency Fund provides rapid-response resources to schools and families in crisis, working with school site leadership and educators to identify and address urgent needs, and The New Teacher Supply Fund ensures first-time OUSD educators receive essential classroom materials that help create a welcoming, well-stocked learning environment for students.

Lastly, in October 2024 we launched our latest initiative, Oakland Grown – a community-focused student performing and visual arts program in partnership with OUSD’s Visual and Performing Arts department (VAPA). Oakland Grown serves as a culminating event for VAPA’s TK-12 arts curriculum, as OUSD arts educators district-wide work with their students throughout the school year to rehearse, cultivate, and refine performances that will be showcased at Oakland Grown.