KIDDO! OVERVIEW
Kiddo! provides funding for music, art, dance, drama, and poetry for children in the Mill Valley School District.

WHAT IS KIDDO!?

Kiddo! is the primary fundraising organization for the Mill Valley School District. Founded in 1982 as the Mill Valley Schools Community Foundation, Kiddo! is an independent, non-profit, public-benefit corporation that has raised more than $50 million for Mill Valley’s six TK-8 public schools.

Kiddo!’s mission is focused on ensuring a well-rounded education for our students by funding arts education in all Mill Valley schools, in partnership with the school district. Without Kiddo! funding, our students would not have regular arts education. Kiddo! also supports other vital programs that benefit all students, including innovative teaching programs.

OUR VISION, MISSION & PURPOSE

VISION
Our children are a community treasure.  Our vision is to inspire children to reach their full potential by funding arts education and other vital programs.

MISSION
Kiddo! supports quality educational programs in the arts and other areas for all children in partnership with the Mill Valley School District.  As concerned citizens, committed parents and advocates for educational excellence, we raise funds, gather resources and act as a catalyst to involve the community in supporting public education.  We celebrate the importance, value and achievement of our students, teachers and schools.

PURPOSE
Kiddo!’s core purpose is to provide funding for comprehensive arts programs in vocal and instrumental music, visual art, dance, drama and poetry for children in the Mill Valley School District.  In collaboration with the school district, Kiddo! also supports other vital programs that benefit the needs of all students. Kiddo! serves as the Mill Valley School District’s primary nonprofit fundraising organization, is accountable to donors, and adheres to the core values of equity, responsibility and quality as the guiding criteria for all recommendations, decisions and policies. Learn more about how to donate to Kiddo!.

KIDDO! FINANCES
WHERE THEY COME FROM AND WHERE THEY GO

In the 1970s, changes in California property tax laws cut deeply into public school funding, decreasing funding for arts education and other programs. Unfortunately, the budget situation is not much better today. If not for the generous private contributions of our families and community, Mill Valley School District students would not receive a well-rounded education, which includes quality programs in music, art, poetry, drama, and dance.

REVENUE
Kiddo!’s Annual Giving Campaign, which kicks off each August, funds programs for the current school year, and generates the vast majority of the revenues needed to fund Kiddo! programs. Currently, 80% of Kiddo!'s annual revenue is donated by generous Mill Valley School District families, including matching gifts from their employers. Grandparents and community members also contribute to this campaign.

Annual events, such as the Kiddo! Memorial Day Carnival, the Mill Valley Classic Golf Tournament, in partnership with the Tam High Foundation, and other events bring families together and raise money to fund annual programming.

Our Business Partnership Program generates another 6% of Kiddo! revenue through the support of the local community and parent-owned businesses.

Kiddo!’s Endowment Fund distribution represents approximately 10% of Kiddo!'s annual revenue. Revenue from the bi-annual Kiddo! Gala, as well as annual contributions from alumni families, help fund the Kiddo! Endowment.

EXPENSES
Thanks to our Kiddo! Board of Directors of more than 25 volunteer parents and countless other volunteers, Kiddo! is able to allocate close to 90% of annual income to programs and teachers.

Because of our organizational integrity, financial accountability and transparency, Kiddo! has earned 4 out of 4 stars from Charity Navigator, as well as Platinum status on GuideStar.