Kiddo! FAQ

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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 K-8 public schools. Kiddo!’s mission is focused on preserving arts education programming in Mill Valley schools. In collaboration with the school district, Kiddo! also supports other vital programs that benefit all students, including innovative teaching programs.

94% of Kiddo!'s program expenses pay for teachers' salaries and benefits. Kiddo! provides the funds required for these district needs:

• Art teachers and materials (grades TK-8)
• Vocal Music teachers and supplies (grades TK-8)
• Instrumental Music teachers, specialists and supplies (grades 4-8)
• Dance specialists (grades TK, K, 4 & 5)
• Curriculum-integrated Drama Programs (grades 2 & 4-8)
• Poetry specialists (grades 1 & 3-6)
• Teacher Grants for innovative teaching programs (all schools)
• Robotics (MVMS)
• Scientific Drawing (all 7th graders)
• Math "Design a House Project" (all 6th graders)

Kiddo! makes an annual commitment to the Mill Valley School District to fund these essential programs and services. Kiddo! asks district families to contribute each year to Kiddo!’s Annual Campaign to raise funds to meet these commitments. To fund all existing Kiddo! programs in the current school year, the request per student is $1,450. Please give as generously as you can. Every amount helps! Our goal is to have 100% family participation and we appreciate donations of all sizes. In recent years, donations have ranged in size from $25 to $50,000.

In addition to your annual donation, there are a number of other ways to help support Kiddo!:

• Earn money for Kiddo! while you shop. Some merchants will automatically donate to Kiddo! while you shop. Learn what merchants to visit and how to sign up for shopping rebate programs.

• Volunteer to join the Kiddo! Spring Gala Committee. The Kiddo! Spring Gala is held every other year. Next one is 3/4/22. Note: Some of the proceeds from the Gala benefit the Kiddo! Endowment for the Arts, but may be used to fund teachers and programs if Annual Campaign goals are not met in a given year. Email us at info@kiddo.org to learn more.

• Volunteer for some of our other events. Kiddo! relies on many volunteers for our success. Make new friends and have fun while doing something vitally important for our schools! Learn about opportunities.

The District, PTAs, and Kiddo! work together to help deliver an exemplary education at every school.

Each school's Parent Teacher Association (PTA) raises money for school-specific enhancements to enrich students educational experience, parent education, and parent community events at that school.

Kiddo! helps the district by providing the funding for arts education and academic programs equitably across the District. The funding that Kiddo! provides is primarily used by the district to pay the salaries of its teachers and specialists for district-wide programs, including art, music, curriculum-integrated drama, dance, and poetry. Kiddo! also funds innovative teacher grants throughout the district every year.

Please support both organizations, as both provide vital programs and services at your school.

The Mill Valley School Board and District administration determine the curriculum for the District, establish priorities for program development, and identify crucial District needs. Kiddo! then collaborates with the District to provide funding where needed to execute the Board-approved plan. All programs and services funded by Kiddo! are developed and managed by the District, and all teachers and staff are employees or contractors of the District. Click here to learn more about the Mill Valley School District.