For Immediate Release

BURBANK ARTS FOR ALL FOUNDATION AND BURBANK EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION MERGE TO CREATE BURBANK ARTS & EDUCATION FOUNDATION; KICK-OFF A “BETTER TOGETHER” FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

Burbank, California – October 1, 2020 – The Boards of the Burbank Educational Foundation and the Burbank Arts for All Foundation are excited to announce they are coming together to create a singular, united voice for Burbank students and merging their organizations into the Burbank Arts & Education Foundation. The new Foundation will continue to support innovation and excellence in schools, including arts education, STEM programs, student safety and wellness, and other needs within the Burbank Unified School District (BUSD).

Like many other school districts in California, BUSD faces a significant budget crisis that will have a devastating impact on the students in our community. In order to build a more efficient, strategic vision for fundraising in the community, the two Foundations have been working for many months on a merger of the two organizations.

In making the announcement, Ana Connell and Bob Mohler, co-chairs of the newly merged Burbank Arts & Education Foundation, stated, “We want to see a strategic, cultural shift in how we support our schools by leveraging the assets of our community to fill gaps and level the playing field - supporting creativity, equity, inclusion and diversity for all BUSD students. We are confident that we can better engage and inspire the community to further invest in meeting the diverse educational needs of all BUSD students under one united front. Simply put, we believe we are better together.”

Burbank’s two educational foundations have a long history of positively impacting and providing support to BUSD students through their robust grant-giving, advocacy, programming and community engagement programs.

Burbank Education Foundation was established in 1982 to raise money for the Burbank Unified School District (BUSD). In recent years, the Foundation has provided more than $437,000 in funds to BUSD in support of STEM programs, teacher classroom grants, SAT Prep classes, and more, to benefit as many students as possible.

Burbank Arts for All Foundation was founded in 2006 to ensure that every student received a quality arts education as part of their core curriculum. To date, the Foundation has given more than $758,000 in funds to Burbank schools supporting a wide variety of visual, media, and performing art programs, artist in residency programs, arts integration programs, professional development for teachers, facility upgrades, and strategic planning for Burbank Unified School District’s Arts for All Plan.

“Burbank’s students and teachers have benefitted greatly over the years from the financial support, advocacy work and community leadership of these outstanding nonprofits. The district is thrilled that these two organizations have joined together to ensure a brighter future for our students and our city,” said Matt Hill, Superintendent of BUSD. “We look forward to the support and partnership of the Burbank Arts & Education Foundation as we tackle the challenges facing our students – together.”

Connell and Mohler added, “We would not be where we are today without the generous support of our community. We hope they will continue advocating for and investing in the next generation of thinkers, creators, and doers. We can and we must build a better future for our children – together.”

In addition to Connell and Mohler, the new Board is comprised of Carrie Brown, Brenda Etterbeek, Alexandra Helfrich, Elena Hubbell, Freddy Jarjour, Amy Kamm, Linda Matsumoto, Linda Rosen, Caroline Solberg, Art St. Germain, Jill Vander Borght, and Tom Vice. They are joined by many parents and community leaders who will serve on the following committees: Advisory, Community Outreach, Development, Finance, Governance, Grants & Giving, Investment, Marketing, and Programming. Board and community members will also serve on advisory committees for three designated funds supporting Arts, STEM and Safety & Wellness needs.

The organization is launching with a “Better Together” Fundraising Campaign, an effort to raise funds for BUSD schools and help create a better future for its students and the Burbank community. As of October 1, inaugural supporters include Angela Pupello Cistone, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., Burbank Business Partners, Nickelodeon, FotoKem, Ralph and Cathy Stevens Real Value Properties, The Helfrich Family, Matt Hill, Emily Gabel and Bill Luddy, Roberta Grande Reynolds, Bob & Chez Mohler, The St. Germain Family, The Audette Family, Carrie & W. Earl Brown, Ana & Mark Connell, The Flynn Family, Greg & Nikki Miller, Jill Vander Borght & Tom Crowther, Chris & Suzanne Weerts and more. The community is invited to join this effort by visiting www.BurbankArtsandEd.org.

Press Contact:
Suzanne Weerts
Phone: 818.388.1991
Email: suzanneweerts@sbcglobal.net