Build the Foundation campaign calls on Park City families to support schools

Park City students are at the center of PCEF’s Build the Foundation campaign, which funds programs that support creativity, innovation, and success in every classroom. Photo: Park City Education Foundation

PARK CITY, Utah — The Park City Education Foundation (PCEF) is urging families to “Build the Foundation” for student success through its annual Parent & Caregiver Appeal Campaign, running July 1 through Sept. 12.

The campaign aims to garner broad participation from parents and caregivers across the district to help fund nearly $2 million in programs that support every student, from preschool through high school.

“Participation is key,” said Jennifer Billow, PCEF vice president of advancement. “If everyone is donating what they can, then we can really fund all these programs. Even $1 counts.”

Why local giving matters

Utah’s public schools are funded through state income taxes, but Park City is one of the few districts that does not receive that money back. According to PCEF, more than $170 million of local education tax dollars are redistributed out of the district each year due to state equalization formulas that allocate funds to rural and less affluent districts.

Instead, Park City schools are primarily funded by local property taxes, which cover the district budget. A significant portion of that money is allocated to teacher salaries and benefits, as well as essential needs such as books, transportation, and preschool support.

“Every penny of that budget is committed,” Billow said. “So when a teacher wants to do something extra, or when parents assume that of course there’s art in elementary school, that’s where the Education Foundation and our donors come in.”

PCEF funds three elementary art teachers through its Elementary Visual Arts program, supports preschool at all four elementary schools, and provides grants for dozens of other programs.

Programs supported by donations

PCEF currently supports over 100 programs across the district. Highlights include:

• After-school programs: Affordable and accessible enrichment activities at Ecker Hill Middle School and elementary schools.
• Bright Futures counselor: A dedicated advisor for first-generation students at Park City High School.
• Freshman Success Seminar: A wellness-focused support program for ninth graders, led by a Multi-Tiered System of Support coordinator.
• Special education opportunities like the coffee carts: Programs that give students real-world skills through serving teachers.
• Cell phone pouch initiative: Expansion of the Yondr pouch program to Ecker Hill and the high school to align with new state requirements.
• Classroom equipment and enrichment: Pottery wheels, engineering clubs, anatomy models, and other resources requested by teachers.

Billow said the foundation tries to balance equity with opportunity: “We hope those who can give more do so, but we’re equally proud of families who can only give a dollar. What’s important is that every family participates.”

Incentives for participation

To encourage giving, PCEF has partnered with The UPS Store in Park City to award grants to schools based on their participation rates. Schools with at least 40% of families donating, or raising $40,000, receive a $2,500 grant for their PTO/A. Schools reaching 70% participation or raising $50,000 earn $5,000.

Incentives also extend to students. At the elementary level, the class with the highest participation in each grade wins a pizza party sponsored by Red Banjo. At Ecker Hill, top advisory classes earn breakfast parties.

At Park City High School, families who donate at least $25 are entered into prize drawings, including six reserved graduation seats for seniors’ families, a VIP parking spot for sophomores through seniors, and lunch delivered by Principal Caleb Fine for ninth graders.

“We live in Park City — it’s a competitive town,” Billow said. “But we’ve shifted to a spirit of abundance. Now it’s not about one school beating another; every school that hits the mark can win.”

Scholar Circle

For families able to give more, PCEF offers the Scholar Circle, starting at $1,000 a year, or $85 a month. Members are invited to special events with educators, administrators, and community leaders.

“These donors are picking up the rest of the cost so that programs remain accessible for all students,” Billow said. “It’s about ensuring that excellence in education is available to everyone.”

Ripple effect in the community

PCEF emphasizes that investing in public schools strengthens not only students but the broader community.

“Great public schools equal a great community,” Billow said. “When families know their kids can get an excellent education here, it helps our economy, it supports employers, and it makes Park City a place people want to live.”

Park City schools consistently rank among the top in Utah, with Park City High School recognized as one of the state’s highest-performing public high schools.

“About 99% of our kids attend public schools,” Billow said. “Even in a wealthy area, families choose public schools because they know their children will thrive. That’s possible because of the generosity of this community.”

Donations can be made through school registration, online at pcef4kids.org, or via the Scholar Circle.