The painting of the portraits was my favorite part of this process because it was a challenge that I felt successful in, and I got to spend time staring into my mother’s eyes and reflect on what I had learned about her.
It was extraordinary to teach 60+ students foundational animation techniques….students seemed to glow with professionalism…(they) were able to successfully engage with the assignments, work in teams, and create solely from their imaginations new worlds, characters, and stories.
Students I thought would never step up, stepped up. The student who argued with me every day, and who is grieving the death of a sibling, ended up stage-managing her scene-mates. The student who had cut my class for most of the first marking period, came to class for every rehearsal. The student who lost his script three times had his lines mostly memorized…and on and on…
When I did the play, I felt so happy sharing my family’s history to other people that came.
The students gained confidence in their abilities. They grew creatively and as a class. They feel amazed and proud of what they accomplished!
Why we need your help
Research shows that students who have access to arts education tend to be better at core subjects, have a lower drop-out rate, and are more civically engaged. (National Endowment for the Arts/Department of Education)
Our 501(c)(3) organization has reached more than 20,000 students in 80 under-resourced schools since 1996, but we depend on private donations to fund our programs. There are many ways to give, and no donation is too small. All gifts are tax-deductible.
If you have any questions about giving financially, please contact our Executive Director by emailing info@artsforoaklandkids or by leaving a message at (510)488-3036.
You can give a on-time, recurring monthly or annual gift. You may also donate to a particular program if you so choose. You may either mail a check or give online.
Mail Your Donation to:
Arts for Oakland Kids
3871 Piedmont Avenue #11
Oakland, CA 94611
Stocks are an easy way to give generously. When you donate stock to charity, you’ll generally take a tax deduction for the full fair market value.
If you would like to make a memorial or honorary gift, please contact our executive director. We will contact your honoree or their loved one of the gift and provide recognition on our website.
Your estate gift can ensure that Oakland kids will have arts education for many years to come. Ask our executive director about making an estate or endowment gift. You can establish a named endowment that may be earmarked for specific purposes with as little as $25,000.
We have numerous financial and in-kind sponsorship opportunities throughout the year. We have our annual benefit breakfast and other functions such as Crab Fest, local and regional art tours, art classes, concerts, wine tastings, and special dinners.
We welcome businesses and restaurants that donate talent, locations, supplies, transportation, food and drink for these events. Your logo will be displayed on our web site that can link back to your own web page.
Whether you have 1 or 100 items to contribute, your participation is a valuable part of our fundraising efforts. By donating an item or service for our annual auction, you’ll help us raise money through our online auction and other special events for arts education in Oakland. You’ll receive a mention on our site that can link back to your own web page.
Businesses often contribute gift certificates or gift cards, or store items such as gift baskets; wine; concert venues, event tickets; and trips. Individuals also donate items as well as the use of their vacation homes. We also have donors who volunteer to host special dinners as auction items.
Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Arts for Oakland Kids whenever you shop at smile.amazon.com and choose Arts for Oakland Kids as your non-profit. smile.amazon.com
Register your grocery club cards and existing credit/debit cards at escrip.com and a percentage of all purchases made at eScrip merchants will be given back to Arts for Oakland Kids. www.escrip.com
We have so many opportunities for you to volunteer. We need help at our fundraising or community events; stuffing envelopes; and/or running errands. Volunteers also host themed dinners at their homes for 15-20 people. If nothing else, join us on a site visit! Nothing will inspire you more than seeing our programs in action. Give as much or as little time as you can.
Where your donations go
Customized Study Guide for a ten-week course
Fabric for 40 kids to create Afro-Brazilian dance costumes
One new unicycle for students in Prescott Circus program
Intensive art training for 15 students with professional artist
Scholarships for two students to attend summer art camp
Cost to present two community shows at performing arts theater