Annual Fund
Our annual fund is our primary source of support. Tuition covers most of our costs, but the Annual Fund bridges the gap. These unrestricted gifts provide vital flexibility - supporting faculty, tuition assistance, and program excellence. Every gift, big or small, is an investment in our students, teachers, and community.
Program Sponsorship
Support the enrichment classes that make our school unique - arts, language, movement, and more. In addition to our enrichment classes, our Student Advanced Support program (SAS) provides over 2,300 hours of individualized support each year, including tutoring and on-campus psychological services, ensuring high-needs students thrive academically and socially. Program sponsorships directly fund faculty, resources, and student success.
Angel Program
A transformative sponsorship initiative giving children the life-changing opportunity of a private school education from Kindergarten through Fifth Grade.
How It Works:
-
Six-year commitment: A sponsor’s pledge covers the full cost of tuition for one child across six years, from Blue Door through Purple Door graduation.
-
Your support: Opens the door to high-quality education, a supportive learning environment, and enriching opportunities that may otherwise be out of reach.
Estate Planning
A lasting gift through your estate helps secure the school’s financial foundation for generations. Endowment funds provide long-term stability, support financial aid, and empower the school to grow, innovate, and respond to unforeseen challenges. By including the school in your estate plans, you leave a meaningful legacy that directly benefits students, faculty, and the broader community.
Grants and Donor-Advised Funds
Grants and donor-advised funds sustain programming and long-term financial health. A donor-advised fund is a charitable giving account that allows donors to recommend grants to the school over time. Community-wide support, including Annual Fund participation, helps us secure these critical resources. Offsetting the cost of grant writing amplifies the impact of every award.
Bounty of the Valley
Our signature fundraising event celebrates community and generosity. Featuring a live and silent auction, live entertainment, inspiring stories, and a paddle raise, Bounty supports essential programs and reflects the pride and commitment of our school. Join us for Bounty of the Valley in Fall 2026.
YOUR GENEROSITY IS OUR FUTURE
The Santa Ynez Valley Family School (SYVFS) was established in 1974 by a group of dedicated families who valued high academic standards combined with experiential learning. Still today, fifty years later, our program emphasizes nature-based learning, holistic education, personal and interpersonal development, intellectual engagement, and important life skills.
We nurture the individual student to engage in their community and their learning journey. Accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools, SYVFS has educated over 3,500 students and welcomed 2,500 families over five decades. As an Independent School, we design educational systems free from federal, state, and district mandates, valuing individual and interactive learning over standardized memorization and testing. Our nationally recognized curricula feature art, music, theater, Spanish, and Samala languages, and there is variety in the curriculum, including outdoor and environmental education, social-emotional learning (SEL), and flexible and customized learning.
Due to the school's independent nature and our commitment to keeping tuition affordable for all socio-economic realities, we rely on additional funding to support the operating budget and continued advancement needs.