Who We Are
Welcome Message from
Board Chairperson Dinah Copple
I am honored to serve as Chair of the Education Foundation of Stanislaus County and want to thank you for your interest in our work. Thanks to the generosity of this community, the Foundation has invested more than $2.3 million over the past twenty-three years in programs that support students across public, private, charter, and home school settings throughout our county.
If you have attended or participated in student events as a parent, judge, mentor, or student, you have likely seen the impact firsthand. These experiences do more than showcase talent; they build confidence, expand opportunities, and stay with students long after the event ends.
We consistently hear from parents about the role Stanislaus County Office of Education programs play in shaping their children’s growth and aspirations. Having grown up in Stanislaus County and attended school here, I have seen how these programs contribute to the fabric of our community. Their impact shows up in the opportunities they create for students, the confidence they build, and the ways they strengthen our community as a whole.
Each year, audiences are inspired by the professionalism and creativity of the Youth Entertainment Stage (YES) Company. Our partnership with the Gallo Center for the Arts continues to elevate this program and provides students with an exceptional, real-world performing arts experience.
The Foundation also supports a wide range of student events throughout the year, engaging thousands of students from fourth through twelfth grade. Through academic competitions like Mock Trial and Academic Decathlon, students have the opportunity to apply what they have learned, challenge themselves, and grow in real-world settings.
For more than 60 years, sixth grade science camp has been a cornerstone experience for generations of students and families. It remains a powerful opportunity for hands-on learning, exploration, and connection to the natural environments that make our region unique.
In 2024, the Foundation expanded its impact by supporting The Imagination Library of Stanislaus County, helping foster early literacy by providing more than 6,000 children ages 0 to 5 with free books delivered directly to their homes. With this addition, the Foundation now supports students from birth through twelfth grade.
At a time when access to enriching educational experiences is increasingly important, these programs play a critical role. Students who are engaged beyond the classroom are more likely to graduate, contribute to their communities, and see broader possibilities for their futures.
As a current or prospective donor, your support is essential to sustaining and growing this work. We are grateful for your partnership and for your investment in the students of Stanislaus County and the future of our community.
