Arizona Coalition of Education Foundations
Across Arizona, public schools work tirelessly to provide every student with a quality education—but too often, they do it in isolation. The Arizona Coalition of Education Foundations (ACEF) promotes collaboration across districts, transforming how we support public education.
About the Arizona Coalition of Education Foundations
A Statewide Initiative of the Arizona Educational Foundation
The Arizona Coalition of Education Foundations (ACEF) is a statewide network of education foundations specifically established to serve Arizona public school districts. Through ACEF, school district affiliated foundations will have a network of support to share best practices, learn innovative ideas and strategies, and strengthen impact.
For Arizona districts without a supporting foundation, ACEF can help you get started!
For over four decades, the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) has been a champion of educational excellence across Arizona and a trusted partner of schools and districts statewide. The Arizona Coalition of Education Foundations (ACEF) is our latest endeavor to create an infrastructure for support and build community among public schools statewide. As an affiliate of the National Association of Education Foundations, school district foundations who choose to join the Arizona chapter immediately have access to wealth of resources to strengthen their work in local communities.
The Arizona Coalition of Education Foundations promotes collaboration across districts, amplifying funding opportunities, creating access to resources, and celebrating the incredible successes happening in classrooms every day. Especially for rural and under-resourced communities, this united effort offers a powerful path forward—one rooted in shared knowledge, increased impact, and an unwavering belief that every student in Arizona deserves the opportunity to thrive.
ACEF is presented in partnership with the Dougherty Foundation
Goals of ACEF
Why Join the Arizona Network of Public School Foundations?
The Arizona Coalition of Education Foundations (ACEF) connects and strengthens public school foundations statewide by providing access to expert guidance, peer support, and vital resources. Whether you’re building your foundation from the ground up or leading a well-established organization, ACEF is your gateway to growth, impact, and sustainability.
ACEF Member Benefits
Why You Should Join Today!
Connect with both Arizona peers and leaders from across the nation to learn best practices, innovative ideas, and strategies for strengthening your impact.
Benefit from 1:1 matching funds for scholarships provided by The Dougherty Foundation (while funds last).
Need healthcare? ACEF memberships includes the opportunity to participate in a national group rate insurance program for foundation employees.
Trained facilitators can help with creating and establishing community connections and provide training and ideas for fundraising.
Receive help with ideas for building and energizing your board or launching a strategic planning process.
Benefit from professionally designed resources to help your district with teacher recruitment and student enrollment.
Tap into real-time advice and ideas from Arizona peers.
Boost your foundation’s visibility and leadership development as part of both a statewide and national network. Take advantage of a wealth of professional development opportunities.
Stay in the know with timely updates and tools.
Guides, templates, and toolkits for fundraising, marketing, and more.
ACEF membership automatically includes membership in the National Association of Education Foundations which includes a wealth of virtual trainings, resources tailored specifically for foundations serving school districts, job-postings, and more!
With a statewide network, the collective fundraising power of Arizona’s education foundations can be exponentially increased. This would open new revenue streams and allow for increased allocation of resources to districts in need, supporting local districts across the state.
AEF is our state’s most notable champion of public education, leading Arizona’s highest recognition programs for public schools. The Arizona Network of Public School Foundation will amplify the success stories from local communities statewide around the great work happening in public education. This positive messaging greatly impacts student enrollment as well as teacher recruitment and retention.
ACEF Membership Tiers and Information
Membership is open year-round and is active for 12 months. Membership in ACEF automatically includes membership in the National Association of Education Foundations. Tiers are based on each foundation’s current and projected fiscal year budgets. For questions regarding membership tiers, please contact info@azedfoundation.org or 480-421-9376.
TIER 1: $200
Annual Foundation Budget: $50,000 or less Includes membership for up to two staff
TIER 2: $250
Annual Foundation Budget: $50,001–$75,000 Includes membership for up to two staff
TIER 3: $350
Annual Foundation Budget: $75,001–$150,000 Includes membership for up to three staff
TIER 4: $450
Annual Foundation Budget: $150,001-$250,000 Includes membership for up to three staff
TIER 5: $650
Annual Foundation Budget: $250,001–$500,000 Includes membership for up to four staff
TIER 6: $850
Annual Foundation Budget: $500,001+ Includes membership for up to four staff
Are you with a school district that is interested in STARTING A FOUNDATION? Learn more about how ACEF can help!
Upcoming ACEF Events
July 9, 2025
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Virtual