Pasadena Educational Foundation Receives Endowment of $500,000

The generous gift was given by Keith and Margaret Russell. – Courtesy photo / PEF

The Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF) received a $500,000 endowment gift from Keith and Margaret Russell to support PEF’s work supporting the students, teachers, and schools of the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD). This gift is the largest endowment gift in PEF’s history and will be given out over a 10-year period.

“We have always been tremendously impressed by the Pasadena Educational Foundation’s enthusiasm, professionalism, and impact on our community,” said Keith Russell. The Russells were inspired to give to PEF in part by their personal experience working in developing their “Making Teachers Smile” program that granted wish experiences to PUSD teachers. “PEF was critical to getting our program up and running,” added Mr. Russell. The endowment gift is part of Countrywide Bank’s Directors Charitable Giving program. Mr. Russell served for eight years on the Board of Directors of Countrywide, which is now part of Bank of America.

“As PEF approaches our 50th year of supporting our PUSD schools, this generous gift will help ensure our ability to continue to provide essential resources and enrichment opportunities to every student, at every school, every day,” said PEF Executive Director Patrick Conyers. “We are tremendously grateful to Keith and Margaret for their commitment to PEF and our community.”
The Russells’ generosity allows PEF to continue their mission to support, enhance, and supplement the programs, initiatives, and priorities of the PUSD.

Read more about the Keith and Margaret’s story and the “Making Teachers Smile” program at pasedfoundation.org.

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