MBEF aims to ensure great public schools forever in Manhattan Beach through annual fundraising and endowed giving that supports annual grants for teachers and other educators.

MBEF's board of directors partners with parents, PTA, school district administrators and school board, as well as teachers, to determine educational priorities. To fund the priorities, MBEF uses a formidable Annual Appeal to parents and local businesses to raise over $6 million annually. It's subsidiary, the MBEF Endowment Fund, raises endowed funds to supplement annual revenue. For over ten years, MBEF has fine-tuned a successful fundraising model in which parents give to the Foundation to pay for teacher salaries at their child's school and to PTAs to pay for things at the school. MBEF makes equal grants at each school such that there is parity in educational programs at everyschool. For example, if one school has music, every school has music. This parity promotes equality and encourages giving to the Foundation as no school can fund an educational program independently.

Our organization is capable of reaching nearly 90% participation in its fundraising at elementary levels. This dedicated giving allows us to provide annual grants that have increased every year since inception. We utilize dozens of volunteers which helps the foundation keep overhead very low.

MBEF looks to results on California's Academic Performance Index to determine if the programs its grants funds are improving student performance. MBUSD's ranking among K-12 school districts has risen over the years; the district is now a top-three unified district. Notably, the higher ranked districts have more funding than Manhattan Beach schools. In addition, we find indications of success and progress in the awards and accolades our students and student groups receive. Our high school music programs regularly receive statewide commendations. A very high percentage of our high school seniors graduate and go on to two- and four-year colleges and universities. Our communities real estate values are quite high because of the quality public schools. Forbes named Manhattan Beach schools the best for your housing dollar among affluent communities.

MBEF seeks to provide stable revenue that will shelter students from an inherently unstable public funding system in California. During the great recession, it saved many programs and teachers from being cut. Yet, the state's per-pupil funding is among the lowest in the nation. And our district's funding is far below that figure as well. Ultimately, the Foundation would like to provide enough funding to make our public school great now and forever.