Instagram Facebook-f
donate now
What We Do

Enhancing teaching and learning in Mesa Public Schools

As the largest school district in Arizona, Mesa Public Schools (MPS) has a profound impact on the students, families, and communities we serve. At the Mesa Public Schools Foundation (MPSF), our mission is to support and amplify this impact by providing essential resources that enhance educational opportunities and empower both students and educators. Established in 1985 by Dr. James Zaharis, MPSF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the well-being and academic success of children within the Mesa Public Schools district.

Donate now

We are committed to fostering learning environments that nurture creativity, innovation, and student growth.

Through strategic funding and partnerships, MPSF strengthens educational programs, supports classroom innovation, and ensures that every student has the tools they need to succeed. Our success is reflected not only in the number of lives we touch, but in the quality and sustainability of the programs we help support. We rely on the generosity of donors, the dedication of volunteers, and the hard work of our staff to fuel initiatives that make a real difference in the community. 

0

Schools

0 K+

Students

0 K+

In Grants Allocated

Supporting Educational Excellence
DONATE
Learn About

Initiatives We Support

Educator Grants

MPS educators are invited to submit proposals to fund creative and impactful projects that enhance student learning and achievement across all grade levels and subjects. These grants help bring fresh ideas to the classroom, benefiting both educators and students.

Critical Resources Fund

Many students face barriers that can affect their academic performance and well-being. Through this fund, we help provide clothing, eye exams, new eyeglasses, and more to ensure that every child is set up for success. Health assistants work closely with MPSF to assess and address these needs.

solidarity.png
Workforce Development

MPSF supports high school interns by providing the essential materials they need to succeed in their workforce training, including steel-toe boots and appropriate clothing. In addition, we help ease the financial burden of commuting to internships by offering gas cards, enabling students to gain valuable work experience without added financial stress.

Love of Reading
Literacy Champions

MPSF views reading as a crucial form of currency that empowers students for lifelong success. We are dedicated to promoting literacy within schools and the community, providing resources to help students develop strong reading skills. We distributed books to encourage continued reading during the summer break, and in December, we partnered with the Mesa Family Resource Center to donate books through the "Give the Gift of Reading" campaign.

Other Ways To Get Involved

General Funding

Your generous tax-deductible donation can go directly toward supporting specific programs or initiatives of your choice, or be designated as undesignated funds to be allocated at the discretion of the MPSF Board of Directors. Your contribution helps create a stronger educational experience for all students in Mesa Public Schools. In addition to funding the initiatives above, your general donations may go to things like:

  • Classroom Resources
  • District Wide Staff Appreciation
  • STEM/STEAM Advancement
  • Art, Music, and Extracurricular Programs
  • Teacher Training


Thank you for your continued support in enhancing teaching, learning, and the future of our community. Together, we can ensure every child in Mesa has the opportunity to thrive.

Donate Now

To donate by check, please mail your check to Mesa Public Schools Foundation, 63 E. Main St., Mesa, AZ 85201

*To receive an Arizona state tax credit, a donation must be made directly to Mesa Public Schools 480-472-0133.

What People Say

Our Impact In The Community

"Thank you for supporting Mesa's Grow Your Own Teachers program. It's an excellent transition from the high school classroom into a program that helps students who are interested in education as a career. Mesa Foundation is playing an integral role in the success we're seeing. Because of your generous contribution, our teacher candidates are realizing their academic and career aspirations."
"Thank you for being part of our school family. We will never be able to express in words how grateful we are. With so many projects happening at Taft, we realize we could not begin to accomplish so much without your funding for the new science activities."
"Thank you for funding our Signing Time videos. We have learned many signs so that we can communicate with all of our friends."
"Thank you for your generous donation of computer equipment. It has made a world of difference in our lab."
"Thank you for helping us educate our youth with classical literature."
"Thank you for the $1,000 grant to buy a projector for our presentations."
"Thank you for Eddie's shoes. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. And Eddie thanks you from the bottom of his feet."
support4

Non-Discrimination Statement – Mesa Public Schools Foundation

Each event, program and endeavor operated, administered, or assisted by or through the Foundation, including without limitation all support services, financial and otherwise, shall make available to beneficiaries of any race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, sexual identity, gender, gender identity, marital status, age and religion all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available.

No such event, program or endeavor shall discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, sexual identity, gender, gender identity, marital status, age and religion, in the administration of its benefits, policies and procedures.