Start Strong with the 2026 BCE Fall Drive
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
A new school year brings new energy, new opportunities, and a new chance to invest in Burlingame students.
The start of a new school year is an exciting time for students and families. It’s a time to build new routines and relationships as students jump in to learn, grow, and discover what the year ahead has in store. At BCE, it’s also the start of our annual fundraising campaign.
The 2026 BCE Fall Drive is officially underway! After an incredible 2025, filled with community support, we’re excited to build on that momentum and make this our strongest year yet. Last year’s Fall Drive was the most successful in BCE history, raising a record $1.57 million to support Burlingame students. That remarkable response from our community helped BCE provide its largest-ever grant to the Burlingame School District. Now, starting in July, our annual campaign began again at zero.
Why Give Early?
The Fall Drive is about more than getting a head start on fundraising. Giving early helps BCE and the Burlingame School District plan ahead with greater confidence and make the best use of available resources. As donations come in throughout the fall, BCE can better understand how much funding will be available for the school year and whether additional fundraising efforts will be needed. The sooner our community comes together, the sooner we can plan for what our students and schools need.
“Back-to-school season is a time when our community is already thinking about our schools and everything we want for our children,” says BCE Executive Director Meredith Dunn. “The Fall Drive gives families a meaningful opportunity to turn that excitement into action. When people give early, they’re helping us be efficient with our funding and volunteer time.”
Every Gift Makes a Difference
California’s state funding does not cover the full cost of the education our students deserve. That’s why community support is so important to Burlingame schools. This year, BCE’s suggested gift is $2,200 per student, reflecting the rising costs of providing the programs and opportunities our community values. Families who give $5,000 or more are invited to join BCE’s Scholars Circle, a community of donors making an especially significant investment in Burlingame students.
Participation matters just as much as the size of any individual gift. Gifts of every amount count toward your school’s participation and help build BCE’s annual grant. Whether you give $50, $500, $2,200, or more, your participation sends a powerful message that our community prioritizes our schools.
45 Years of Impact
This year is particularly meaningful for BCE as we celebrate our 45th anniversary. For 45 years, Burlingame families, businesses, and community members have come together to help provide students with opportunities that might not otherwise be possible.
The Fall Drive is one of the ways that tradition continues, and there’s a little something extra to show your school pride. Families who make a Fall Drive gift will receive a limited-edition BCE lawn sign, while supplies last. Put it in your yard and let your neighbors know you’re part of the community supporting Burlingame students.
“Forty-five years of BCE is really 45 years of people choosing to invest in our schools,” says Dunn. “Every gift is part of that legacy, and every new family who participates becomes part of what makes Burlingame schools so amazing.”
Let’s Start Strong
A new school year is a new beginning. Let’s make sure we start it with the same generosity, energy, and community spirit that made last year such a success. Make a gift to the 2026 BCE Fall Drive today. Your support helps build BCE’s annual grant, strengthens your school’s participation, and invests in the students of Burlingame.
Lawn signs are available while supplies last.
