We believe families make San Francisco stronger and more vibrant.
MISSION
We are committed to helping create a stronger, more vibrant San Francisco by ensuring that Potrero families from a diversity of income levels stay and raise their children here.
THEORY OF CHANGE
Potrero families are less likely to flee San Francisco if they have attractive and affordable education options, a strong connection to a community of friends and neighbors, and their interests are met by local government.
OUR WORK
We operate a local preschool and support neighborhood elementary schools. We bring families together with their neighbors for community events and programs. We advocate on behalf of families with SFUSD and other city agencies.
IMPACT
We are helping increase:
-Demand for neighborhood schools.
-The number of local families that stay through the middle and high school years.
-The number of local families reporting they feel part of a larger community.
PREFund got its start in 2005 when three of five Potrero public schools were slated for closure or merger. A group of parents and neighbors rallied and created an intense, six-week grassroots campaign to overturn the closure recommendations from the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) and its Board of Education (BOE). Over 600 signatures were gathered in support of keeping Daniel Webster Elementary School (DW) open and the BOE was presented with a multi-part plan to increase the school’s enrollment.
In May 2006, eight of the parents and neighbors in that initial group created PREFund, an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the mission of supporting education and building community in Potrero. The first initiative was to honor the pledge to the BOE to raise enrollment at Daniel Webster.
Part of that plan was to create a preschool on the DW campus with the belief that a welcoming, high-quality, neighborhood preschool would help funnel more local families to the adjacent elementary school. Potrero Kids at Daniel Webster (PKDW) opened in September of 2008 and offered a Spanish bilingual pre-kindergarten program to its initial class of 32 children.
With more applicants than seats available, PREFund seized an opportunity to expand and opened a second campus, named Potrero Kids Third (PK3), in October, 2012 in Dogpatch. Across both campuses, Potrero Kids now serves roughly 100 children, ages 2 and up, with roughly 25% receiving some sort of tuition assistance.
The plan worked. Daniel Webster is now thriving, as is Potrero Kids. Both are sources of neighborhood pride and cornerstones of the community.
PREFund is now expanding its efforts beyond the DW and PKDW communities to include education, advocacy, and community-building initiatives that impact all families in Potrero.
2006
Formalized as 501(c)3
2016
Form Middle School and School Integration Coalition
Our Board
Current
Becky Barton is the founder and principal HR Consultant for People415, a San Francisco-based consulting firm providing people solutions for growing companies. She brings prior Board experience having served as the VP of Operations for SCRAP, a non-profit creative reuse center, materials depot and workshop space. Her 2 sons are beneficiaries of the work done by PREFund and attend local schools in Potrero Hill.
Jason is a program manager with demonstrated success leading the delivery of software enterprise development tools that enhance functionality, productivity and efficiency. As a board member Jason looks to continue the success of effecting positive and tangible change within the community. A San Francisco native, Jason is quick to promote the value of an education in “The City” both in and outside the classroom. Jason and his wife have lived in Potrero Hill since 2006, now with two young boys.
Max Garrone works in digital content and co-founded Mezcalistas, where he produces tastings and covers the mezcal industry. He has lived in Potrero Hill since 1996. His daughter attends Daniel Webster and he served as PTA President there for two years. He recently joined the PreFund board; he looks forward to expanding educational access in the neighborhood.
Nik is a real estate investments officer with the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio and serves as Treasurer of PREFund. She is inspired by the sense of community that schools can foster for families in an urban environment and hopes to further the organization's mission through advocacy of quality public education options and building bridges between communities and schools. She and her husband Gian Pablo have been residents of Potrero Hill since 2010, they live here with their two sons.
Margaret Yang oversees Buying for GapOnline Kids and Baby product. She is a customer-centric and results-oriented e-commerce leader with 10+ years of experience in merchandising, marketing, strategy and planning for both mature and start-up businesses. Margaret is a seven-year resident of Potrero Hill where she lives with her husband and two young children. She is passionate about creating a family-friendly community within beautiful San Francisco.
Hannah is the Chief Compliance Officer and Director of Operations at a San Francisco-based wealth management firm where her responsibilities include: enforcing and staying on top of SEC regulations, implementing and improving the firm's operational processes, and managing the client service team. Hannah has lived in the Dogpatch since 2006 and has experienced tremendous growth in the neighborhood. Both her children have attended the Potrero Kids preschool.
Emeritus
PREFund owes its founders and subsequent dedicated community members a debt of gratitude
for their service and the impact they’ve had on the Potrero Hill community
Jennifer Betti
2006-2015
Katherine Doumani
2006-2014
Dena Fischer
(Emeritus in Memoriam)
2006-2012
Debra Grassgreen
2006-2015
Daphne Magnawa
2011-2015
Melissa Millsaps
2006-2014
Laura Mitic
2006 - 2014
Stacey Randecker Bartlett
2006-2017
Galateia Kazakia
2012-2018
Stacey Delo
2012-2018
Sarah King
2012-2019
Press
This 2015 Potrero View article reviews the continued success and evolution of Daniel Webster and touches on the addition of new board members.
This 2012 San Francisco Chronicle article focuses on positive changes at Daniel Webster and includes interviews with two PREFund founders as well as additional Daniel Webster parents.
This 2009 San Francisco Chronicle article details our successes and highlights the tremendous community support for Daniel Webster and our efforts.
This 2008 San Francisco Chronicle article describes our partnership with Rebuilding Together SF and multiple local corporations to upgrade Daniel Webster's campus.
This 2006 San Francisco Chronicle article describes our genesis and early efforts.
