Anonymous donor gives $250 gift cards to 6,000 SF public school teachers, totaling $1.6 million

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Thousands of San Francisco public school educators are receiving an unexpected financial boost after an anonymous donor contributed $1.6 million to benefit district employees.

About 6,000 teachers and paraeducators in the San Francisco Unified School District are each receiving $250 gift cards, according to Spark, a nonprofit partner that works with the district to coordinate philanthropic support for students and staff.

For many educators, the news first arrived by email -- and initially raised doubts.

"If you look at it, there's an anonymous donor who wants to give you $250, would you click on it? Probably not," said Ginny Fang, president of Spark.

The donation, however, is legitimate, and Spark said it has been working with the donor since November to make the gift possible. Fang said educators across the district have responded with gratitude.

"This gift is unexpected and a blessing," Fang said, reading from one teacher's response. Another educator wrote, "this is so wonderful I can't believe this it's true."

In a statement, the anonymous donor said, "I want educators across San Francisco to feel seen and appreciated for the work they do every day."

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The gift comes as many educators continue to face the high cost of living in San Francisco, where housing, food and transportation expenses remain steep.

"We live in an expensive city, no question, and it's more and more expensive," Fang said. "Being able to take care of themselves and their families, that's a real-life pressure."

For some school employees, the extra money may go toward daily necessities. Others say it will help with personal goals.

San Francisco Unified School District paraeducator Joaquin Martin of George Peabody Elementary School in the Inner Richmond neighborhood said the $250 Visa gift card will help as he saves for transportation.

"I love that," Martin said. "I'm saving up for a car. I'm going on a road trip this summer. Every little bit helps."

The donation follows a turbulent school year for district educators. Earlier this year, teachers staged their first strike in nearly 50 years after months of contract negotiations.

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The district ultimately agreed to use rainy-day reserves to fund increases in pay, health benefits, special education staffing and other needs, though the prolonged bargaining process created significant stress for employees.

"Especially after what everyone went through with the strike I think It's amazing," one Peabody Elementary staffer said.

Former San Francisco Unified School District parent and school lunch monitor Dave Martin said educators have long merited this kind of recognition.

"My kids came through San Francisco public school, and I know many teachers, and they're all deserving," he said.

Spark said it is honoring the donor's request to remain anonymous. Still, Fang said the gesture sends a meaningful message to educators whose work often goes unseen.

"For someone that lives in San Francisco that just wants to appreciate them and recognize them for their hard work, most of which we do not see and most of which we will never see is just an incredible opportunity to just say thank you to our teachers," Fang said.

Fang said additional instructions will arrive by email on Tuesday. The digital $250 gift cards are expected to be distributed Thursday.