Davis Forest School

Reviewed by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation
Fundraise

5% complete

$10,000 Goal

Davis Forest School is a non-profit 501(c)(3) outdoor education and nature play organization in Northern California. We value building community through land-based programming, and creating and maintaining a supportive space that allows others to explore and grow. We have doubled the number of children served every year since 2021, and served nearly 500 children last year!

Our passion is getting kids outside!  Our goal is to promote and cultivate understanding of and empathy for the natural world, and for the local bioregion–the ecosystem of Putah Creek and the lower Sacramento River watershed–in particular, through encouraging exploration and curiosity, facilitating free play, and guiding children in artistic creation, active games, hiking, and quiet observation.  We use a variety of gentle, age-appropriate teaching and mentoring methods to facilitate positive experiences between children and the natural world.

We hold our programs on the ancestral lands of the Patwin Wintun/Yocha DeHe Wintun Nation (Davis & Woodland area), and the Nisenan people (Sacramento area). These people have always been deeply connected to the land, and have stewarded it over countless generations. We are committed to acknowledging and respecting their history, culture, and ongoing presence as we engage with and learn from the natural world around us.

Mission

Davis Forest School exists to provide child-led, transformative alternative education spaces in the outdoor environment that fosters learning through exploration, creative expression, play, and nature connection.

Needs

Here at Davis Forest School, we have worked hard the past few years to get our program off the ground. However, program fees currently only cover about 60% of our organizational expenses and staff salaries. Our expenses have increased, and we need additional operational support. Most urgently, we are looking to raise $10,000 towards covering our land usage fees.

Equity Statement

Davis Forest School has a mission to promote environmental justice and education equity in the outdoor space. We offer accessible and welcoming programming and offer reparations-based scholarships to Black and Indigenous families. We also give need-based scholarships to economically disadvantaged families. We have never turned away a family based on their ability to pay. Last year, we offered our families almost $10,000 in reparations and tuition assistance.

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Davis Forest School

Year Established

2018

Tax id (EIN)

38-4190582

Mission Category

Education

Operating Budget

$100,001-$250,000

Organization Need

Funding: Other, Funding: Program, Funding: Unrestricted, In-Kind Donations, Space: Office or Other, Board Members

Demographics Served

Youth & Children, General population

BIPOC Leadership

Both the Executive Director & Board Chair

Local Counties Served

Yolo, Sacramento

Address

PO Box 4641
DAVIS, CA 95617

Service areas

Davis, CA, US

Sacramento, CA, US

Yolo County, CA, US

Sacramento County, CA, US

Phone

530-205-3045

Website

https://davisforestschool.org/

Social Media