The Sahuarita Unified School District Educational Enrichment Foundation (SEEF) was created in 2003 at the direction of the Sahuarita Unified School District (SUSD) Governing Board. Its purpose includes raising funds to support educational programs within the district. As a result of SEEF’s 501(c)(3) status, individuals as well as businesses are able to realize a tax benefit when making a donation to SEEF in support of its educational mission.

Since its creation, individual donors and businesses have provided funds for many projects including a Preschool Program based at Sopori Elementary School in Amado and the LINK Program (Learning Involves Nurturing Kids) which is based near SUSD’s administrative offices. LINK is a licensed childcare program that offers before school care at the Copper View and Anza Trail campuses, after school care from dismissal time until 5:30pm at all K-5 campuses, and an all-day child-care program for 4-year-olds from 7:00am to 5:30pm.

SEEF works closely with SUSD administration and teachers to enhance the programs and offerings available to students in the district for the purpose of achieving educational excellence.

The teacher Mini-grant Program provides awards to teachers for special classroom projects. SEEF also has designated funds that can be awarded to teachers to help them meet requirements for National Board Certification. And most recently, SEEF helped raise funds used to support teachers participating in the CommunityShare fellowship program operating within the district. The purpose of CommunityShare is to promote collaboration within communities by involving both teachers and community members in the design of projects that bring valuable, real-world learning experiences to students.

SEEF also administers several scholarship programs for graduating high-school students pursuing post-secondary education. And in 2023, SEEF provided $75,000 in funds designated for scholarships by the donor (the local Masonic lodge) to Pima Community College to launch Pima First/Sahuarita WINS. This program will provide scholarships for eligible graduating high school students that elect initial enrollment at the college before completing additional college years elsewhere.

While most SEEF programs have been in existence for some time, the Foundation’s Board of Directors continuously monitors the needs of the school district and aims to provide services and appropriate responses for meeting those needs.