Historical Timeline
| 1982 Petaluma Educational Foundation incorporated September 30, 1982. |
| 1983 PEF files first 990 Tax Return: Gross Receipts = $20,377 PEF Logo Contest winner announced: Jim Balshaw, Casa Grande High School. |
| 1984 First PEF Grants: $18,000 awarded in “mini-grants” – limit $500. |
| 1985 PEF Mission expanded to include all schools, including St Vincent’s schools. |
| 1987 October 23: first annual Live and Silent Auction Herman Sons Hall (tickets: $2.50 per person) |
| 1990 First scholarships awarded. Invest in education launched with a guarantee that 100% of funds grants in schools. |
| 1992 Henris Family endowment established. |
| 1994 March 15: Alphabet Soup Benefit Thrift Store opens (a joint venture with Petaluma Boys & Girls Club) |
| 1995 Travelling Lantern Theater Co. begins 12-year “Theater in Schools” program |
| 1997 February 1: Alphabet Soup moves to 213 Western Avenue May 18: First Annual Duck Race |
| 1999 PEF moves to the current office at 200 Douglas Street MacIlvain scholarship established with $1,000,000 gift from PHS teacher, Shirley MacIlvain |
| 2000 Arnold Scott estate leaves $800,000 to establish PHS and CGHS scholarships |
| 2006 Million Dollar Bash celebrates first $1,000,000 given out in PEF grants |
| 2007 Grant limit raised to $2000 Fund the future launched with 100% board participation |
| 2009 PEF assumes sole ownership of Alphabet Soup |
| 2010 Grant limit raised to $15,000 to create Major Impact Grants. |
| 2011 T.E.C. Initiative launched Alphabet Soup moves to a new location and expands |
| 2012 Milestone reached: $2,000,000 grants; $ 2,000,000 scholarships |
| 2013 Alphabet Soup Store opens the second location in downtown Petaluma as Alphabet Soup @Home 2016 Milestone reached: over $3,000,000 awarded in PEF grants since the program began in 1983; 2017 Milestone reached: over $ 3,000,000 awarded in scholarships since the program began in 1990. 2019 Alphabet Soup Stores celebrates 25 years in business benefiting the mission of PEF |