Our Story
Adelante PTA was founded with a simple but powerful belief: every student in San Jose deserves the chance to succeed, regardless of their family's financial circumstances. Since receiving our tax-exempt status in November 1943, we have been a steadfast presence in the San Jose community, working alongside parents, teachers, and students to break down the financial barriers that too often stand between young people and their educational goals.
The name "Adelante" — Spanish for "forward" or "onward" — reflects both the community we serve and our unwavering commitment to propelling students toward brighter futures. As part of the PTA California Congress of Parents, Teachers & Students, Inc., we are backed by one of the oldest and most respected advocacy organizations for children and families in the state.
What started as a small group of parents pooling resources to help neighborhood children afford school supplies has grown into a structured financial aid program that awards scholarships, merit-based grants, and emergency funds to K-12 students across San Jose. Our volunteers — parents, educators, and community leaders — donate thousands of hours each year to fundraising, mentoring, and program administration.
Mission & Values
Our Mission: Adelante PTA empowers San Jose students and families by providing scholarships, financial aid, and educational resources that remove barriers to academic success.
Our Core Values
- Equity: We prioritize students from first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented backgrounds who face the steepest barriers to educational opportunity.
- Community: We believe that when parents, teachers, and students work together, every child benefits. Our programs are built on collaboration and mutual support.
- Transparency: Every dollar donated goes where it's needed. We maintain open financial records and report our impact annually to our community.
- Empowerment: Financial aid is just the beginning. We equip students with knowledge about budgeting, financial literacy, and long-term planning so they can build sustainable futures.
- Persistence: "Adelante" means forward. We encourage our students to keep moving, keep learning, and keep striving — and we commit to being there at every step.
Our Leadership
Adelante PTA is governed by a volunteer board of directors composed of parents, educators, and community professionals from across San Jose. Board members serve two-year terms and are elected by the general membership at our annual meeting each fall.
Our scholarship review committee includes educators, financial aid professionals, and former scholarship recipients who bring firsthand understanding of the challenges applicants face. This ensures our selection process is fair, thorough, and grounded in real-world experience.
Accountability & Transparency
EIN: 20-2686227
Adelante PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. We file Form 990 annually with the IRS, and our returns are available upon request. We are committed to responsible stewardship of every contribution we receive.
As a unit of PTA California Congress of Parents, Teachers & Students, Inc., we adhere to the financial oversight and governance standards set by California State PTA, including annual audits and compliance reporting.
Get Involved
Whether you want to apply for aid, make a donation, or volunteer your time, there's a place for you at Adelante PTA.
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