2026–27 Mustang Fund
This year the Mustang Fund brings fresh, filtered drinking water to every corner of campus and helps protect the classrooms our kids learn in. Every family, every gift, makes a difference.
Our goal is 100%. Any contribution counts!
MUSF continues to deliver the programs and events that define our community: Carnival, Art at Lunch, Garden Club, Sowah African Drumming, and more. This year the Board believes the Mustang Fund can make the greatest impact by investing in campus improvements that directly enhance the daily experience of our students and staff.
MUS has several newer, much-loved water stations, and students seek them out all day. We’re raising $100,000 to replace, repair and install upgraded filtered water stations across campus, including new stations where they’re needed most.
We’re raising $300,000 toward replacing the roofs on Buildings C and D. Building D houses our 4th-grade classrooms, music program and school offices; Building C is home to our 5th-grade classrooms.
Over ⅔ of MUSF revenue comes from the Mustang Fund, so participation, small or large, is critical.
Dear MUS Community,
We are thrilled to be the chairs of this year’s Mustang Fund! Both of our families have been impacted in such positive ways by our school, and we are thankful to be able to give back with our roles on the Montecito Union School Foundation board.
With an urgent call to action last year, the entire MUS community showed up with a level of generosity that was historic. With a total raise of over $900K, we were able to support our school in building its financial reserves for critical programs and operational needs that impact our children’s daily life. THANK YOU for such an incredible result!
This year we continue shoring up the school’s financial reserves by supporting a critical roof replacement project. We are also excited to act on an improvement that came straight from our students and staff: delicious drinking water available across campus. This work rounds out many of the campus improvements our fundraising has driven, most recently our outdoor fitness and wellness stations.
Every person’s support is vital to making MUS exceptional. We ask that each member of our community consider a donation as a signal of our commitment to the school and its impact on our children’s lives. Our gratitude for your participation is immense.
Last year’s “Keep MUS, MUS” campaign asked for $500K to help rebuild district reserves after $9M+ in legal settlement costs. You gave over $900K, the highest Mustang Fund total in MUSF history, which also let MUSF fund $30K a year for three years of teacher development days.
MUSF exists to make sure every MUS student has exceptional experiences beyond what the district can provide on its own.
Past families gave to create opportunities your child enjoys today. By donating, you continue this cycle, ensuring future students have the same enriching experiences for years to come.
The superintendent works with the board, teachers, and staff to identify needs. Proposals are developed and refined with cost estimates and timelines, then the MUSF Board reviews and votes for final approval before fundraising begins. This ensures all projects directly benefit students and align with our mission.
MUSF maintains reserves equal to one year’s operating budget to manage cash flow and cover shortfalls, so programs and commitments to students are never interrupted. At times MUSF may show a planned net loss when funds raised in a prior year are spent later; this is intentional and part of our budgeting process.
No. Instead of a permanent endowment, MUSF keeps a flexible reserve equal to roughly one year’s budget. This protects the school during financial challenges and ensures funds are used quickly to benefit students rather than being locked away.
Surpluses are either dedicated to upcoming approved projects or set aside as unrestricted funds for future needs. Our goal is to turn donations into immediate impact for students.
Visit the Get Involved page and subscribe to ParentSquare. All of our monthly and event volunteering needs go out through the parent app.
Give online by credit or debit card, or send a check or wire. Every gift counts toward 100% participation, and every gift is tax-deductible.
Prefer to fill it in right here? Use the form below; it’s the same secure checkout as the Donate Now button.
