In a powerful display of unity and generosity, the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation, several major CFP Bowl games, and education partner School Specialty have pledged a combined $1.5 million toward the restoration of Eliot Arts Magnet School in Altadena. The school sustained significant fire damage in January, displacing students and disrupting the local community.
The CFP Foundation will contribute at least $1.2 million to the effort, with support from a coalition of prestigious bowl games: the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential, and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Additionally, School Specialty, a longtime partner of the CFP Foundation through its Extra Yard Makeover Project, will provide an estimated $300,000 in resources to aid the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD), including Eliot Arts and McKinley Middle School, where Eliot students are currently relocated.
“We are grateful to have so many generous partners willing to come together to help our friends in Pasadena and at Eliot Arts Magnet School,” said Britton Banowsky, executive director of the CFP Foundation. “It’s a historic moment as all of the CFP Bowls are aligned to support this very important project.”
David Eads, CEO of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the collaborative spirit behind the initiative. “This generous commitment highlights the power of teamwork and the meaningful impact we can make when united by a shared purpose. Eliot Arts holds a special place in our community, and we’re proud to stand with our partners to help restore a space that inspires creativity, learning, and hope.”
School Specialty CEO Ryan Bohr added, “It’s a privilege to contribute to the Pasadena Unified School District’s ongoing efforts to empower students and educators. We are proud to support their community as they move forward with strength, unity, and hope.”
This restoration effort builds on a partnership history: in 2023, the historic Eliot Arts library was refurbished through a collaboration involving the CFP Foundation, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, the Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF), and School Specialty. While the school’s exterior largely withstood the recent fires, the interior suffered severe damage, prompting the PUSD Board to pass a resolution in January committing to the school’s full rebuild.
The CFP Foundation and the Tournament of Roses have a longstanding relationship with PUSD and PEF, having previously supported the district through teacher grants and library resource programs. As part of the ongoing commitment, the CFP Foundation has entered into a three-year grant agreement with PEF to ensure continued investment in Eliot Arts’ revival.
PUSD Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco highlighted the impact of the initiative: “This generous support brings hope and momentum to our recovery and reaffirms the power of community partnerships in rebuilding schools that inspire creativity, resilience, and pride.”
“Eliot Arts Magnet School has been an important Altadena landmark since its construction nearly a century ago,” added Patrick Conyers, executive director of the Pasadena Educational Foundation. “We are incredibly thankful for the CFP Foundation and its partners’ commitment during this critical time for our district and community.”
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