Our Philanthropic Programs

The Assistance League of Capistrano Valley funds several philanthropic programs. We invite you to learn more about each of our philanthropic programs that serve children in the Capistrano Valley Unified School District and Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base.

We are proud to have earned the prestigious Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest level awarded! Transparency is the cornerstone of trust, and we’re committed to keeping you informed every step of the way. Click here to view the Nonprofit Report on Assistance League of Capistrano Valley provided by GuideStar Exchange.

Operation School Bell®

The Operation School Bell® philanthropy promotes clothing security for select students in the Capistrano Unified School District. ALCV partners with district liaisons to identify in-need students, and local retail stores to host the shopping event. At the event students, along with their parents, have the opportunity to select appropriate school clothing/shoes that is paid for by ALCV. Whenever possible, these students also receive complimentary personal hygiene kits, provided by our Assisteens®. Since 1980, Operation School Bell® has provided 1000s of students with new school clothing which has been shown to raise self-esteem and improve school attendance. Learn More

Links to Learning

The Links to Learning philanthropy provides grants, up to $500 each, to school personnel to enrich classroom instruction for students and overall school-wide effectiveness at middle schools in the Capistrano Unified School District. This program has provided 1000s of grants to middle school educators since 2000. Learn More

Igniting Potential

Established in 2024, Igniting Potential is our newest philanthropy that promotes the disruption of generational poverty by giving targeted educational services to typically underserved students. To this end, ALCV partners with the AVID (Achievement through Individual Determination) program at San Clemente and San Juan Hills High Schools. This program will provide $20-30K annually to fund college visits and teacher training. Learn More

Serving Those Who Serve

Since 2005, the Serving Those Who Serve philanthropy includes three programs. The Back to School Clothing program provides back to school clothing for kindergarten through high school students of enlisted military families based at Camp Pendleton. Established in 2025, the Pantry Program provides needed supplies to stock the ASYMCA’s Pantry for needy families located on the base, and the Toddler Time program provides 2T to 5T outfits for military children through the ASYMCA along with meeting needs at the Fisher Childcare Center at Camp Pendleton. Learn More

I.N.S.P.I.R.E.

The I.N.S.P.I.R.E. (Independence for Needy Single Parents Instilled via Responsible Education) philanthrophy provides scholarships to help single parents attending Saddleback College to further their education. Qualified recipients, who receive scholarship money, are monitored for grades and attendance by their counseling departments. Our goal is to provide a helping hand to these parents, change their lives, and provide good role models for their children. Learn More

Scholarships for High School Seniors

Since 2009, this philanthropy has given scholarships to Capistrano Unified and Oceanside School District graduating seniors of military families. In 2024, this philanthropy was re-directed to grant scholarships to Capistrano Unified School District graduating seniors who are enrolled in the AVID program at San Clemente High School, and San Juan Hills High School. Each scholarship is given directly to the student to help bridge the “affordability gap” highlighted by recent research regarding the rising cost of higher education. Recipients who participate in the ALCV follow-up survey after completing their first year of college are awarded a second stipend by the affiliated, We Believe in You program. Learn More

Hands On Literacy

Reading is a fundamental skill that lays the foundation for a child’s academic success. However, not all students have access to the resources and support they need to develop strong reading skills. That’s where our Hands On Literacy program comes in.

This philanthropy promotes both language and mathematics fluency in CUSD elementary classrooms. Members engage directly with small groups of students on a weekly basis, providing literacy support to students needing reading and math assistance. In some cases, teachers may task members to work one-on-one with targeted students. Books are also provided to the students to keep.

Hug-A-Bear

Our Hug-A-Bear program provides comfort to children experiencing trauma in stressful situations. Teddy bears are provided to area fire stations for distribution to children who are experiencing trauma in stressful situations.

Trauma Togs

The Trauma Togs philanthropy provides replacement clothing to patients who are in-need of clothing upon leaving the Emergency Departments and/or Trauma Centers at Providence Hospitals located in Laguna Beach and Mission Viejo.