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 collaborates with two critical partners to execute this program annually. First, ALCV partners with district liaisons who identify qualified students at each of the school sites. Second, ALCV partners with local retail stores to host the shopping events. (We are currently working with WalMart and LABridal.) At the event students, along with their parents, have the opportunity to select appropriate school clothing that is then 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 elementary and 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

Igniting Potential (IP) was established in 2024 through a partnership between Assistance League of Capistrano Valley (ALCV) and the Advancement Via Individual Achievement (AVID) program in Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD). Its mission is to help underserved students realize their potential and pursue college and career opportunities. Intended Results: Students are better prepared to envision, pursue and navigate college and career opportunities contributing to the broader goals of supporting student success and closing the opportunity gap. Learn More

Serving Those Who Serve

The Assistance League of Capistrano Valley (ALCV) hopes to alleviate the pressures unique to military families and in a small, but valuable, way contribute to troop readiness at Camp Pendelton. ALCV has been serving military families for the past 25 years. The original program was called “Chapters for Children” and started in year 2000. In 2025, the program was expanded, renamed, Serving Those Who Serve (STWS) and grounded in a partnership with the Armed Services YMCA. This partnership allows ALCV to leverage resources on the base and make sure our services reach the families with the greatest need. 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, the Assistance League of Capistrano Valley (ALCV) has provided need-based scholarships to graduating seniors in the Capistrano Unified School District (CUSD) through a partnership with the AVID college-readiness program. These scholarships help bridge the college affordability gap by covering essential first-year expenses not fully addressed by traditional financial aid, including transportation, technology, books, bedding, toiletries, and other dormitory and classroom supplies. Working with AVID teachers helps ALCV identify students with demonstrated financial need who have prepared for college and are committed to continuing their education. Learn More

FOSTERing School Spirit

The FOSTERing School Spirit (FSS) program launched in 2026 to support local youth navigating the foster care system by helping them build a stronger sense of belonging at their individual school sites throughout the academic year. Frequent school transitions, financial hardship, and instability can make it difficult for foster youth to participate fully in school culture. FOSTERing School Spirit aims to help remove some of those barriers by providing practical support while also reinforcing the message that these students are valued members of their school communities. 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.