Palo Alto Partners in Education announced last week that a $50,000 gift has been made by local realtor Juliana Lee to aide PiE in its 2013-14 Challenge Grant.

The donation will contribute to the annual fundraising campaign, in which all donations made before Jan. 31 will be matched dollar for dollar by local businesses and families, according to PiEs executive director Kathy Schroeder.

The 2013-14 Challenge Grant, which ends this Friday, is how many school programs are funded.

“Gifts to PiE are essential to preserve an outstanding education at PAUSD,” states the PiE website. “PiE dollars now make up about 75 percent of the flexible funding that PAUSD principals can spend at each school for school-specific support and enrichment otherwise not funded by the district.”

“We are so grateful for Ms. Lee’s very generous support for a second year in a row,” PiE President Terry Godfrey said. “This unexpected gift will benefit all children in Palo Alto public schools by funding essential programs such as arts, counseling, aides, and hands-on science. And, making it part of PiE’s Challenge Grant will help inspire others to give.”

Lee is a member of Keller Williams’ Leadership Council and prides herself on giving back to the community she serves, according to the press release issue by PiE.

“I continue to believe in the importance of public education in Palo Alto and wanted to further my impact by donating to PiE’s Challenge Grant this year,” Lee said. “I see my role as both a supporter of PAUSD and a leader who can help inspire other businesses and families to get involved in PiE and help all Palo Alto students succeed.”