Ginny Fang Leads Spark SF Schools Amid Budget Challenges

Ginny Fang is navigating a challenging landscape as she leads the San Francisco Unified School District’s nonprofit arm, Spark SF Schools. Taking charge during her second year as president, she faces historic budget deficits and significant reductions in educational funding at various levels due to recent federal policies.

Fang attributes her resilience to her family, particularly her late grandmother, Tse-Hsia Lei Wang. Wang fled China during the communist revolution, eventually becoming an educational leader in Taiwan. Reflecting on her grandmother’s experiences, Fang draws inspiration from stories of survival and resilience. “I think about her stories of escaping the Japanese bombing,” Fang shared. “I think about what it means to rebuild a country, like she helped do in Taiwan.”

As Spark SF Schools approaches its 10th anniversary in March 2025, it celebrates raising over $140 million in private donations to support critical student programs since its founding in 2015. Under Fang’s leadership, the organization has initiated various programs aimed at improving math and literacy rates, addressing chronic absenteeism, and enhancing mental health services within the district.

San Francisco Unified School District Superintendent Maria Su praised Fang’s contributions, stating that her leadership has “strengthened community investment and elevated visibility for the district’s high-priority initiatives.” This has enabled lasting improvements across San Francisco’s public education system.

Fang remains focused on the future, emphasizing the potential for Spark to expand its impact despite an uncertain fiscal environment. “I honestly think it’s not so much what was achieved in the first 10 years — which was a lot,” she said. “But it’s more about what that showed us we can do in the next 10.”

A significant contributor to Spark’s success is its largest donor, Salesforce, which provides approximately $5 million annually. Fang envisions multiplying such partnerships to further enhance the organization’s reach and effectiveness.

Those who work with Fang commend her positivity and problem-solving approach, especially during difficult times. Rebecca Kroll, Chief Operating Officer at the SF Ed Fund, noted Fang’s ability to think creatively and maintain a can-do attitude, even amid adversity. “It’s such a hard time. There’s only so much we can do, but it takes time, and it’s hard in the meantime to watch students, teachers, and families struggle,” Kroll said.

Fang’s commitment to education is deeply rooted in her family history. Her grandmother, raised in a wealthy family in early 20th century China, was one of the first women to serve as a headmistress in Taiwan. Wang was a community organizer who celebrated events like International Women’s Day, instilling a legacy of leadership and resilience in Fang.

Fang’s journey into education leadership began with her role as head of philanthropy at the SF Ed Fund. This experience, she says, inspired her to pursue the presidency at Spark SF Schools, which she accepted at the start of 2024. That year proved to be tumultuous for the district, culminating in the resignation of Superintendent Matt Wayne in September and marked by significant federal education funding cuts.

Despite these challenges, Fang remains optimistic. She believes that empowering future generations through education is essential for society. “To have an educated populace — that is the responsibility of us collectively,” she stated. “That’s what our democracy rests on.”

Fang’s grandmother’s legacy continues to inspire her, even in the face of obstacles. Wang lived to the age of 100, remaining active in her community until her passing in 2023. Fang reflects on her grandmother’s life, stating, “You have to take what is in front of you and the opportunities that are in front of you, to be able to make the difference.”

As Spark SF Schools continues to adapt to the evolving educational landscape, Fang’s leadership will be crucial in shaping the future of public education in San Francisco.