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About REF
Our Mission
The
Redding Education Foundation
is dedicated
to mobilizing and enhancing opportunities to promote
educational excellence so
that the Redding community may better experience the fulfillment of learning at
every age.
Our Vision
Partner to Promote Educational Excellence Through Innovation
REF will partner with the schools, community members and organizations to achieve a shared vision of educational excellence though innovation. REF will invest in community, educational and cultural arts initiatives that go beyond the scope of the town budgets.
Inspire the Joy of Lifelong Learning
REF investments will inspire learning through the application of intellectual and technological innovation to promote greater learning efficacy and efficiency. REF investments celebrate and respect the passion and professional excellence of our educators.
An Informed and Responsible Steward
REF works diligently to be informed on the best and latest research and educational practices nationwide to responsibly apply funds and resources toward their highest and best use in the community.
Garner Community Trust
Through strong partnerships, responsible and informed investments, and evidenced benefits to the community, REF seeks to attract the abundant resources and expertise for its community initiatives. REF is an all volunteer board of community members who all live of the time, talent and treasury to support REF initiatives.
A Community of Excellence
REF's vision shall enhance Redding's reputation as a preferred community to educate and live.
Serve Beyond our Borders
REF aspires to be a model for other communities seeking to promote educational excellence.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Redding
Education Foundation:
What is an Education
Foundation?
A not-for-profit
education foundation raises funds -- via grants, corporations and individual
donor support -- to expand education opportunities in their communities. In
Connecticut, over 78 education foundations have been established, funding
projects and programs that school budgets can’t accommodate, ranging from
building high-tech media labs to sending teachers to workshops to further their
education. The Redding Education Foundation is a 501©3 corporation lead by an
all volunteer board of community members
How is the
Redding Education Foundation
structured?
REF is a
nonpolitical, not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation led by an all volunteer board
of community members. We are affiliated with the Connecticut Consortium of
Education Foundations.
What will the
Redding Education Foundation
do for Redding?
Like other
education foundations, we work in collaboration with the Boards of Education to
initiate projects that involve the schools. Currently, we have a request from
the Board of Education to fund the purchase of a wireless mobile lab with 24
laptop computers, a printer and an LCD projector. This technology will enable
any classroom to become a wireless computer lab. Another current REF project is
the Grants for the Enhancement of Educational Practice (GEEP) which enables
educators to apply for up to $1,000 to fund their attendance at workshops or
fund in-class opportunities for innovation and the promotion of excellence .
This year, REF has also initiated the discussions to form an Arts Center in the
redevelopment of Gilbert and Bennett property. We have fostered the creation of
the Wire Mill Arts Foundation to hold the lease for an eventual Arts Center that
will house visual and performing arts productions for the region.
Why does a town like Redding
need an Education Foundation?
The concept of an
Education Foundation was born 25 years ago, in the wake of California’s
school-budget-tightening Proposition 13. In this spirit, Education Foundations
-- including ours -- provide a tax-advantaged vehicle to support excellence in
education by funding projects that are beyond the scope of the education budget.
To be clear, the Redding Education Foundation is not a substitute funding source
for items that are the clear mandate of the schools’ budgets.
The Redding Education
Foundation will provide programs and fund projects that offer technical
innovation, cultural enhancement or augment excellence in educational
opportunity for the schools and the community.
Does the
Redding Education Foundation
support school board candidates?
As a
non-political, nonprofit group, we cannot campaign for candidates, act as a PAC
nor utilize a substantial portion of our resources to influence town board or
school issues in any way. We do through our actions advocate for educational
excellence and seek to provide opportunities for innovation.
How can I help the
Redding Education Foundation?
Donations
are received at The Redding Education Foundation, P. O. Box 1329, Redding CT,
06875-1329. To donate online, use our secure server:
Volunteer your talents and resources by emailing us at
info@reddingeducationfoundation.org.
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Thank you.
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