ABOUT
The mission of Ridgewood Education Foundation (REF) is to collaborate with the District Administration, the Home and School Associations and the Board of Education to enhance public education in Ridgewood, NJ.
REF seeks opportunities to support projects with district wide reach, and events that bond our increasingly diverse community. REF also provides funding for innovative programs that enhance the educational experience of smaller groups within the district. Please see the Grants Application for additional information.
The REF was established in 1989 to provide private funds to enhance the experiences of students in the Ridgewood Public Schools. Initially most grants were small and localized to a single school or even classroom. In 2013 the REF boldy decided to broaden the scope of its investments and raise the impact of its initiatives. It also determined to raise awareness for the importance of private funding in securing and maintaining the tradition of excellence for which Ridgewood Public schools are known.
Recent grants from REF have supported a great range of initiative including a leadership grant to fund the new Learning Commons at RHS, an extensive renovation of the old (and old style) high school library into a modern flexible learning space, and funding for the district’s first phases of foundational infrastructure to prepare for the new STEM curriculum. This multi- year initiative included funding for Chromebooks to establish a 1:1 ratio first at RHS and later the middle schools and elementary schools. The significance of this forward thinking became evident during the Pandemic when all learning became remote. Our students were able to continue learning because they were already familiar with the technology. In addition to these major initiatives REF also continued to make small grants such as providing an innovative yoga program for our students on the autism spectrum, or archery equipment to the middle schools. REF has deepened and redefined its role in the life of the community by supporting dynamic community-building events such as Super Science Saturday, The REEL Voices Documentary Series, and the Wellness Speaker Series; and also by offering celebrations such as Oktoberfest and Winterfest, that help bring the whole community together.
The REF raises funds through the generous support of individuals and local businesses in order to achieve these goals.
The Ridgewood Education Foundation is an IRC § 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. All contributions are deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
Ridgewood
Education
Foundation
Enhancing Education
The Ridgewood Education Foundation is an independent 501c3 organization, whose mission is to collaborate with District Administration, the Home and School Associations and the Board of Education to enhance public education in Ridgewood, NJ.
GRANTS
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD GRANT GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION
2020 will likely prove to have been a watershed event for REF, as for the community at large. The intention to provide leading edge, innovative learning in the Ridgewood Public Schools helped put Chromebooks in the hands of each student. This benefit proved invaluable in enabling student learning to continue during this extremely challenging time.
As we all move forward, REF is even more committed to raising private funds to support innovative programs at both the classroom and district level . Grants applications should meet one or more of the following important criteria:
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That fund broadly focused initiatives that support new technologies, STEAM and other new related curricula;
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That advance the District’s curriculum through the purchase of infrastructure and other equipment needed for innovative learning;
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That enhance educational excellence in Ridgewood through innovative programs.
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That build community.
ACHIEVEMENTS
2021
Wellness Speaker Series
First WinterFest Virtual Events
2019
- STEAM- Lazer Cutters printers
- Physics and Engineering Materials for RHS 9-12
-Provided Rutgers Science Bus to BFMS grade 6
First Phone-a-thon Fundraiser bringing together current students, parents, alumni and others to raise money and awareness for REF.
2020
- Reel Voices Documentary Film Festival
2018
- $30,000 for Elementary School MakerSpace
- $23,000 for 9-12 Physics and Engineering Materials
- Wellness Speaker Series
- Super Science Saturday
- Reel Voices Documentary Series
Awarded $20,000 from the Columbia Bank Foundation
3rd Oktoberfest
2017
Passed $1M mark in grants made to the District
- Recording Studio Grant to RHS
- Continued 1:1 Chromebook funding
- Middle School Makerspace Grant
-Wellbeing Speaker Series
-Reel Voices Documentaries
-Super Science Saturday
2016
-$22,000 for Grades 6-12 Physics and Engineering Materials
-$20,000 to create Makerspace for the district at RHS
-$20,000 Creative Classrooms Grant
-2nd Oktoberfest
2015
- $85,000 to modernize classrooms at BFMS and GWMS for the new STEM curriculum
-$50,000 to fund 1:1 Chromebook initiative
-$5000 Global Classrooms at RHS
-Reel Voices Documentary
2014
- $150,000 for Chromebooks at RHS
-3D Printer for RHS Makerspace Studio
-Teen Leads Program
-Super Science Saturday
-1st Oktoberfest: community wide celebration
OUR SPONSORS
The support of our donors ensures that the tradition of innovation and excellence in public education in Ridgewood continues.
Please help us show our appreciation by supporting their businesses!
Platinum
Columbia Bank Foundation
Gold
Ernst & Young
Silver
Jennifer McGee Designs~The Wine Seller~ Reno's Appliances~ Onyx Equities
Nancy Ricca~Backwoods~Ridgewood Tree Corporation~ Hammer & Nail~ The DeVita Family
Federated HSA
Bronze
Jennie Smith Wilson~ Home Supply~ Park West Tavern~ Doherty Inc.~ Sheila Brogan and Bill Reilly~ Thomas Flint Landscape Design and Development~ Precision Orthodontics~ Messineo & Messineo~
Health Barn USA~ Van Dyk Health Care~ Tarleton Landscaping Company~ Rhee Plastic Surgery~
Rise Fitness~ Share, Inc~ Wegman's Food Markets~ West Ridgewood Dental~Wostbrock Home~
West Side Nursery School
Copper
Campgaw Mountain~ Printology~ Artisan Builders~ State Farm/John Dominiani~
Clemente Orthodontics~ Huntington Learning Centers/Ridgewood~
Janis Furhman/Terrie O'Connor Realtors~ Paredes/Grube Architects~ Pomptonian~ Z+ Architects~
Spring Lake Day Camp~ Eileen Phelps~ Ridgewood Alumni Association~ Veenstra & Sons
THANK YOU!
PHONE-A-THON
OCTOBER 1-3, 2019
THANK YOU!!
On the evenings of Oct 1, 2 and 3 members of the trustees, student and other community volunteers called district families asking for your support. Thanks to the many families who contributed, we raised more than $27,000!
It's not too late to participate! The more money we raise, the more we are able to grant back to the district to fund important initiatives that impact all Ridgewood students.
Mail a check to: The Ridgewood Education Foundation, 49 Cottage Place, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 or use the DONATE button on this site to make an on-line donation.
THANK YOU again, on behalf of all the students, teachers and administrators who depend on your generosity.