A Message from our Board President
As an educator, coach, and retired school board trustee, I've dedicated my career to advocating for equitable access and opportunities for all students. It fills me with pride to serve as the board president of this education support foundation, driven by the same passions that inspired its creation, fully endorsed by the SRCS school board even before my tenure.
The significance of enrichment programs and resources for students cannot be overstated. These programs contribute to increased classroom success, reveal new passions, enhance social-emotional wellness, and help students see themselves in new, exciting ways. Through these enrichment initiatives, students can build a stronger future by developing essential skills today. We firmly believe that a child's growth is a community's growth.
However, equitable opportunities do not exist across all SRCS schools when it comes to boosters, parent clubs, volunteerism, and fundraising. Many educators are left to pay out of pocket, rely on crowdfunding, or go without critical enrichment opportunities.
At MiSREF, our mission is to invest equitably in and create programs that promote opportunity, inspire engagement, and elevate youth voice. We strive to collaborate and partner with our community to close the opportunity and achievement gaps. Let's work together to ensure our K-8 students benefit from art, music, sports, STEAM, campus gardens, physical education, classroom grants and more.
Please consider making a donation and help us move the needle together!
Jill McCormick
Board President
Our
Mission
To equitably invest in and create programs that promote opportunity, inspire engagement and elevate youth voice.
Our
Vision
- Expand funding to ensure every school that applies receives the maximum grant amount
- Double our grant cycles to twice yearly, ensuring consistent and expanded access to funding for all schools we serve
- Expand our ELITE early literacy program to all nine elementary schools
- Establish partnerships to leverage resources and provide equitable contributions to SRCS schools
- Sustain and grow our endowment fund to ensure ongoing impactful funding for the most underserved students in the district
Our
Core Values
The Made in Santa Rosa Education Foundation is committed to equity for youth and families served by the Santa Rosa City Schools. All of our work is rooted in these foundational values:
- Equity and Inclusion: Ensuring all students have access to the same opportunities, regardless of background or socioeconomic status
- Student-Centered Focus: Prioritizing the needs and development of students in every decision
- Collaboration and Partnership: Building strong, cooperative relationships with families, educators, and the community
- Innovation and Excellence: Encouraging creative solutions and striving for the highest standards in educational support
- Empowerment: Providing resources and opportunities that enable students, teachers, and families to achieve their full potential
- Community Engagement: Actively involving the community in the foundation’s mission and activities
- Sustainability: Ensuring long-term viability and responsible stewardship of resources
- Cultural Responsiveness: Acknowledging and incorporating diverse cultural perspectives in programs and initiatives
Our Story
In 2019, the Santa Rosa City Schools District Board of Trustees voted to establish a foundation dedicated to supporting schools and students through funding for enrichment activities, supplies, and resources. This initiative was fueled by undesignated donations to the district, particularly those received following the 2017 Tubbs Fire. Recognizing the inequitable distribution of resources among elementary and middle school students, our goal is to bridge the achievement and access gap by offering opportunities comparable to those available to students in higher-resourced schools.
A significant disparity exists in fundraising capabilities between schools. High-resourced schools often benefit from parent/faculty organizations, booster clubs, and donations, whereas lower-resourced schools face challenges due to socioeconomic conditions. Enrichment education funding is primarily secured through these channels. As a result, educators in these schools often pay out of pocket, or go without crucial enrichment opportunities.
Why are enrichment programs vital? Art, music, sports, and STEAM programs not only enrich students’ learning but also promote social-emotional development and enhance a range of student outcomes. These programs enable students to discover their potential beyond the classroom, engage in diverse learning methods, and enjoy engaging projects and activities. Moreover, enrichment programs foster classroom success and introduce students to new interests.
The Made in Santa Rosa Education Foundation received its 501(c)(3) designation in late 2020. Since then, we conducted a comprehensive strategic planning process, assessed the current needs within the SRCS K-8 grades, and began providing grant funding in March, 2022.