A Message from our Board President
As an educator, coach, and former school board trustee, I’ve spent my career advocating for equity in education. Now, as board president of Made in Santa Rosa Education Foundation, I’m proud to help lead a mission rooted in that same passion: ensuring every student has access to enriching opportunities that foster growth, confidence, and success.
Enrichment matters. It fuels curiosity, builds vital life skills, boosts classroom achievement, and supports students’ social-emotional well-being. But not every school has the same resources. Many educators are forced to fund programs themselves—or go without.
At MiSREF, we invest in programs that spark creativity, promote engagement, and elevate youth voice—because a child’s growth is a community’s growth. Together, we can close opportunity gaps and ensure all K–8 students have access to arts, music, sports, STEAM, gardens, physical education, and more.
Join us—your support makes the difference.
Jill McCormick
Board President
Our
Mission
To equitably invest in and create programs that promote opportunity, inspire engagement and elevate youth voice.
Our
Vision
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Ensure every school thrives by awarding the full grant amount to every eligible applicant—no school left behind.
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Double our grant cycles to deliver consistent, year-round access to enrichment funding across all SRCS K–8 schools.
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Bring ELITE to all seven elementary schools, empowering early learners with culturally relevant literacy tools that build confidence and close critical reading gaps.
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Forge strategic partnerships that multiply our impact and deliver equitable resources to the students and schools that need them most.
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Grow and sustain our endowment fund to provide lasting, transformative support for the district’s most underserved students—today and for generations to come.
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
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In 2019, the Santa Rosa City Schools Board of Trustees took a bold step to level the playing field for all students by establishing a foundation dedicated to funding enrichment programs, supplies, and resources. This vision was sparked by a wave of undesignated donations following the 2017 Tubbs Fire—and a deep awareness that not all students have equal access to opportunities that enhance learning.
The need was clear: while some schools benefit from strong fundraising through parent groups and booster clubs, others—due to socioeconomic challenges—struggle to provide even the most basic enrichment experiences. Teachers at these schools often pay out of pocket or go without.
Why does this matter? Because enrichment programs like art, music, sports, and STEAM aren’t extras—they’re essential. They help students discover new interests, boost academic success, and support social-emotional wellness. These programs allow students to engage more deeply, learn in diverse ways, and thrive.
The Made in Santa Rosa Education Foundation officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in late 2020. Following a thoughtful strategic planning process and a district-wide assessment of K–8 needs, we launched our first round of grant funding in March 2022—and we’ve been growing our impact ever since.