In June, the Foundation concluded its thirty-second year of providing support for students and teachers in the Hood River County School District. 2024 was particularly successful! The Foundation awarded a record number of scholarships and teacher grants, and provided new after-school care scholarships. Our 17-member board worked hard to organize the sold out Dionne Warwick concert and carry out other successful fundraising events. Those efforts build on the strong support for public education the Hood River County community has long demonstrated. The community’s contributions to the Foundation provided scholarships for HRVHS seniors and alumni, after school care for elementary students, swim lessons, and innovative field trips and class projects in all district schools. Read more to learn about the foundation’s programs and successes this school year.
HRCEF Scholarships
Thanks to the generosity of our community and grantors, HRCEF awarded a record $388,000 to 100 HRVHS seniors and alumni in 2024. Grantors funded over 80 scholarship awards ranging from $1,000 to $20,000, recognizing the achievements of our local seniors and supporting them on their educational journey.
This year nearly $50,000 in HRCEF scholarships were funded entirely by community efforts, including HRCSD alumni organizations, concert ticket sales, and HRCEF Board of Directors scholarships.
Impact Teaching Grants
Educators this year continued to come up with inventive and inspiring projects for their students. This year HRCEF received 39 Impact Teaching Grants applications, representing $95,000 in requests.
The 28 funded grants this year include art and science projects, along with new recreational equipment, and books for readers of all ages. Every school in the district received at least one grant this year, and several schools have collaborated to implement grants together, including “Bikes for all!”, which funds a shared set of balance bikes for all HRCSD elementary school students to learn how to ride a bicycle. Click the link below to read about each grant project in the applicant’s words.
Opportunity Fund
The Opportunity Fund is a flexi-fund that supports emergent needs in the school district. This year the Foundation allocated $25,000 from the Opportunity Fund to provide equitable access to after school care in non-Title 1 elementary schools.
After school programs provide a safe environment for children to study and play. With children cared for, parents can continue to work and older siblings can participate in after school sports and extracurricular activities.
Field Trip Grants
HRCEF knows that learning takes place everywhere! The foundation once again provided $30,000 in block grants to all HRCSD elementary and middle schools to fund field trips and learning outside of the classroom.
In addition to classic trips to the Oregon Zoo, OMSI, and Hood River History Museum, students this year learned how to ski at the Meadows Nordic Center, created upcycled art at SCRAP Creative Reuse Collective, and paddled on the Columbia.
HRVHS Local Scholarship Program
HRCEF partners with HRVHS and over 30 local scholarship organizations and grantors to operate the HRVHS Local Scholarship Program each year. 40% of seniors apply for local scholarships annually.
HRCEF stands committed to managing the online platforms HRVHS and HROA seniors use to find and apply for local scholarships, as well as providing technical support and guidance for the HRVHS staff, local scholarship providers, and community volunteers who make these scholarship opportunities possible.
Swim Lessons
Learning to swim is a vital skill for children growing up on the Columbia River. Swim lessons give kids the knowledge and confidence to have an enjoyable and safe summer break.
This year HRCEF committed to funding swim lessons to ensure equitable access for all kindergarten, second and fourth grade students at all HRCSD elementary schools.
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