In June, the Foundation concluded its thirty-third year of providing support for students and teachers in the Hood River County School District. This year the foundation continued to support our students through scholarships for post-secondary education and grants for in-classroom projects, off-campus field trips, and after-school childcare. Our 21-member board organized several fundraisers, including the Derek Hughes stand-up magic show, Hit Machine at The Ruins, and the ongoing 2025 Toyota Corolla Raffle. Thanks to your generosity and the support of the Hood River County community, HRCEF was able to provide nearly $330,000 in student scholarships and $130,000 in program grants this year. Read through for more information on our 2024-25 highlights.
HRCEF Scholarships
Thanks to the generosity of our community and grantors, HRCEF awarded $328,000 to 118 HRVHS seniors and alumni in 2025. Grantors funded over 160 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
HRCSD educators continued to dream up innovative and enriching projects for their students, and this year HRCEF received a record $154,000 in requests for our Impact Teaching Grants. The foundation was able to fund $65,000 in grants for our schools.
The 29 grants this year will reach more than 3,800 students in the district. They fund multilingual teaching aids, tools to increase literacy for special education learners, arts education and supplies, musical instruments, STEM resources, and yearbook cameras, among others. Recipients teach at every elementary school in the county, as well as the Hood River Middle School, Wy’East Middle School, Hood River Valley High School (HRVHS), and the Hood River Options Academy.
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.
For the first time, the Opportunity Fund also provided $2,000 for scholarships to cover Red Cross CPR exam fees for students with financial need. These certifications provide students with an invaluable skill that will also help them secure outdoor recreation/education and childcare jobs.
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 about the Columbia Gorge watersheds and visited the Maryhill Art Museum.
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. In 2025, 45% of seniors applied for local scholarships.
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.
In 2025, in partnership with Parks & Recreation, HRCEF continued to fund swim lessons to ensure equitable access for all kindergarten, second and fourth grade students at all HRCSD elementary schools.
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