The Opportunity Fund is a flexible support fund dedicated to increasing extra-curricular and co-curricular program access for students and families in the Hood River County School District. To date, HRCEF has provided $425,000 to ensure all students have the opportunity to participate in programs that expand and enrich their education.
HRCEF works with the school district and community partners to identify and and address current and emerging needs, funding a wide range of programs at all HRCSD schools with a focus on our elementary and middle schools.
Historically, the Opportunity Fund has supported an intramural middle school futsal league, a district-wide literacy program, and Red Cross CPR certifications for high school students.
Today, the fund supports diverse opportunities for students, including swim lessons, Arts in Education, SECRETS, music and athletic fee waivers, and scholarships for after-school care. In 2025, with support from the Farmer’s Conservation Alliance, HRCEF created Little Steps, Big Dreams, a program to help families of kindergartners start a 529 College Savings plan.
Use the menu links to explore current Opportunity Fund programs. All Opportunity Fund initiatives are funded by HRCEF and managed by the school district. If you have questions about how these programs can benefit your student, please contact your school staff.
Accessible After-School Care
HRCEF provides need-based scholarships for after-school care at four elementary schools. After-school care provides a safe space for students to learn and play while parents work.
Arts in Education
The Artist in Residence Program brings visual, performing, literary, and media arts directly into schools, giving students hands-on opportunities to explore creativity and self-expression, all led by professional artists. HRCEF provides grants to ensure all 1st and 3rd grade students in the school district can experience the joy of learning through art.
Learning Local Ecology with SECRETS
Through hands-on lessons in the classroom and outdoors, students learn about ecology, local plants and wildlife, and the natural connections in their own backyard. SECRETS is a co-curricular program offered by the Gorge Discovery Center, and an HRCEF support ensure every 5th grade student experiences this unique learning opportunity.