Rim of the World Educational Foundation

Students Are Fulfilling Their Dreams 

News Release

by admin

The mission of Rim of the World Educational Foundation is to raise funds to support high quality educational programs that enhance student achievement.

In 1983, the Rim of the World Educational Foundation (ROTWEF) was established as a non-political, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing continuing financial support to preserve and encourage educational excellence in the Rim of the World Unified School District (ROWUSD).

Historically, the level of financial support from the State of California to California’s public schools has fluctuated from year to year, and our School District has taken a major financial hit due to declining enrollment. Therefore, the Foundation directs the funds it generates toward many goals, such as: curriculum enhancement, resource renewal, the implementation of creative and innovative education projects, and the establishment of an endowment fund.

Since its incorporation the Foundation has been operated solely by volunteers, including the Board of Directors who act as governing trustee of the organization on behalf of the community at large and contributors while carrying out the organization’s mission and goals. The Foundation has donated over $600,000 to the schools over the years.

The major programs that the Foundation supports are :

 Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID): Since 2009, funding supports AVID students to increase college-going rates among students who are disenfranchised from the system To date, 100% of graduating seniors have been were accepted to a four-year university.

 Regional Occupational Program/Career Technical Education (ROP/CTE): In 2015, the Foundation expanded its focus on college and career readiness to include ROP/CTE at Rim High School providing a variety of career education programs to prepare over 700 high school students for employment and/or advanced education and training.

 Partnerships with Schools Education Grants: Formerly Education Grants, in 2017 the Foundation changed it’s funding formula to a per student basis in an effort to serve all students at all six of the Rim of the World Unified District schools. Grants provide support for educational programming, technology, field trips, special equipment and professional development.

The Foundation obtains funding to support these programs from three sources: fundraising, grant writing, and endowment income.

The fundraisers include an annual Spring event, the winter Rotary-sponsored “Jump in the Lake”, Bowling for Education, Jenson’s Lobster Fest., Give Big, and Amazon Smile.

Local community financial support has been generously provided by many organizations such as the Rotary Clubs, Soroptimists, Board of Realtors, Mountain Jewish Community, the Senior Groups, and from teachers, administrators, and support staff in the school district through authorized payroll deductions.

Considerable grant funding has been received from well-known supporters such as the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Edison International, Bank of America, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, San Bernardino County Supervisors, Burrtec Waste Management, and The Community Foundation.

Since its incorporation the organization has been operated solely by volunteers, including the Board of Directors who act as governing trustees of the organization on behalf of the community at large and contributors, while carrying out the organization’s mission and goals. The Board currently consists of 18 members (educators, retired educators and administrators, business professionals and community leaders) who live and work in the mountain communities.

The Rim of the World Educational Foundation is proud to engage parents, business and community partners in the support of Rim of the World Public Schools and the academic achievement of ALL students. Because community support is critical to education, we encourage you to join us in supporting our schools and children with your time and donations. For additional information, please visit our website: RimEdFoundation.org

Voted “Best Non-Profit” Foundation in Lake Arrowhead (2016)

Received the 2019 San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and San Bernardino School Boards Association and County Communication Network Education Medal of Honor in the Volunteer in Action/Service Group category for volunteer work, dedication and commitment to public education, as demonstrated in the support the Rim of the World Educational Foundation provides to the educational programs in the Rim of the World Unified School District.

Received the 2019 award for “Service Above Self” from the Lake Arrowhead Rotary Club, a highly prestigious international award that recognizes organizations who give of themselves above and beyond.