Rochester Education Foundation

REF’s impact

REF collaborates with schools and community partners to fill resource gaps and provide meaningful experiences for Rochester city students. Our work has a profound, positive impact on students’ success. We have an impact on 20,000 students. We are dedicated to helping our students succeed.

The four words that describe REF’s heart and soul are:

Collaboration
Empowerment
Access
Success

Core Programs:

Invest in REF

At REF, we rely on the generosity of donors to keep our organization running strong. Your donation will enable us to continue supporting student success in the city of Rochester.

When you join the Rochester Education Foundation Champions’ Circle, you help spark that love of learning in students across our city. Your generosity expands access to enriching experiences that inspire curiosity, encourage creativity, and help students discover what excites them most.

Champions’ Circle

Learn more

“REF has really changed my music career drastically. Honestly, if I didn’t have the instrument that I have from REF, I probably wouldn’t have performed at Carnegie. Your instrument is your voice. If your voice is restricted, then you can’t make the music you really want to make. If I didn’t have the instrument that I have today, I probably wouldn’t be playing the flute because I wouldn’t be as motivated.”

— Jashanti Henry - Professional musician in NYC
"They help students in a school district with very limited resources have access to the extras that students in a suburban district would have - music and arts programs, extra activities at school, help with scholarships."

- Anonymous
“Thank you for all REF has done for the RCSD music program. I have been a teacher for 10 years and the number of instruments and experiences my students have been able to experience because of the work you’ve done for us is amazing.”

— Teresa Lopez-Jones - Music Teacher School 12
REF is a small but mighty non-profit that works to truly serve the immediate needs of students in the city, particularly so that they can succeed and enjoy every level of school.

- Anonymous
"Horizons at Harley is so grateful for the generous book donation from Rochester Education Foundation. Instilling a love of reading opens our eyes and imaginations and helps us learn that possibilities are endless. Thank you for helping spread the love of reading to our students this summer!"

— Claire Labrosa Horizons at Harley

Check out our Instagram!

Our CAS team was at School 58 helping students and families complete their FAFSA 🙌 They also want to make sure you know about our citywide FAFSA event coming up! 🗓 April 9 ⏰ 4:30–7:00 PM 📍 REOC Visit our website for more details—we hope to see you there! #citywidefafsa #fafsa #aid #rochesterny #collegeaccessandsuccess

REF Smile program and kids at School 22 are having a whale of a time today! @thewhalemobile #smileprogram #rochestereducationfoundation #collegeaccessandsuccess #whalemobile #learningisfun

Thanks to Lynnette Adams for having us. We look forward to being on Rochester In Focus on Sunday 10! #ref #collegeaccessandsuccess #rochesterny #smile #fafsa

The REF Team and student ambassadors are excited to participate in College Sweatshirt Day with the City of Rochester and Rochester City School District! #CollegeSweatshirtDayROC @cityofrochesterny @rcsdnys #rochestereducationfoundation #collegeaccessandsuccess #rcsd #rochesterny

Future Fair is right around the corner! Days are getting limited to be able to participate. Be a career model! Link in bio #rochestereducationfoundation #rochestereducation #collegeaccessandsuccess #fafsa #education rochester smileprogram musicandartsforall givebackgivebooks

Join us and make a difference today! Link in bio #rochestereducationfoundation #rochestereducation #collegeaccessandsuccess #fafsa #education #rochester #smileprogram #musicandartsforall #givebackgivebooks

Happy holidays this season to all of you! See you all in the new years 🎉 #rochestereducationfoundation #rochestereducation #collegeaccessandsuccess #fafsa #education rochester smileprogram musicandartsforall givebackgivebooks

Interested in being a Career Model at Future Fair? Check out our website to learn more! Link in bio #futurefair #futureisbright #rochestereducationfoundation #rochestereducation #collegeaccessandsuccess fafsa education rochester smileprogram musicandartsforall givebackgivebooks

REF is so happy to celebrate Tawana with her cohort of United Way’s African American Leadership Development Program! We look forward to see what the future brings with an amazing leader! Congratulations Tawana 💚

ROC the Day is here! 💚 Your gift today directly supports Rochester city students. Let’s make the biggest impact we can. Give now — link in bio. #Roctheday #rochestereducationfoundation #rochestereducation #collegeaccessandsuccess #fafsa #education #rochester #smileprogram #musicandartsforall #givebackgivebooks

On December 2, our community will come together to ROC the Day — and we need you with us. 💚 With your help, we’ve already accomplished so much this school year: • 10 city classrooms have had their book wish lists filled 📚 • 300 second-graders welcomed animals and educators from Lollypop Farm 🐾 • 200 fourth-graders participated in the RIT Campus Engineering Program 🔧 Your support brings learning to life for Rochester students. An anonymous donor will match gifts up to $5,000 on December 2. Let’s make an even bigger impact together. Link in bio. #roctheday #rochestereducationfoundation #rochestereducation #collegeaccessandsuccess #fafsa #education #rochester #smileprogram #musicandartsforall #givebackgivebooks

Rochester Education Foundation

REF’s impact

The four words that describe REF’s heart and soul are:

Core Programs:

Invest in REF

Champions’ Circle

"They help students in a school district with very limited resources have access to the extras that students in a suburban district would have - music and arts programs, extra activities at school, help with scholarships."

“Thank you for all REF has done for the RCSD music program. I have been a teacher for 10 years and the number of instruments and experiences my students have been able to experience because of the work you’ve done for us is amazing.”

REF is a small but mighty non-profit that works to truly serve the immediate needs of students in the city, particularly so that they can succeed and enjoy every level of school.

"Horizons at Harley is so grateful for the generous book donation from Rochester Education Foundation. Instilling a love of reading opens our eyes and imaginations and helps us learn that possibilities are endless. Thank you for helping spread the love of reading to our students this summer!"

Check out our Instagram!

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