Our Mission

Rochester Education Foundation's mission is to provide programs and resources to improve learning and success for all Rochester city students through partnerships with educators, businesses, and the community.

Video courtesy of our friends at Antithesis Advertising.

Please note: this video is from REF's earlier years. We keep it here because it shows the heart of REF. Jahshanti Henry, the flute player featured in the video, became the 2018 REF Musical Instrument Award Winner during his junior year of high school. He has performed at Carnegie Hall on multiple occasions, and graduated from Eastman Music School in December 2023. You can see pictures of him playing at the REF 2022 and 2023 events in the picture gallery.

Guiding Principles

  • Strong city schools are an economic, cultural and social imperative for the future of Monroe County.

  • The greater Rochester, NY community will respond to opportunities to support Rochester city school children.

  • Independent community-based organizations must play a central role in building and sustaining broad support for public education.