Education Foundation Information

Why Community Support Matters

Public funding provides an excellent foundation but it does not fully fund the Rowe educational experience.

Each year, the Foundation helps bridge this gap through approximately $1 million in annual support. 

The Roger Rowe Difference

Community investment helps create:

• Small classes and meaningful teacher relationships
• Innovative academics and experiential learning
• Exceptional faculty and staff
• Robust STEM, engineering, robotics, music, drama and visual arts
• Athletics and student enrichment
• A vibrant campus where every child is known, challenged, and supported

Together, these investments have helped Roger Rowe earn recognition as one of the highest-performing public schools in California.

More Than Fundraising

The Rancho Santa Fe Education Foundation is about more than raising dollars.

We build relationships. We welcome new families. We celebrate teachers. We create opportunities for parents to engage. We partner with local businesses that invest back into our school. We believe an exceptional school begins with an exceptional community.

Annually, the District requests a grant from the RSFEF to meet its Fiscal Year Operating Budget. Discussions begin in the Spring for the following school year and the amount is determined by mutual agreement with the District based on projections on budget, public funding sources, and the resulting shortfall. The District Grant is met by funds raised through the Annual Giving Campaign which includes annual and multi-year commitments from District families.

Scholars’ Circle – multi-year commitments

Long-term planning for faculty and special programs is only possible because of the funding commitment provided by our Scholars’ Circle members. Having revenue visibility beyond a 12-month horizon allows the District to attract the best staff and invest in programs with confidence in their potential longevity. Scholars’ Circle families contribute $35,000 – $100,000 or more, usually over 1-5 years. For more information please contact our Scholars’ Circle Coordinators Ashley Haase

Funds raised for the Endowment increase its principal, thus the potential for a distribution made to the District. Annual distributions from the Endowment range from 3-5% of the principal per its Distribution Policy, which is set forth by the Endowment Advisory Board, a subcommittee of the RSFEF Board of Trustees.

Our Past, Present and Future

In 1997, 10 School families came together to establish The Rancho Santa Fe School Endowment Fund (the “Endowment”), the first major initiative in a productive 20-year public-private partnership between the Rancho Santa Fe Education Foundation (RSFEF) and the Rancho Santa Fe School District (the “District”).

The Endowment began with two goals in mind. First, to ensure the hiring of additional teachers to maintain small class sizes and individualized instruction despite declining public funding in California. Second, to provide for long-term financial security for the District. Endowments are structured so that the principal stays intact and any annual distributions are made from investment income.

The Fund has grown to its current value of $6.1 Million through contributions made by school parents and community members and the appreciation of its principal. For more information please contact Endowment Chair Tom Vieira.