Our History

Richmond Public Schools (RPS) serves nearly 22,000 students and in 53 schools. Although RPS has much to celebrate, it is faced with limited resources. Through fundraising efforts and collaborations, the Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation (RPSEF) seeks private contributions for RPS needs that do not receive adequate public funds.

The Foundation was created in 2001 and completed a restructuring process in 2010 resulting in the hiring of its first executive director. Since then, RPSEF has launched enrichment programs for students, increased the number of college scholarships offered, supported professional development for teachers, and increased student participation in programs such as robotics competitions and Model United Nations.

With the release of the RPS Dreams4RPS strategic plan in early 2019, RPSEF began its most recent transformation from an organization that both raised funds for the schools and operated, to one focused on major gifts fundraising for Dreams4RPS priorities. A critical element of this shift was to move out of direct program operation. In late 2020, the RPSEF transitioned its RVA Future College and Career advising program to RPS. At the end of 2020, RPSEF ended its TechConnect after-school program.

Concurrent to these transitions, RPSEF has worked with RPS leadership to identify fundraising priorities within Dreams4RPS and to build a campaign to address these priorities. RPSEF's fundraising priorities are focused on RPS200, literacy, language justice, CTE, and teacher retention and recruitment.

In Richmond Public Schools there are smart, creative teachers, dedicated staff, and a superintendent who is a strategic, visionary leader. But they can’t do it alone. The Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation enriches the school experience of students so they will graduate ready to go to college…ready to pursue a career…ready to be engaged members of our community.