THE ROCKFORD EDUCATION FOUNDATION (REF) WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1991 TO PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR INCREASED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES IN THE ROCKFORD COMMUNITY. THE REF IS AN INDEPENDENT, NON-PROFIT CORPORATION, GOVERNED BY A VOLUNTEER BOARD OF TRUSTEES FROM THE COMMUNITY. TEACHERS, STUDENTS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH INNOVATIVE IDEAS HAVE RECEIVED GRANTS FOR WIDE-RANGING, EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. LARGE & MINI GRANTS ARE AWARDED TWICE ANNUALLY BASED ON THE MERIT OF THE REQUEST AND ITS ABILITY TO PROMOTE EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE. COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANTS ARE REVIEWED AT TIME OF SUBMISSION AND DETERMINED CASE BY CASE, WHEREAS STUDENT GRANTS CAN BE REVIEWED AND APPROVED DURING THE MONTHLY BOARD MEETINGS. THE REF IS PROUD TO AWARD EDUCATIONAL GRANTS TO THE ROCKFORD COMMUNITY.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.1M
+48.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$83K
-24.2% YoY
Grant Count
1
-66.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$83K
+127.5% YoY
About Rockford Education Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Rockford Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on Education, based in ROCKFORD, MI. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grants totaling $83K. Net investment income was $27K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,091,489 | $732,974 | $711,009 |
| Revenue | $609,894 | $294,328 | $260,835 |
| Expenses | $280,475 | $314,686 | $283,949 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $27,440 | $1,778 | $92 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 1 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
6 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Rockford Education Foundation
REF Essential Needs Fund
ROCKFORD EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
REF Grants at Work
ROCKFORD EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Amount
Up to approximately $100,000 total annually (over 50 grants)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Rockford Instrument Fund
ROCKFORD EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Amount
50% of annual instrument rental costs
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LESLIE POOT | CHAIRPERSON | 3 | — |
| JOHN GREKO | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| TIM BREADON | VICE CHAIRPE | 2 | — |
| KATY SCHEFFLER | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| LAURA BARGWELL | EXECUTIVE AT | 2 | — |
| JESSICA VISSER | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| KRISTY BECKER | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| LORI BOSS | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| JARED GAUSS | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| HEIDI LAPLANTE | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| ANNA LEITCH | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| CATHY MANNOR | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| KELLI ROSE | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| KATY SCHEFFLER | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| MARY KAY SHAVER | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| BOB WELLS | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| ELIZABETH MEYER-KRAFF | EXECUTIVE DI | 32 | $59,373 |
| TRISH CASTIGLIONE | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| KRISTIN LONG | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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