Grant Application Process

Our Mission

The Rumson Education Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the educational experience of all Deane-Porter and Forrestdale School students. Through community fundraising and the annual collaborative grant making process, the REF provides funding for innovative projects, initiatives and equipment that enrich the curriculum and the learning environment with the Rumson School District.

Grant Eligibility

Teachers, administrators, staff members and individual members of the community are eligible to apply for grants from the REF. The 2022-2023 grant application process has now closed. If you missed the current review, please feel free to submit your grant at any time and we will hold it until the next grant review.

Grant Information

For more information regarding the Grant Funding Procedures, Guidelines, Checklist and Application, please see below.

Please contact Co-Presidents Lauren Salata or Ciara Dagostino with any questions: Rumsoneducationfoundation@gmail.com

Grants Awarded

SPOTLIGHT: Flexible Furniture

The REF completed a four-year, $800,000 grant request made by Dr. Bormann and the Board of Education for the purchase of flexible furniture for the Deane-Porter and Forrestdale Schools.

Thanks to this wonderful community and in conjunction with the Board of Education’s classroom renovations, the students and teachers now have new mobile desks, cubbies, bookshelves, storage cabinets, writable cloud tables, marker boards, stackable Oodle stools and more!

Digital Program and Photography Addition

"One of my big goals this year was to take our already amazing art program and incorporate an in depth digital art component. Students have been exploring the use of shape, color theory, transparency, photo editing, and other digital techniques. Please see a few work samples attached to this email. The addition of cameras opens the doors to us to explore the world of digital photography. When the weather gets warm, I will begin to pilot some photography work with a few of my classes, before implementing it school wide at the end of this year, beginning of next year. The cameras will allow us for the first time to explore and create a digital photography program within our growing program." - Matthew Miranda, Forrestdale Art Educator

Deane-Porter Outdoor Classroom

Opened in 2023 and located by the Deane-Porter science rooms, this modern outdoor classroom is available for all students at Deane-Porter. This facility will enrich our science and STEM agriculture programs. The circular seating instills a sense of belonging and encourages all students to participate and the awning covering provides shade protection.

Forrestdale Outdoor Classroom

Opened in 2021 and located between the 4th and 7th grade wings at Forrestdale, lies an innovative outdoor classroom funded by members of our school community. The classroom is situated next to the greenhouse and REF funded aquaponics lab, mushroom farm and apple orchard, enriching our science and agriculture STEM curriculum.

Smart Boards

Interactive white boards were installed in all classrooms in 2019-2020. This was a multiple phase grant totalling over $300,000.

Aquaponics

The Aquaponics program is up and running, enhancing the Science curriculum for multiple grades.