Scholarships

The Ravenna Community Educational Foundation (RCEF) offers four $1,000 scholarships annually to support graduating seniors in pursuing their career goals. Two scholarships are available for students attending an accredited university or college, while two are designated for those entering a trade or vocational program. These scholarships are not solely based on academic achievement but are awarded to students who demonstrate a well-rounded commitment to intellectual, moral, physical, and social growth. RCEF is dedicated to helping Ravenna Public Schools graduates achieve their post-secondary education goals, whether through college, trade school, or other accredited institutions. Students interested in applying for an RCEF scholarship for university or college should visit https://muskegonfoundation.org/scholarships/for-students/. Those seeking a trade or vocational scholarship will receive the application via email from the Ravenna High School principal or can request it directly from the principal. For more information about RCEF scholarships and how to apply, please contact the Ravenna High School.

Grants

As part of its mission, the Ravenna Community Educational Foundation (RCEF) provides financial and other resources to enhance and expand educational opportunities for Ravenna students. To ensure these funds are distributed effectively, the RCEF Board of Trustees has established clear policies and procedures to guide the grant process. These grants support innovative classroom projects, extracurricular educational programs, and other initiatives that enrich learning experiences beyond the standard curriculum.

Policy for Grants

To provide enhanced educational opportunities for the Ravenna community, RCEF offers the following grants:

  • Mini Grants (value up to $500) are awarded by the RCEF Board of Trustees.

  • Student Initiated Grants (value up to $500) must be initiated by one or more students and will be awarded by the RCEF trustees.

  • Special Grants – are determined yearly by the RCEF Board of Trustees based upon need and funds availability.

The amount of grant funds available each year will be based upon a recommendation by the Treasurer as part of the overall budget development process and board approval.

Many factors are considered in reviewing grant applications, but the RCEF Board of Trustees will look more favorably upon grants that:

  • Impact a large number of learners

  • Are creative and innovative in nature

  • Include items that can be used more than one year

  • Are new start-up programs
    (exceptions can be made at the discretion of the RCEF Board of Trustees)

Conversely, the RCEF Board of Trustees prefers not to approve grants involving consumable items such as food, t-shirts, prizes, etc.

Grant requests by Ravenna Public Schools staff that involve technology related items (software, hardware, peripherals, etc.) must have prior approval of the Technology Department. All items approved by the RCEF Board of Trustees are intended for use as outlined in the grant application and as such are considered the property of the school district or other entity and not the individual applicant(s).

Procedures

It is requested that where possible items purchased with RCEF funds be stamped or tagged to reflect the contribution of RCEF. Such a stamp or tag should say, for example, “Provided by Ravenna Community Educational Foundation for the benefit of Ravenna Public Schools.”
Payment – Upon completion of the approved grant, payment will be made as follows: 

1.If ordering using the district credit card, be sure to inform your Administrator you are using RCEF Grant Funds. In cooperation with your building office, place the order.

2. If ordering and mailing a check with the order, request a check using the Internal Check Request form.  Send the check request and completed order form to Jeany Robinson in the Business Office. 

3. If placing the order on your own, send receipts and a completed Internal Check Request form to Jeany Robinson in the Business office. Include to whom and where the reimbursement check should be sent. Prior to ordering, secure a Tax-Exempt form from the Business Office as taxes will not be reimbursed.

All payment submissions must be made prior to May 30th of the school year in which the grant is approved. Grants will NOT carry over to the following year unless there are extenuating circumstances which prevent completion of the grant as scheduled. In such cases the RCEF Board of Trustees can approve a payment extension.