Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Ridge Meadows Education Foundation (RMEF)

The Ridge Meadows Education Foundation (RMEF) is a public foundation established by the Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Board of Education to enhance the quality of public education in School District 42, British Columbia. Operating at arm’s length from the Board, it receives, generates and distributes financial resources to support students and schools in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows. With assets of about $1.7 million, the foundation manages endowed funds that sustain ongoing school grants, bursaries and scholarships.

RMEF coordinates fundraising initiatives and legacy gifts, then channels these resources into priority areas such as enhanced fine arts, sports and specialty programs. Its goal is to encourage students to stay in school and experience a fuller, more rounded education. The foundation serves as a focal point for donors who wish to establish named funds, memorial scholarships or other legacy vehicles, while ensuring that contributions are safeguarded and used for their intended educational purposes.

Through its grants program, RMEF accepts applications from SD42 school principals, teachers, Parent Advisory Councils and education partners. Grants help launch or expand projects that promote healthy living, support fitness and sports, enrich fine arts and cultural programming, or develop innovative specialty initiatives that benefit the wider student population. The foundation evaluates applications within the limits of available funds and awards school grants annually.

RMEF also administers a broad portfolio of bursaries and scholarships for graduating students. These awards target diverse interests and needs, including newcomers and refugees, criminology and justice studies, trades training, early literacy, music and performing arts, mathematics and science excellence, wellness and human services, and many other fields. Named funds such as the Justice Scholarship, Education Dream Endowment Fund, and various memorial scholarships provide recurring support to SD42 graduates pursuing post-secondary education.

The foundation offers donors multiple planned giving options including bequests, endowments, life insurance gifts, RRSP/RRIF designations, securities transfers, gifts-in-kind and charitable remainder trusts. These instruments allow individuals and families connected to the community to honour loved ones, support specific schools or subject areas, or create lasting bursary and scholarship funds. RMEF manages these endowments, invests capital for long-term sustainability, and oversees annual disbursements to students and schools.

RMEF’s funding directly benefits students in School District 42, from elementary through secondary levels. School grants have supported outdoor learning environments, music and drama programs, wellness and leadership initiatives, sensory spaces and inclusive communication tools. At the same time, tens of thousands of dollars in bursaries and scholarships are awarded each year to graduating students, reducing financial barriers to post-secondary education.

By combining community philanthropy with a structured granting and scholarship framework, the Ridge Meadows Education Foundation plays a central role in enriching public education and expanding opportunities for young people in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.