Founded in 2004
Beginnings
The Seven Dreams Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and was incorporated in 2004. The foundation financially supports the Robbinsdale Area Schools. It’s earlier version was founded in 1992 as the Robbinsdale Area Education Foundation. In 2006, two Robbinsdale Area Schools (RAS) School Board members, Tom Walsh and Patsy Green, were inspired to help the foundation grow after attending a Minnesota School Board Association conference. For years the foundation was administered by Community Education staff until Emily Wallace-Jackson, our first Executive Director, was hired in the spring of 2019. Until 2014, the primary income for the foundation’s programs was raised through the district’s Staff Charitable Giving Campaign, which continues to be one important revenue source today. We are grateful that many of our teachers and staff give generously from their paychecks to support the work of the foundation.
Governance - Board of Directors
The first Board of Directors for the foundation was formed in November 2006. Today we have 14 board members who are parents, staff and community members, in addition to one school district administration liaison. The board is made up of dedicated volunteers that also serve on board committees. We also have non-board members that serve on our committees.
Funding Sources and Programs
Before 2006, the foundation financially supported the school district through our Hands-on Learning grants, for which teachers and staff apply. Since then, our funding sources and programs have expanded to include Instruments 4 Kids (used instruments are repaired and donated to the schools to loan to students in need). The biggest effort to increase our resources is the Bird Bash gala fundraiser that began in 2014. It was a successful community event from the start and it is the foundation’s primary fundraiser. Each Bird Bash funds one district-wide initiative designed to benefit large numbers of students throughout the district.