The Race For Education
| Last updated on February 22, 2011 |
The Race For Education (RFE), a national 501(c)(3) scholarship organization, enables children of low-income equine industry families, as well as children who want to pursue an equine-related career, to obtain a college degree by providing tuition support; financial literacy training to help students minimize their debt load; mentoring services to provide students with emotional support; and permanent jobs upon graduation.
Description:
The Race For Education is funded by various parties related to or with an interest in the Thoroughbred racing industry.
Racehorse Nomination Program allows owners to donate a percentage of a horse’s earnings to RFE. To date, more than 600 horses have been nominated to the program.
Applications and eligibility requirements can be found at www.raceforeducation.org.
For more information on the scholarship programs, email info@raceforeducation.org
or call (859) 252-8648.
History:
The Race For Education (RFE) was established in 2002 by Elisabeth Jensen and Bill Casner to provide educational programs and college scholarships to young people in the equine and agriculture industry with significant financial need.
Since its inception the organization has awarded over $2,500,000 in college scholarships. The Race For Education commits not just to getting students though college financially, but provides mentoring, tutoring and partnership to make sure students are success in life as well. Although the majority of the students involved in The Race For Education program come from high risk and extreme need backgrounds, the graduation rate is over 70% while the national average is about 50% and 90 % of RFE students make the dean’s list.
In 2005 with an Assets For Independence grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, The Race For Education established a Financial Literacy Program to help students who, based on their background, would probably otherwise receive no financial guidance. In 2008 this program was recognized by The White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI), along with the President’s Council on Financial Literacy.
In addition to RFE’s other student service programs, the New York Youth Outreach Program assists younger, adolescent age students in preparing for college through weekly and monthly programs. Due to a considerable need in the community and urging from loyal donors, the New York Youth Outreach Program for 7th graders was established in August 2009 and will continue for the next academic year and include 8th graders as well.
To help fund the various programs, RFE has established annual fundraisers which include The Race For Education 5K/10K Run, held in beautiful Midway, Kentucky, each October; and the Thoroughbred Charities of America Stallion Season Auction in December.
The organization is managed by a board of directors and an executive committee with both professional and academic experience. Approximately 75% of its funding comes from private individuals and foundations and is 25% federally funded. The organization also receives an annual contribution that covers all operational expenses. This allows 100% of the contributions received to go directly to student programs and services.
Contact person: Mandy Otis, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (859) 252-8030
Address:
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1818 Versailles Road
Lexington, KY 40504
(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.raceforeducation.org
Directions:
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On the right, five stoplights from New Circle Road heading toward downtown Lexington. |
| Last updated on February 22, 2011 |
