The Community 2000 Education Foundation is a, 501(c)(3) multi-community, charitable organization focused on building educational endowments and simultaneously funding scholarships, educational project grants, and two kinds of student awards. The Foundation was incorporated in the spring of 2000, and it has evolved into an organization that supports six distinct endowments with funds managed by the Professional Planning Group and the RI Foundation. Five of the six endowments exceed $200,000, and the aggregate value of the six endowments is approaching three million dollars.
Financial support for Community 2000 comes from a combination of spring and fall golfing events, grants and individual contributions. The typical range of individual contributions in a given year has been very large – from $5 to more than $20,000. Total annual Community 2000 revenue has grown steadily since 2000 and is typically $150,000 - $200,000.
Community 2000 "Need-Based" Scholarship
The first of these endowments is the Community 2000 “Need-based” scholarship endowment for residents of Charlestown, Hopkinton and Richmond going on to college or additional technical training. Award winners typically are graduating high school seniors, and the scholarship is renewable annually. The Community 2000 “Needs-based” targeted endowments include funds targeted specifically to support graduates based on specific criteria of their future education. The culinary portion of the endowment is a partnership between Community 2000 and the RI Chapter of the American Culinary Federation and supports students of the Chariho Culinary program seeking additional culinary arts training. Other targeted scholarships are the Community 2000/Chariho Professional Women's, Automotive, Computer Science & Coding, Construction, , Devin Arts, Engineering & Material Science, General Career & Tech, and Marine Technology scholarships.
In addition to the scholarship endowments, Community 2000 supports two project endowments in an effort known as Chariho Community Educational Projects (CCEP).
Chariho Community Innovative Projects (CCIP) Endowment
Thus, the fourth fund is the Chariho Community Innovative Projects (CCIP) Endowment, which was established in January of 2003. Partners in the CCIP effort include the Community 2000 Education Foundation, the Rotary Club of Chariho and the Rhode Island Foundation. CCIP provides $13,000 annually in spring and fall grants ($500-$1,000) to teachers, administrators, support personnel, parents, kids or community groups for ideas, unique projects or services with the potential for immediate impact on the educational process in any of the Chariho schools. A volunteer Grant Review Committee accepts proposals for CCEP grants twice each year (April 1 and October 15). Grants are awarded for selected proposals at the beginning of each school term.
Chariho Community Strategic Projects (CCSP) Endowment
The fifth fund is the Chariho Community Strategic Projects (CCSP) Endowment, which was established in mid-2007. Strategic Project Grants are intended to support efforts that will demonstrably improve academic performance throughout the Chariho Regional School District. The first CCSP project was funded in the fall of 2009. Larger dollar amounts (up to $5,000) are available, and the Grant Review Committee reviews proposals in April 1 and October 15 cycles.
A listing of funded educational projects and application forms for educational project grants can be found at CLICK HERE.
Education is a life-long journey. The ability to help our children through the formative and sometimes difficult part of this journey is special gift that our educators can bestow. It is also a responsibility that the whole community owes to every child. CCEP’s intent is to give our educators greater resources to carry out their role as catalysts for new ideas, opportunities, and unique or special services --- alternatives that might otherwise be lost for lack of available funding.
Many of us can remember a parent, teacher, class, or coach whose special efforts, guidance and inspiration made “a difference” in our education and lives. The overall goal of CCEP is to provide an additional tool for educators as they endeavor to encourage a stimulating atmosphere of excellence in education and life-long learning. The CCEP funding is intended to supplement existing, budgeted funds, providing “early support” from the private sector for ideas, opportunities and services that will substantially advance the educational process throughout the Chariho Regional School District.
Our History
COMMUNITY 2000 EDUCATION FOUNDATION - PO BOX 1161 - CHARLESTOWN, RI 02813
