Our Mission & Impact

Empowering Every Student in Reading School District to Dream, Believe, and Achieve

At the Reading Education Foundation, our mission is to create opportunity and equity through innovative educational support. Our impact reaches every student in the Reading School District—from Pre-K through 12th grade—empowering them to dream, believe, and achieve.

We are committed to expanding educational access and inspiring the next generation of leaders by funding programs that go beyond the basics and spark curiosity, confidence, and ambition in the classroom and beyond.

Our Purpose & Leadership

The Reading Education Foundation (REF) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding educational experiences for all Reading School District students. Our mission is to fund innovative learning opportunities that promote academic excellence, creativity, and lifelong success.

We fund district-wide, school-based, and teacher-led grant initiatives that bring bold ideas to life in Reading classrooms. As we meet the needs of today’s students, we are also working toward building a $5 million endowment that will sustain future generations for years to come.

REF is led by a passionate team of Reading High School alumni, current and former educators, and community leaders. Our Executive Director, Gordon G. Hoodak, spent his 47-year career in the Reading School District, including 37 years as principal of Lauer’s Park Elementary School. Since 2020, Gordon has worked closely with district administration and the REF Board to develop a strategic plan focused on fundraising, event management, grant distribution, and long-term growth.

How We Drive Impact

We work directly with the Reading School District’s leadership teams to identify where support is most needed and where our funding can make the greatest difference.

The Reading Education Foundation funds:

  • Teacher & School Innovation Grants

    • Supporting creative classroom initiatives and enrichment opportunities.

  • District-Wide Programs

    • Bringing large-scale ideas to life that benefit entire schools or grade levels.

  • Annual Fund-A-Cause Campaigns

    • Focused fundraising efforts that rally the community around a specific project.

  • Long-Term Endowment Planning

    • Ensuring future students have access to life-changing opportunities for decades to come.

Our Impact in Action

Since our founding in 2021, REF has provided more than $140,000 in funding to support meaningful learning experiences for students across the Reading School District.

2024

  • Awarded 9 Legacy Grants totaling $22,592

  • Raised $46,475 through Fund-A-Cause to:

    • Build hydroponic gardens in middle schools

    • Provide a Broadway Experience for the cast, crew, and orchestra of the high school show cast

2023

  • Awarded 8 teacher/school grants totaling $24,300

  • Raised $25,000 for Legacy Grants through Fund-A-Cause

  • Donated $15,000 to support the RHS Alumni Project

2022

  • Funded classroom and school-based grants

  • Awarded $10,000 to RHS JROTC to attend national competitions

  • Awarded a $10,000 planning grant to launch the student-led RHS Alumni Project

2021

  • Sent 1,400 fourth graders to STEM workshops at the Science Research Institute

  • Funded 2-year scholarships for 20 middle school students to attend SRI afterschool and summer programs

Sustaining the Mission

REF raises funds through a combination of:

  • Individual and corporate donations

  • Private and government grant opportunities

  • Annual fundraising events held throughout the year

We are always looking to build new partnerships that share our vision for student success and community growth.

Join Us in Making a Difference

Your support helps create meaningful change in the lives of thousands of students. Whether you give once, become a recurring donor, sponsor an event, or simply share our mission, you’re helping build a better future—one classroom at a time.

Together, we can transform education in Reading. Let’s continue to dream, believe, and achieve.