RAFT (Resource Area for Teaching)

RAFT is a fabulous organization that is focused on how to truly make a difference for the schools, teachers, students and communities that it serves.

Great organization; management is very focused on operating a cost-efficient organization while maximizing opportunity to fulfill its mission. In addition - very engaged Board membership all focused on responsibly pursuing the mission of RAFT. Go explore the Store to get a good sense what RAFT is all about!

For three decades, RAFT has excelled in providing educators with affordable materials that inspire hands-on STEAM learning experiences. In recent years, RAFT has broadened its impact by offering engaging extended learning opportunities for students through DreamCamps and DreamBox programs, making a tangible difference for both students and teachers.

Equally exciting, the newly created endowment will enable RAFT to further expand its reach and impact in the years to come.

I have served on this Board for over three years. The passion and engagement of the team to provide resources to teachers and parents encouraging hands-on STEAM learning is amazing. It is a delight to watch the joy and delight in young children as they engage in these hands-on activities.

What is heartening is the focus on Title 1 schools, ensuring that students from under-privileged backgrounds are not excluded from these wonderful experiences.

The hands-on-learning that is exciting, engaging, enriching for students and teachers; a huge supply of resources for classroom and beyond -- RAFT has done something very unique here in the bay area

A year on, and I'm even more impressed.
RAFT is a fantastic organization providing educators with affordable, hands-on resources that ignite a passion for STEAM subjects in learners. Their creative approach to learning, coupled with a commitment to repurposing materials, makes a real difference in classrooms.
As a parent and volunteer, I am inspired with how RAFT stimulates students and fosters critical thinking skills. With the new endowment, RAFT will be able to expand its reach and impact even more students and educators. If you're passionate about STEAM education and sustainability, I encourage you to support RAFT's mission.

As a board member of RAFT, I've witnessed firsthand how we're revolutionizing education. Our mission goes beyond providing resources—we're sparking innovation in classrooms across the Bay Area. By transforming industrial materials into engaging learning tools, we're helping teachers create magic without breaking their budgets.

Our organization is more than a resource center. We're a catalyst for hands-on, creative learning that inspires students to think differently. Every workshop, every kit represents our commitment to educational equity and excitement.

Proud to be part of an organization making real educational impact.

RAFT is not only laying a concrete foundation for the current generation but also building a bridge for the future generations. The RAFT leadership and staff have commitment and drive that enables them to foster learning. Providing a platform for accessing tools to give an opportunity to young minds is what RAFT is all about.

Very professional staff - dedicated to the mission of the organization. Financially disciplined, strategic. Definitely an organization with which I am proud to be associated.

Great Mission, Operating Leadership, Culture and business model that helps STEAM education.

I love the way RAFT takes excess materials from local companies (which would otherwise go into landfill) and uses them to create hands-on learning materials for students. They provide these materials/learning kits at minimal cost to schools and educators serving under-resourced school districts and communities. In this way, they help to bridge the equity gap in education. They give these deserving students an opportunity to be curious and to explore and learn educational content.

This is truly an innovative organization with a unique approach: using recycled materials to create STEAM kits for camps, classrooms and after school programs; sending “Maker Mobiles” to underserved communities; providing materials, tools and training for teachers, parents and children; offering amazing summer camps beloved by students and parents alike. Check it out!

RAFT is an amazing organization that has been helping teachers inspire their students for many, many years. As a former Board member, I continue to support RAFT in any way I can because I just love and appreciate what this nonprofit does for educators and students. RAFT's mission of "Inspiring joy through hands-on education" is so accurate. I've seen firsthand how students react to RAFT's math and science kits - pure joy and excitement. So much so that they bring the kits home to show their family and friends.

I have been on the BOD of RAFT for 5 + years. It has always been an inspiring organization, dedicated to diverting useable educational materials to the classroom instead of the landfill. But they have gone above and beyond during Covid, adopting a student-focused approach that led them to partner with schools to distribute hand-on learning resources for students to use at home. That's innovation!

I've been a board member for the past 3 years and have been overwhelmed with the value that RAFT delivers to students and educators. This was very apparent as the organization shifted it's operating model to adapt to the pandemic, and still provide STEAM materials and learning opportunities for educators and students. I'm consistently impressed by RAFT's outreach to the community and network of relationships among educators that result in hands-on learning opportunities for students.

RAFT is a fantastic organization that truly inspires joy in learning. As a teacher in the Bay Area, I have seen firsthand how RAFT is a wonderful resource for educators to obtain repurposed and reimagined materials to help students grow instead of having that material end up in a landfill. In my role as a Board Member, I am impressed that RAFT extends its mission to the students with the greatest needs, especially in light of our current remote learning conditions.

When I first learned about RAFT a number of years ago, I was inspired by its mission in helping educators "inspire joy through hands-on education." I continue to be impressed with RAFT's leadership in providing resources for educators (including parents), inspiring students to learn, and the impact the organization has on our local communities. It makes me proud to serve on the board of RAFT.

I have been working with RAFT as a Board member, volunteer and staff member for 12 years. They make an amazing contribution to furthering STEAM education in the Bay Area. In particular to working with underserved student populations. They do this with a focus on hands on learning, engaging students by bringing joy and fun into the classroom. They support educators locally, providing resources and professional development tools.
The A truly outstanding organization that is transforming the way students learn

My name is Jim Harrington, a current Board Member of RAFT. I have been exposed to RAFT for more than 3 years as a supporter and now a Board Member. This is my first Non Profit Board as I wanted to make sure I can take the time to commit to the long term mission. I have been positively influenced by the mission and vision, execution, Leadership Team and the Board on their affect on education in creating innovative tools and approaches to learning. They have garnered community and education system support and adjusted successfully with the Pandemic on delivery to teachers and students.

My introduction to RAFT started with seeing how engaged, interested, and happy my young children were while building some of RAFT's amazing kits. And it was just an added bonus knowing how important this STEM/STEAM learning is for their development and growth. It is rewarding knowing that a non-profit like RAFT is out there to help teachers get the training and resources they need to help our next generation develop their STEAM skills.

From the very beginning of RAFT, when it was an idea in Mary Simon's wonderful brain, until today when we're working on ways to make the RAFT magic available to the entire world, I've been an enthusiastic, willing participant in everything RAFT does. I've been on the board almost since the beginning and have led two Capital Campaigns, chaired the board and supported all efforts. RAFT is one of the best nonprofits I've ever seen based on it's mission and exciting vision, plus it's creativity in executing that mission. In addition, it is managed in a fiscally responsible manner, enabling a reserve of at least a year's worth of expenses.

I am proud to be on the board of RAFT. This is a great organization that really improves the quality of teaching and learing.

RAFT makes an active and tangible difference in the quality of our children's education. I am so proud to be able to support and endorse them!