Our Purpose
Education Ignites Opportunity: The Rush City Education Foundation (RCEF) partners with the Rush City Public Schools community to ignite curiosity, creativity, and a passion for learning. Since 2013, RCEF has awarded more than $170,000 to fuel the dreams and efforts of students, teachers, and staff.
Join us in igniting brighter futures—one opportunity at a time!
Foundation Impact
Scholarships
Over $70,000 Awarded
Educator Grants
Over $109,000 Awarded
Be a Part of the Team
Your donation can make a huge impact on students in the Rush City School District. If you would like to give online, please click on the Donate Now button.
2025 Scholarship Winners
Nine RC seniors were awarded scholarships to support their educational dreams.
Scholarships were awarded at RCHS on May 19, 2025. Pictured here (l to r): Ruth Widenstrom, Liam Grodijendo (kneeling); Dennis Pederson, DaLyla Oberg, McKenna Garr, Autumn Stream, Maggie Schultz, Braden Niessen, Carlos Quito, Megan Vacinek and Kristin Papke.
KEY PROGRAMS
Grants
Rush City teachers have bold ideas—and RCEF helps ignite them. Our grants turn creative classroom visions into reality by supporting innovative approaches that engage and energize learning. By working directly with educators, RCEF stays flexible and responsive, backing ideas that spark curiosity and growth. We rely on the passion of Rush City staff to help make a lasting impact.
Scholarships
The Rush City Education awards scholarships to graduating seniors who demonstrate academic excellence, community service, school involvement, and clear career goals. These scholarships are made possible through generous support from individuals, estate gifts, and corporate donors. Learn more about how these contributions ignite student success.
Events
Rush City Education Foundation hosts events that bring the community together to celebrate learning, support students and educators, and raise vital funds for our scholarship and grant programs. These events strengthen community connections and inspire continued investment in lifelong learning, helping ignite opportunities in Rush City classrooms—and beyond.
Dollars Awarded for Grants and Scholarships
Helping Our Students
Upcoming Events
July 10, 2025
Chisago County Fair Booth
Stop by the Rush City School District booth in the Fairground’s Commercial Building starting on Thursday, July 10 until Sunday 13. We want to catch up with our RCHS alumni and invite you to register to keep in touch. The Fair is the perfect place to bump into all your high school friends, teachers and staff.
August 16, 2025
Rockin’ Rush City
Join the fun, music, cars and food trucks at the 7th Annual music and car show right here in Rush City. RCEF will be hanging around to greet our visitors and to encourage alumni – from 2024 and all the years before – to support Rush City Schools. The music starts at 11 a.m.; car show at noon. For more info go to www.rushcitycarshow.com.
Scholarships Ignite Opportunity
Starting my neuroscience journey at the University of Minnesota is exciting — but figuring out how to pay for it is a challenge. Getting the scholarship from the Rush City Education Foundation means so much to me. I’m incredibly thankful to be chosen out of so many amazing students.
College is expensive, and I want to avoid accumulating significant debt while pursuing my nursing degree. The Rush City Education Foundation scholarship represents meaningful community support by helping ease the financial burden.
Becoming an anesthesiologist isn’t a quick trip—it’s a 15-year marathon of schooling and serious commitment. That also means a serious price tag. The Biese Scholarship from the Rush City Education Foundation is helping me take that first step without tripping over the cost.