Founded in 2004

Beginnings

The Seven Dreams Education Foundation (SDEF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, created and led by invested Robbinsdale Area Schools (RAS) parents, teachers, and community members. Officially incorporated in 2004, SDEF is a reincarnation of the Robbinsdale Area Education Foundation (established 1992). In 2006, two RAS School Board members, Tom Walsh and Patsy Green, helped the foundation acquire official non-profit status, and expanded SDEF’s impact. RAS Community Education staff managed SDEF until 2019, when the organization became independent of the district, operating under the leadership of an Executive Director and self-governing Board of Directors. Funding for Seven Dreams initiatives comes from RAS Staff Charitable Giving, our annual Bird Bash Gala, community donations, and competitive external grants.

Governance - Board of Directors

The first Board of Directors for the foundation was formed in November 2006. Today we have 16 board members who are parents, staff, and community members, in addition to a school district administration liaison. Board members guide the direction and impact of Seven Dreams by engaging with the district community, collecting feedback, and upholding our core mission: to help every learner achieve their dreams.

Support and Programs for Robbinsdale Area Schools

Started in 2003, our initial and longest running program are annual competitive teacher grants, called Hands-on Learning grants. Since then, our funding sources and programs have expanded to include Instruments 4 Kids (used instruments are repaired and donated to the schools to loan to students in need) and district-wide initiatives. To fund these expansions, SDEF established our annual Bird Bash gala fundraiser in 2014. It was a successful community event from the start and has historically served as the foundation’s primary fundraiser. As we adapt to a post-COVID world, we continue to expand the both resources we seek and the impact we make through monthly giving and annual donations. This guarantees the longevity of SDEF as a champion of RAS educators.