Invest in the Students and Schools You Serve Every Day
As a Rockford Area Schools employee, you see firsthand the difference that additional opportunities and resources can make for students.
The Rockford Education Foundation Employee Giving Program makes it easy to support students through automatic payroll deduction.
Whether you give $1 or $20 per paycheck, your gift helps provide innovative learning opportunities, classroom resources, student experiences and support where it is needed most.
Give Through Payroll. Fuel Opportunities for Students.
Your employee gift is more than a payroll deduction. When you participate in Employee Giving, you are also a member of the Rocket Launch Community.
That means you receive the same Rocket Launch membership benefits and perks as our other monthly giving members.
This form will be sent to the district office for processing.
Employee Giving = Rocket Launch Membership
When you participate in Employee Giving, you automatically become part of the Rocket Launch Community—REF’s year-round monthly giving community committed to fueling opportunities for Rockford students.
There’s no need to sign up separately. Your Employee Giving participation makes you a Rocket Launch Member and includes the same member perks and opportunities.
Rocket Launch Members Perks include:
- Early access to Fall Event tickets
- Monthly prize drawings and giveaways
- Recognition as a valued REF supporter
- Special member communications and impact updates
Exclusive Rocket Launch member opportunities
And as our Rocket Launch membership community grows, so will the opportunities to recognize and thank our members.
Small Gifts. Big Impact.
Every contribution adds up.
- $1 per paycheck → helps fund classroom materials and resources.
- $5 per paycheck → supports student enrichment opportunities.
- $10 per paycheck → helps launch new projects and experiences.
- $20 per paycheck → becomes a significant investment in innovation and student opportunities.
Imagine the Impact If Every Staff Member Participated.
Even a small gift from every employee could significantly expand the opportunities REF can provide to students across Rockford Area Schools.
Together, small gifts create extraordinary impact.
Limited-Time Thank You Gift
Get our signature White Yeti Tumbler!
Receive a signature REF tumbler when you:
- Start giving at $10/month or more ($5 per paycheck)
- Increase your current gift to $10/month or more
Must enroll or increase by September 30th, 2026.
This form will be sent to the district office for processing.
Already Giving? Join the 2026 Mission Crew
Current Employee Giving participants can make an even greater impact this September.
Increase your monthly giving my $5 ($2.50 per paycheck) or more by September 30, 2026 and receive our limited-edition 2026 Mission Crew Kit.
Your exclusive kit includes:
10 Student-Designed Thank-You Cards
Created by Rockford students to celebrate the people who help make their opportunities possible.
Exclusive Mission Crew Socks
Designed exclusively for Rocket Launch Members.
Exclusive Acrylic Mission Crew Magnet
A limited-edition Rocket Launch keepsake you can proudly display.
A little more each month can make a big difference when we do it together.
Complete the Employee Giving Form with your new payroll deduction amount. The form will be sent to the district office for processing.
Mission Crew Kits are limited and available while supplies last.
Start Small. Grow When You’re Ready
- New to Employee Giving? Start with just $1 per paycheck ($2/month)
- Already participating? Consider increasing your gift when it works for you.
Every employee who participates strengthens our ability to provide opportunities for students and teachers throughout the year.
How Employee Giving Works
Step 1
Complete the Employee Giving Form
Choose the amount you’d like deducted from each paycheck.
Step 2
Submit Your Form
The form is automatically sent to the district office for processing.
Step 3
Your Payroll Deduction Begins
Your selected amount is deducted automatically through payroll.
Step 4
You’re Part of Rocket Launch
Your Employee Giving participation automatically makes you part of the Rocket Launch Community.
It’s that simple.
Help Us Reach Our Goal
Our goal is to grow Employee Giving participation and increase the impact we can make for students each year.
Whether you’re a first-time donor or increasing your current gift by just $1 per paycheck, your participation matters.
Every Staff Member. Every Gift. Every Student
This form will be sent to the district office for processing.