RIVERSIDE, CA— The Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) Foundation has achieved significant milestones in its endowment for several scholarship funds, paving the way for new awards to students pursuing careers in math, skilled trades, and STEM fields.
Thanks to community support, the foundation has fully endowed three major funds, each valued at $25,000, and is now seeking volunteers to serve on its Scholarship Selection Committee.
“The incredible support from our community during these early years has made amazing things possible for our students,” said Knea Hawley of the RUSD Foundation. “These endowed funds create a lasting legacy of opportunity and open new doors for the next generation.”
Key accomplishments include:
- Glenn Allen King Memorial Fund: This fund is now fully endowed at $25,000 and is on track to award its first scholarships this year to students pursuing careers in mathematics. A $2,500 challenge match helped jump-start the scholarship program.
- Tom Hunt Memorial Scholarship Fund: With a $25,000 endowment, this fund has an additional $4,464 available to be awarded to students entering the trades.
- Athena of Riverside Fund: The fund’s $25,000 endowment will help power the “Ignite Her Mind” program, which is designed to inspire female students to explore careers in STEM.
- The Spirit of Poly Class of 1974 Scholarship: In May 2025, the foundation awarded two $1,000 scholarships to graduating Riverside Polytechnic High School students.
Hawley said, “As these programs expand, the RUSD Foundation is actively recruiting community members to serve on its Scholarship Selection Committee, to review applications and select recipients.”
For more information or to volunteer, contact Knea Hawley at the RUSD Foundation (951) 788-7135 ext. 83818 or email her at Khawley@RiversideUnified.org. To donate, go to: https://www.riversideunified.org/departments/rusd-foundation/make-a-foundation-donation