RISE: Rural Indigenous School Equity
Through community-driven partnerships, the RISE initiative delivers tailored resources to address systemic barriers and ensure students and teachers in under-resourced regions have what they need to thrive.
Tailored Support. Lasting Impact.
Through community-driven partnerships, the RISE initiative delivers tailored resources to address systemic barriers and ensure students and teachers in under-resourced regions have what they need to thrive.
RISE: Rural and Indigenous School Equity initiative is committed to creating lasting impact in rural and Indigenous communities by addressing the unique challenges their teachers and students face. Through close collaboration with local educators, KINF conducts in-depth needs assessments to deliver essential resources that empower both teachers and students to thrive.
With over 9 million rural public school students nationwide, RISE recognizes the significant socio-economic barriers and limited educational funding these communities can face. By tailoring support to honor each community’s strengths and building meaningful, ongoing partnerships, RISE fosters equitable learning environments where every teacher can teach and every student can fully engage in their education.
News
RISE Program Delivers $500,000 in School Supplies to Remote Hawai’i Schools
What does it take to ship more than 53,000 pounds of school supplies across an ocean to one of Hawai’i's most remote regions? The Kids In Need Foundation (KINF) is about to find out.
Read the Story about RISE Program Delivers $500,000 in School Supplies to Remote Hawai’i Schools
Partnering With Communities to Create Lasting Impact
By working in close partnership with local communities to identify the specific conditions impacting students’ ability to fully engage in their education, RISE ensures that each initiative is tailored and rooted in the community’s lived experience. Through this collaborative model, the Kids In Need Foundation (KINF) leverages its strong partnerships and distribution expertise to deliver resources where they are most needed—and where they will have the greatest impact.
Through deep listening, relationship-building, and co-creation,
KINF is committed to supporting learning environments where every student has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.
Community Driven
Every community holds valuable knowledge about the needs and strengths of its students. KINF engages directly with local educators, families, and community leaders to understand the barriers students may face and identify the most effective ways to support learning. This locally informed, equity-first approach allows us to co-design solutions that are meaningful and sustainable.
Resource Provision
Guided by community insight, KINF provides essential classroom supplies—including notebooks, pencils, and social-emotional learning tools—along with additional requested resources such as menstrual products, hygiene kits, and air purifiers. These supports are intended to reduce systemic barriers and enable students to participate in their education with confidence and dignity.
Equitable Learning Spaces
KINF is committed to cultivating learning spaces that are inclusive, affirming, and responsive to the diverse needs of rural and Indigenous students. By collaborating with local stakeholders, we strive to ensure that every student is equipped not just with materials—but with a supportive environment that fosters belonging, readiness, and academic engagement.
