Red Rhino Fund
Founded in 2007, the Red Rhino Fund is an endowed, charitable fund run by a nine-member student board with faculty advisors. At its core, the Fund’s mission is an extension of the school motto, Not to be served, but to serve. The group works to create positive change in the Greater Waterbury (CT) community for children, by awarding nominal monetary grants and promoting local organizations in support of education, literacy, and the arts. Along the way, Taft students gain solid perspectives on the importance of philanthropic work, and develop fundamental knowledge, understanding, and skills to continue philanthropic, not-for-profit work later in life.
The board is charged with learning about not-for-profit trusteeship, growing the endowment through new and innovative fundraising initiatives, creating marketing strategies, and awarding grants to community organizations. Board membership is determined through a competitive application and interview process. Officers are elected each year.
Current Officers
2021-22 Red Rhino Fund Officers
- President: Mackenzie Kloss
- Treasurer: Townsend Vogt
- Grants Committee Co-Chair: William Theiss
- Marketing Committee Co-Chair: Ellie Myles
- Special Events Committee Co-Chair: Finn Gateley
- Diversity Committee Chair: William Theiss
- Advisors: Mr. Danaher, Mrs. Pulawski
- Vice President/Secretary: Maheen Ahmad
- Grants Committee Chair: Elise Taylor
- Marketing Committee Chair: Finn Gateley
- Special Events Committee Chair: Figo Wang
- Nominating and Governance Chair: Bo Owen
- Diversity Committee Co-Chair: Figo Wang
Grant Distributions
Board members conduct detailed research and reviews of each grant applicant and proposal, which may include volunteer work with the organization to build personal connections and more fully understand the impact of their mission, general site visits, and participation in after-school activities. Grant monies are presented in February to the charities chosen by the Red Rhino Fund board.
Recent grant recipients include:
- Police Activity League of Waterbury
- Arts for Learning Connecticut
- Waterbury Youth Services
- United Way of Greater Waterbury
Donations
All gifts made to the Red Rhino Fund are tax deductible and may be sent to:
The Taft School Development Office
110 Woodbury Road
Watertown, CT 06795
Checks should be made payable to:
Taft School
Memo: Red Rhino Fund
For more information email: RedRhinoFund@taftschool.org
