Founded in 2003, the Rogers Family Foundation is a private family foundation established by T. Gary and Kathleen Rogers. The Foundation primarily focuses on Oakland’s public schools where it seeks to positively transform the educational experience of students furthest from opportunity. We envision a future in which all Oakland students have the opportunity to attend a high-quality school where inspired and effective teachers personalize learning for every student and community-based supports meet the needs of students and families. While much of our energy centers on our Oakland Education Strategy, the Foundation also selectively supports a variety of other interests, most notably those associated with University of California-Berkeley and the University of California-San Francisco.
In fall 2020, the Foundation announced it will sunset Oakland education grantmaking and operations by 2025. A statement from our Chief Executive Officer Emeritus Brian Rogers can be found here.
The mission of the Rogers Family Foundation is to support organizations and pursue partnerships committed to the highest level of achievement and excellence. With a strategic emphasis on transforming public education in Oakland, California, we make grants, catalyze initiatives, and champion community collaboration to ensure that all students have the opportunity to learn and achieve to their greatest potential.
Our vision is Oakland’s students will succeed in school, thrive in their careers, and engage in their community.
Kathleen Rogers serves as the current member and President of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Oakland public school students are at the heart of our work. We only succeed if students are successful in their academic outcomes and socio-emotional wellbeing.
We hire smart, embrace high expectations, and trust in and build staff capacity to achieve our mission. Each team member has the flexibility and freedom to own and lead work.
We seek to bring flexibility and responsibility to the work. We value community voice and strive to place those closest to the work at the center of the conversation.
We deeply value continuous learning in service of improved outcomes for students. We are not the experts in the room, but are positioned to help find them. We look for opportunities to make strategic connections and bring learning back to our team, grantees, and partners.
We don’t see risk as a barrier to success. We are open to and actively seek out new ideas and approaches to achieve better results for students.