(PHOTO: Claudine Hanley, president of the Rye Fund for Education. Contributed.)
Giving Rye is a feature series highlighting non-profits and community groups in and around the City of Rye. Today meet Claudine Hanley of The Rye Fund for Education.
Your Name: Claudine Hanley
Name of your organization: The Rye Fund for Education
Your role: President
MyRye.com: Tell us about your organization’s mission
Hanley: The Rye Fund for Education is committed to enriching the learning experience of Rye City School District students to ensure they obtain opportunities and skills necessary for succeeding beyond graduation. We seek to enhance the quality of public education in our community by engaging the support and energies of educators, citizens, parents, students, and alumni. RFE is funded entirely by donations and governed by a volunteer board committed to helping all students reach their potential in academics, arts, and athletics.
How long have you been operating in the Rye area?
Hanley: Founded in March 2013 by dedicated Rye community members, the Rye Fund for Education was created to preserve and enhance the high-quality education Rye schools are known for. In 2022, RFE relaunched with new leadership, a new look, and a renewed commitment to impact. Since then, we’ve proudly invested over $1 million into Rye’s five public schools.
What work is the organization best known for?
Hanley: RFE is best known for awarding grants that elevate learning across Rye schools, supporting curriculum innovation, technology in the classroom, upgraded athletic spaces, enhanced arts programming, and professional development for educators. These grants are designed to have both immediate impact and lasting benefits for students and teachers.
Recent Highlights Include:
- Responsive Classroom Training. Expanded a social-emotional learning program across all elementary schools, providing training for teachers and aides to create more inclusive and connected classrooms.
- Performing Arts Center Renovation. Funded state-of-the-art theatrical lighting at Rye High School, enriching the experience of student performers and audiences alike.
- Virtual Reality Headsets. Equipped 8th-grade classrooms with VR technology, bringing science, literature, and history to life through immersive, hands-on learning.
Looking forward to 2026, what will your top initiatives be?
Hanley: After funding 27 innovative grants last school year, we’re focused on continuing to support bold ideas that expand the limits for Rye students.
Our biggest event of the year, the Spring Gala, will take place on March 26, 2026, at Westchester Country Club. This inspiring evening includes a Grant Showcase, where teachers and students bring our funded programs to life, and a community-wide paddle raise that directly supports our next round of grants. In 2025, the Gala raised a record-breaking $530,000, and we’re excited to build on that momentum.
Tell us about the people RFE serves and how they can get involved with the program
Hanley: RFE serves all five schools in the Rye City School District, from elementary through high school. We are entirely volunteer-run and community-powered.
Ways to Support Us:
- Donate. Every dollar goes directly toward funding educational programs.
- Volunteer. Join our organization. No experience necessary, just a passion for supporting Rye’s schools.
- Attend Events. Whether it’s our Spring Gala or a community coffee, we welcome your involvement.
Are you a 501(c)(3) non-profit with tax exempt status?
Hanley: The Rye Fund for Education is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit and operates as a non-partisan public charity. All donations are tax-deductible.
Looking back across 2025, what were your organization’s top achievements?
Hanley: This past year was one of tremendous growth and success.
- $1 Million Milestone. We proudly surpassed $1 million invested into Rye schools since our relaunch.
- Record-Breaking Gala. Our 2025 Spring Gala raised $530,000, funding a wide range of innovative grants for the current school year.
- 2025 Grants. We funded over $500,000 in grants to the Rye City School District.
How can local residents support your organization?
Hanley: The Fund welcomes the financial donations and volunteer spirit of all community members within the Rye City School District as well as donations from any other sources, including bequests, employer matching, charitable trusts, and gifts from corporations and individuals.
What local Rye residents and area businesses have been the longest, steadiest supporters of your organization?
Hanley: We’re grateful for the steady, heartfelt support from Rye residents and local businesses who have stood by us since the beginning. Whether through annual sponsorships, event donations, or time volunteered, our community partners are the heart of our success.
Tell us about you:
How long have you been in your current role?
Hanley: I’ve served as President of RFE since July 2025 and was a Trustee from the time of our relaunch in 2022.
Is the role full time or part time? Paid or volunteer?
Hanley: It’s a part-time, volunteer position, though during fundraising season it certainly feels full-time. I also balance this with my personal and professional commitments.
How would your friends and family describe you in one word?
Hanley: Loyal
Where did you grow up?
Hanley: I was born and raised in New York City. Growing up there was exciting and full of opportunity. It shaped who I am and gave me a deep appreciation for diversity, creativity, and community. I’m proud to be a New Yorker.
What principles guide you when you have to make a difficult decision?
Hanley: Honesty, fairness, and respect. I try to lead with empathy and integrity, whether I’m making a simple decision or navigating something more complex.
Can you share a time when failure taught you more than success ever could?
Hanley: Early in my career, I took on a project by myself, trying to prove I could handle it without help. I missed the deadline, and it was a tough moment, but it taught me the power of asking for support and the value of collaboration. That lesson has stayed with me, especially in my volunteer work with RFE.
What excites you most about the future—for yourself or for the world?
Hanley: I’m excited by the growing willingness of communities to come together around shared values, especially in education. For myself, I look forward to continuing this work, building partnerships, championing bold ideas, and helping shape a future where every student has the chance to thrive.
Where do you live and how many years have you lived there?
Hanley: I’ve lived on Glendale Road in Rye since 2014, and I feel incredibly lucky to be part of this amazing community.
Thanks Claudine!
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