About Us

RCEF is an international non-profit organization dedicated to promoting education for people in rural China that empowers them to improve their lives and communities. We support rural educators to develop teaching methods and curriculum in line with our mission.

RCEF was founded in 2005 by three young researchers of Chinese descent from Holland, Hong Kong, and the United States. It is registered as a 501(c)(3) public charity in the United States and donations are tax-deductible in the U.S.

From 2005-2010, RCEF grew from a volunteer-run organization to a staff of 7 overseas and 6 mainland education workers in rural China.  In 2007, RCEF won the prestigious Echoing Green Fellowship for the "world's best emerging social change entrepreneurs” and established a school-based curriculum development and teacher coaching program in Shanxi Province supported by the Chen Yet-Sen Family Foundation, the Clinton Global Initiative, the Tiger Woods Foundation, The Global Fund for Children, and more.

In fall 2010, RCEF helped its mainland Chinese staff members to set up a new domestic Chinese non-profit entity called the Starfish Rural Youth Cultural Research Center. To increase sustainability of the program and local ownership, the Starfish Center now runs the program RCEF started in Yongji, Shanxi Province and RCEF is a grantmaker and resource provider to the Center. 

RCEF strives for financial transparency and works to share methods and experiences with other organizations. On our Publications & Resources page, you will find RCEF's archive of monthly newsletters, curriculum handbooks, reports, and a list of organizations and information sources in the field of rural Chinese education. Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments!