named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Comprehensive Practice Class (综合实践课)
Interdisciplinary, inquiry-based learning program for Grades 4–5 focusing on local themes such as "Noodles in Shanxi" and "A Journey with Peaches" to connect students with their community and culture.
Individualized Tutoring
One-on-one mentoring for students with learning difficulties, including academic support and life skills training.
Reading Class (绘本阅读课)
Student-centered literacy program that builds reading habits, communication skills, and empathy through picture books and group discussion for Grades 1–3.
Social-Emotional Learning Lessons
Curriculum covering self-awareness, interpersonal relationships, and problem-solving skills delivered to Grade 1–5 students to support mental well-being.
Summer Camp
Month-long program offering academic guidance, reading, writing, and project-based learning for pre-K through primary school students, led by Rural Education Innovators.
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Teacher Professional Development 2 activities
- Produce educational resources and handbooks for rural educatorsDevelops and publishes practical teaching resources including a Service Learning Handbook and a guide for short-term volunteer teaching, both grounded in field experience. These materials provide rural educators with lesson plans, methods, case studies, and historical context to support innovative pedagogy.
- Support rural teacher development and professional trainingProvides capacity-building support to rural educators through curriculum development coaching, professional development training, and collaborative writing of teaching case studies. Initiatives include multi-session trainings on children’s literature, literacy, reading pedagogy, and empathy-based instruction, aimed at improving teaching quality in rural and migrant communities.
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Education Policy Research and Analysis 1 activity
- Conduct research and publish on rural education innovationEngages in research and thought leadership on rural education in China, publishing articles and reports in journals and magazines such as the Solutions Journal and China Campus Magazine. Topics include reimagining rural education, classroom-to-countryside pedagogy, and alleviating educational inequity.
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Youth and Family Cooking Education 1 activity
- Implement place-based curriculum and teaching programs in rural Chinese schoolsDevelops and delivers innovative, student-centered curricula in rural primary schools across Shanxi and Yunnan provinces, including reading, service learning, social-emotional skills, life-themed education, and project-based learning on topics such as local food culture and environmental stewardship. Programs have reached hundreds of students since 2008 and include biweekly classes, summer camps, and community-integrated projects.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2K
Contributions & grants$2K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$11K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
balance sheet
Total assets$77K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$77K
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -24.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 4
- Diane Geng — Executive Director
- Sara Lam — Director and Secretary
- Yili Yang — Director
- Zhizhen Qu — Director
relationships · 27
Who they work with
- Chen Yet-Sen Family Foundation Funder — Supported the establishment of a school-based curriculum development and teacher coaching program in Shanxi Province.
- Chen Yetsen Family Foundation Partner — Supported RCEF's school-based curriculum development and teacher training program.
- China Campus Magazine Network — Published articles in China Campus Magazine.
- China Development Brief Network — Published articles in China Development Brief.
- Civil Affairs Bureau Government — Registered local nonprofit organization under the authority of the Civil Affairs Bureau.
- Clinton Global Initiative Funder — Supported the establishment of a school-based curriculum development and teacher coaching program in Shanxi Province.
- Clinton Global Initiative Partner — Supported RCEF's education initiatives in rural China.
- Echoing Green Funder — Awarded the Echoing Green Fellowship in 2007 for being among the world's best emerging social change entrepreneurs.
- Echoing Green Network — RCEF co-founders were named Echoing Green Fellows for their work with the organization.
- Echoing Green Foundation Partner — Provided funding and recognition through the award of the "Best Emerging Social Improvement Organization" in 2007.
- Global Fund for Children Partner — Supported RCEF's work in rural Chinese education.
- Harvard Project Network — Published educational content through the Harvard Project.
- Qinyu Mu Foundation Partner — Yongji team participated in training organized by the Qinyu Mu Foundation.
- Rural Development Cooperative Partner — Collaborating on community education projects, including hosting an intern to support joint activities.
- The Global Fund for Children Funder — Supported the establishment of a school-based curriculum development and teacher coaching program in Shanxi Province.
- Third Millennium Foundation Partner — Sara Lam collaborated with the foundation on rural education projects as a 2004-2005 fellow.
- Tian Xia Xi Partner — Collaborated with RCEF on the development of the environmental education textbook "I love Lashi Hai".
- Tiger Woods Foundation Funder — Supported the establishment of a school-based curriculum development and teacher coaching program in Shanxi Province.
- Tiger Woods Foundation Partner — Provided support for RCEF's rural education programs.
- Wang Village kindergarten Partner — REIs provide professional development training for teachers at Wang Village kindergarten.
- Yongji Team Partner — Group of rural teachers in Yongji county who implement RCEF's curriculum and programs in local primary schools
- Zhipu Foundation Partner — Teacher Huimiao attended a conference organized by the Zhipu Foundation to network with other rural education NGOs and explore collaboration opportunities.
- donations@ruralchina.org Funder — Donation contact email
- info@ruralchina.org Partner — General information and feedback contact
- info@ruralchina.org Partner — Primary contact for information inquiries and feedback related to RCEF programs.
- “Embrace the Mother Tongue” (Qin Jin Mu Yu) Partner — Providing professional development training for teachers in progressive Chinese language arts instruction.
- 乡村教育促进会 Partner — Collaborates with local educators to implement educational programs such as teaching method improvements, research meetings, and interest classes.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Service and Project-Based Learning for Real-World Engagement 30 orgsmethodology: service_project_based_learningBy integrating service and project-based learning into education, students connect academic skills with community problem-solving and real-life experiences, fostering deeper understanding and agency because experiential application strengthens retention, motivation, and civic identity.shared approach: Integrated Learning and Service →
- Family and Community Engagement for Sustainable Impactmethodology: family_community_engagementBy actively involving families in education, the organization strengthens learning environments beyond the classroom because sustained parental engagement reinforces learning continuity, increases accountability, and builds long-term community ownership of educational outcomes.
- Student-Centered, Place-Based Pedagogymethodology: place_based_student_centeredBy designing instruction around students’ lived experiences, local culture, and community context, learning becomes more meaningful and effective because it builds on existing knowledge, fosters identity development, and increases relevance and engagement.
- Teacher-Supported Curriculum Innovationmethodology: teacher_supported_innovationBy supporting rural educators to develop and deliver innovative, student-centered curricula grounded in local contexts, the organization improves educational outcomes because teacher-led innovation increases relevance, engagement, and sustainability in rural settings.