What is the Red Cedar Rowing Foundation?
The Red Cedar Rowing Foundation (RCRF) is a 501c(3) organization established in 2015 for the sole purpose of supporting the Michigan State University Crew Club.
Who operates the Red Cedar Rowing Foundation?
The Red Cedar Rowing Foundation is operated by a 5 person volunteer alumni board: Karl Harshe ('10) James Hughes ('10) Jeff Pipp ('10) Laurissa Heidkamp ('11) and Kevin Vermeesch ('13). All are alumni of the Michigan State University Crew Club who held leadership positions as members of the club. If you would like to contact any member of the board, please go to our Contact Us page and a representative from the foundation will get back to you as soon as possible.
Why should I donate to the Red Cedar Rowing Foundation instead of directly to the Michigan State University Crew Club?
The Red Cedar Rowing Foundation is filed as a 501c(3) organization under the IRS. Such organizations are tax exempt and donations made to these types of organizations are tax deductible. The Michigan State University Crew Club is filed as a 501c(7) tax exempt organization. However, donations made directly to the MSU Crew Club are not tax deductible. If you wish to donate directly to the MSU Crew Club and receive a tax deduction, you will need to donate directly to Michigan State University by going to the donations page.
How are donations used to benefit the Michigan State University Crew Club?
The Red Cedar Rowing Foundation was created for the specific purpose of benefiting the MSU Crew Club. Donations made to the RCRF go towards purchasing items such as oars, boats, launches, and other tangible goods that otherwise are not paid for directly by MSU Crew Club members' yearly dues. The RCRF also provides monetary support for travel to regattas as well as assistance in paying coaches' salaries. It is the foundation's goal to lessen the financial burden that current club members face in hopes of creating a strong foundation for the club to grow.
How can I help the Red Cedar Rowing Foundation and/or Michigan State University Crew Club?
Donate, volunteer, or attend alumni/club events. While monetary support for the MSU Crew Club can go a long way to reducing the financial burden of club members, attending races such as Head of the Grand, Head of the Charles, and the Dad Vail Regatta show your support to current club members. The alumni foundation is always looking for more people who would like to take on tasks that would increase outreach and support as well as assisting in event coordination. Drop by our Contact Us page to get in touch with a foundation representative to find out more.
What else does the Red Cedar Rowing Foundation do outside of provide monetary support for the Michigan State University Crew Club?
While the primary purpose of the RCRF is to help the MSU Crew club, it is also an organization that allows alumni to continue to partake in the sport. RCRF has had boats race at the Head of the Charles regatta for 4 consecutive years as well as the MCI regatta in Ann Arbor, Michigan. If you'd like to get back in a boat, the RCRF can provide an organization to row under at regattas across the country. If you'd like to race, please reach out to one of the board members through our Contact Us page to find out about future regattas and whether or not the RCRF is planning on competing in those events.
Our history
This is an archive of crews past. Every program struggles to keep its history close at hand, especially one as dynamic as a club. RCRF is collecting pieces of our past and linking them to the present. Currently featured are our alumni who have gone on to be professional coaches, see their interview summaries here.