RAFT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Our mission is to help educators transform a child’s learning experience through hands-on education to one that inspires the joy and discovery of learning.
Free activities, low-cost classroom kits, hands-on programs and a teacher store for educators and families across the Bay Area.
Bay Area Counties we serve
Alameda · Contra Costa · Monterey · San Benito · San Francisco · San Mateo · Santa Clara · Santa Cruz
Our online resources reach educators nationwide and around the world.
Free activities and resources
students reached
kept from landfill per year
RAFT builds the hands-on materials, programs and training that make STEAM teachable — then puts them within reach of every educator.
Ready-to-run hands-on kits for individuals, groups and whole classrooms.
Full camp programs you host at your own school or site, TK to Grade 8.
Educator training and hands-on workshops run by RAFT staff.
An excellent resource for teachers with an impressive range of options. As a bonus, they even carry larger items like furniture, making it a true one-stop shop… I’m genuinely glad this place exists — it’s a gift to educators.
Google review
RAFT is a treasure for things you need to support your school or classroom. At affordable prices it is truly a resource. We decorated an entire gymnasium from materials donated to RAFT.
Google review
Variety of resources and tools. Arts, Crafts, Science, teacher supply store. Misc items for pennies.
Google review
My kid was doing volunteer work here, so I took a peek inside. Looks like a cool place to get arts and crafts supplies for the kiddos. Open to teachers and parents.
Google review
Download free, classroom-tested activities or grab a ready-to-go kit. Filter by subject, grade, and the materials you already have.
Search 789 free idea sheets, activity sheets, tip sheets and units by subject, grade, and the materials you already have on hand.
Visit the store or shop online for upcycled supplies and ready-made kits at a fraction of retail prices.
Students create, materials get a second life, and waste stays out of the landfill — every single time.
We rescue surplus and reusable materials from local businesses and turn them into joyful, affordable learning — for educators who need it most. Good for kids. Good for budgets. Good for the planet.
Tons of material diverted from landfill every year
Students reached across the Bay Area & beyond
Educators supported with low-cost resources
Cubic feet of materials upcycled to date
Our San Jose warehouse is unlike anything in the Bay Area — aisles of low-cost materials plus a creative workroom with die-cuts, laminators, and 3-D printers.
Low-cost, upcycled supplies by the bin
Creative workroom & maker tools on site
Member pricing & bulk classroom savings
RAFT runs on a community of givers. Join 200+ corporate partners and 6,000 volunteers who power our work each year.
Every dollar helps RAFT put hands-on STEAM materials into the hands of educators and keeps store prices within reach for every classroom.
Turn your organization’s surplus materials into classroom learning instead of landfill. See what we can accept and how to arrange a drop-off.
Build kits, sort materials, or bring your corporate team for a hands-on impact day. Shifts run most days and no experience is needed.
Join thousands of educators getting fresh STEAM ideas, store deals, and event news every month.
