Mark and Trina Ramsey Foundation

Our Mission & Philosophy

Our philanthropic philosophy is rooted in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. We believe that adults and children alike must have their fundamental needs met before they are truly able to develop and creatively leverage their innate skills and talents to serve their families, their communities, and the world at large.

Embracing our desire to “teach others to fish for themselves,” we plant seeds of knowledge by supporting the formal education of those in need. After a decade of programs that addressed fundamental needs around the globe, our focus today is the top of that pyramid: awarding college scholarships to passionate students with limited means — helping them branch out and reach for the stars.

100%

of every dollar donated goes directly to the program you choose.

We — Mark & Trina — personally cover all administrative expenses, and even the payment processing fees, through our own donations. Every penny you give goes to work for a student in need.

DREAMS really DO come TRUE!

Scholarships

Ensuring college educations are available to earnest, qualified students in need

We feel that a lack of resources should never stand in the way of a formal education — within the USA and abroad. Our scholarship recipients are thoroughly vetted, passionate students who have limited means to obtain a college education, yet the desire to branch out and reach for the stars.

Your compassionate donations enable us to touch the lives of more students, fulfilling our goal of teaching those in need how to fish for themselves.

Scholarship Criteria & How to Apply Ask a Question

Donate Now

One click is all it takes — every penny reaches a student in need

Choose a level and give securely via PayPal — by credit or debit card, no PayPal account required. Your donation to this 501(c)(3) public charity is tax-deductible.

Prefer to donate by check, or set up a monthly gift? Please email admin@ramsey.foundation.

Your donation may be eligible for corporate matching — check with your HR department! Prior to donating, you may view our State Charity Registration Disclosure Statements (vary by state, if applicable).

Our Story

Mark and Trina Ramsey hiking a forest trail

During our global travels we were exposed to extremely fundamental, yet unmet, needs in developing countries. Those experiences prompted us to take actionable steps to make a difference — through donations and direct, personal involvement.

Before establishing our foundation, we spent over two decades volunteering for and contributing to charities from the American Cancer Society and the Maui Food Bank to women’s shelters and museums, and served on Yale Alumni Service Corps trips in Cuba, Ghana, and India. Working one-on-one with school children, teachers, and villagers was life-altering.

It is the culmination of these experiences that serves as the foundation of our foundation!

Mark Ramsey

Secretary / Treasurer

Mark holds a BA in Computer Science, an MBA, and a PhD in Applied Computer Science. Over a 30+ year career he traveled the world leading data & analytics organizations — including IBM’s Business Analytics consulting team and Chief Data Officer roles at Samsung Mobile and GSK — and today advises organizations on using data as a strategic asset. He has developed and taught university courses and serves on several advisory boards, including the MIT CDO program.

Trina Ramsey

President

Trina holds a BS in Information Science and an MA in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Her career spanned VP roles at a global web-based training company and sales & marketing in the computer industry. After retiring she served on the board of the Maui Food Bank, held a leadership position in the International Women’s Association of Prague, and continually explores ways to express herself creatively — donating her works to raise money for charitable causes.

Our Journey

A decade of drops in the ocean — and the friends we made along the way

From 2016 onward, MTRF facilitated water wells, mosquito nets, schools, school supplies, uniforms, bikes, mushroom farms, and tree plantings across Cambodia, India, Ghana, and the USA. With those programs successfully completed and standing on their own, our energy now flows to scholarships — but the memories (and the tributes behind so many of these gifts) remain close to our hearts.

Cambodian family at their new water well

Backpacks and school supplies distribution

Read Our Blog & Tributes More Photos on Facebook

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make a donation?

Simply click one of the donation levels in the Donate Now section. You’ll be taken straight to PayPal, where you can complete your gift with a credit or debit card — no PayPal account required. You’ll receive a receipt for your tax-deductible donation to this 501(c)(3) foundation, and we’ll get to work putting it to good use! Prefer to donate via check? Please email admin@ramsey.foundation.

What does it mean that 100% of my donation goes to the program?

When you donate via PayPal, we actually receive slightly less than your gift because PayPal charges a processing fee. We (Mark & Trina Ramsey) cover that fee through our own donations, bringing the amount back up to what you gave. We likewise personally fund all other administrative expenses — legal and accounting fees, wire transfer and banking fees, postage, travel, website, marketing, and related costs. This ensures every penny you donate goes directly to the cause.

How can a company charitable matching program increase my donation?

Many corporations offer an employee benefit that matches donations to 501(c)(3) charities up to a set amount per year. Typically you complete a short online form as directed by your HR department, and MTRF receives a matching check from your employer. MTRF has benefited tremendously from supporters taking those few extra minutes — please take advantage of this generous benefit and spread the word to your co-workers!

What are general donations used for?

General donations currently support our education programs — above all, awarding college scholarships to passionate students with extremely limited means of funding advanced studies. They may also be applied to new needs we identify through our ongoing interviews and assessment process.

Can I set up an automatic monthly donation?

We’d love that! Please send us an email and we’ll help you set up a recurring gift.

Is MTRF a registered charity?

Yes — the Mark and Trina Ramsey Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity. You can verify our status via the IRS Tax-Exempt Organization Search, and view our State Charity Registration Disclosure Statements.

Do you have a Facebook page?

Yes! Visit us on Facebook. We’re always appreciative of your likes, shares, and comments — they help us get the word out about our programs.

I have further questions — where do I pose them?

Please reach out — we’d be happy to expand our FAQ responses!

Contact Us

…please reach out… YOU + US = AWESOME!

Email admin@ramsey.foundation