Our Mission
The Rise Up Foundation is dedicated to improving literacy among children living in underserved communities. We believe that the ability to read and write is the foundation of a successful education and a prosperous future, and we work tirelessly to provide support and resources for literacy initiatives. Through book donations, classroom support, and grant-making, we strive to create a more literate and informed society, one child at a time. We are committed to making a positive and lasting impact on the lives of the children we serve, and believe that by investing in their literacy, we can help to create a brighter and more equitable future for all.
Who We Serve
Since 2008, the Rise Up Foundation has been dedicated to supporting underserved children and their teachers by providing supplemental resources and funding for their classrooms. Our primary focus is on elementary and middle grade students, with a special emphasis on grades K-8, as these adolescents can be particularly at risk for falling behind in literacy skills.
An Interview with Our Founder
About Our Founder
Alane Adams started The Rise Up Foundation in 2008 as a way to use her skills, experience, and resources to help people and organizations overcome challenges and reach their full potential. Alane has worn many hats throughout her career, including working as a Certified Public Accountant, Chief Financial Officer, entrepreneur, and university professor. She fulfilled a life-long dream in 2012 by becoming an author when her youngest son asked her to write him a book! Learn more about Alane’s work at alaneadams.com.
Alane received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Southern California and later obtained her CPA license. She went on to became the Chief Financial Officer of a family-owned metal recycling business, which grew into SA Recycling, one of the largest and most successful regional metal processing firms on the West Coast. After retiring from this business in 2008, she founded the Rise Up Foundation the following day. In 2010, she received her Master’s degree in Diplomacy to better understand the global challenges facing our world.
Throughout her life, Alane has been actively involved in community service and philanthropy, with a particular focus on helping families and children. She has had the opportunity to participate in several field visits with UNICEF, visiting Angola, Laos, Nepal and Guinea to see firsthand the impact of vaccines, education, gender equality, and access to clean water. She has traveled the world to learn about humanitarian projects, microfinance initiatives, and the role that advocacy and awareness play in creating long-term, sustainable change. Her passion for social impact led her to join the faculty at Chapman University in 2009, where she developed and taught a course on social entrepreneurship.
Her experiences traveling to schools in developing countries and lifetime interest in writing led Alane to focus on literacy as a key indicator of future success. Alane believes that by supporting and empowering teachers, we can create a positive and transformative learning environment for children. This focus, combined with her son’s request for a book he could read, inspired her to write children’s books which include series The Legends of Orkney, The Witches of Orkney, The Legends of Olympus, and historical fiction picture books. Today, the Rise Up Foundation is busier than ever supporting teachers in their efforts to improve literacy in the classroom, as well as providing resources and distributing new books to classrooms across the country. We are constantly looking for new ways to make a positive impact on the lives of children.
Alane hopes that her own efforts will inspire others to make a difference in the lives of children by finding ways to support and enhance their well-being, both in our own country and globally.
