Overview
Founded by Michael Robertson, REEF began with its Education Investment program in fall 2002 at the University of California, San Diego campus with an initial investment of $3 million. Repayments of these investments by post-graduate students will enable additional opportunities for future generations of students attending the University of California System. REEF strives to be a leader in the creation of similar programs at educational institutions around the country, and to generate significant interest nationally for the program as an alternative to educational contributions to alumni giving programs.

"The future of tomorrow depends on the development of the human capital today. In order to enhance that capital, investments must be made in people, not just monetary contributions to academic institutions."
- Michael Robertson, President of REEF

In summer 2005, REEF announced the Global University Phone System (GUPS) Initiative. The goal of GUPS is to create a consortium between academic institutions worldwide to encourage more knowledge transfer through free calling over the Internet. With GUPS, PC users have the ability to phone any university in the world, free of charge. By eliminating traditional telecommunication costs, REEF's goal through this program is to see increased collaboration and information dissemination between students, faculty, and researchers from all institutions throughout the world.

Michael Robertson is a University of California, San Diego Warren College alumni '90, Chairman of Linspire, Inc., CEO of SIPphone, and founder of MP3.com.