Friends Select Fund

In honor of Dick Hoffman's half-century of service to Friends Select, the school established the Dick Hoffman Circle of long-term contributors. These donors are particularly noteworthy because of the consistent, enduring nature of their contributions. They have offered financial support to the important work of Friends Select for 10 or more years. Much like Dick Hoffman himself, these donors have made a significant impact on the vitality of Friend Select for a substantial portion of its history. Their loyal commitment is deeply appreciated.

To find out if you are on the brink of joining the Dick Hoffman Circle or are already a member, contact Molly Mullahy. Renew your support today!

About Financial Aid at Friends Select School

Throughout the school’s history, financial aid has been inextricably linked to Friends Select’s mission to provide an outstanding education to a culturally and economically diverse student body in the heart of Center City Philadelphia. Currently, the board of trustees allocates over $1.8 million to financial aid, which benefits over 30% of the student body. When students of various backgrounds come together in a school community, opportunities for learning multiply—in and out of the classroom, for the benefit of all.

Your Investment

• A four-year pledge of a minimum annual gift of $2,500 per year establishes your need-based scholarship. The scholarship can be in your name, or you can honor a teacher or a loved one with the name of your choosing.

Your Return

• One eligible Friends Select student will be granted your scholarship at the start of your four-year commitment.
• Your scholarship will be available for immediate use this academic year, providing a deserving student with opportunities that are uniquely Friends Select—meaningful, relevant, and life-changing.
• Your scholarship sets an example of giving for students to emulate in the future, promoting the Friends Select spirit of generosity with the next generation, and sharing your gratitude for your own connection with Friends Select School.
• Your four-year commitment will ensure that the student receiving your named scholarship will enjoy the opportunities offered by a Friends Select education for the duration of his or her upper school career.

Who Will Benefit from Your Need-Based Scholarship?

Shannon Griffin ’12 is excited about her future. After graduating from Friends Select in 2012, she pursued a double major in Mandarin and psychology at Bates College; to top it all off she joined the debate team. Her varied interests are no surprise to those who knew her at Friends Select. During the five years she spent here she was quite the Renaissance woman. In addition to excelling in the classroom, Shannon participated in a variety of extra curricular activities like the Black student union, the basketball, soccer, and cross country teams, yearbook committee, and she served as president of student government her senior year.

Shannon looks back fondly on her Friends Select experience and continues to express her gratitude for the scholarship assistance that made her education possible. Shannon Griffin ’12 in her own words:

“Martin Luther King Jr. once said, ‘Intelligence plus character- that is the goal of true education.’ Friends Select nurtured my spirit while challenging me intellectually. I grew not only as a student but as a person in an environment where there was always a lesson to be learned. Whether I was reading Mrs. Dalloway or trying to push through the last mile of a cross country meet with a teammate right beside me, I was learning the value of community, responsibility, spirituality and self-confidence.

By the end of my eighth grade year, I considered Friends Select as a second home and my classmates as family. However, my parents didn’t think they could afford for me to continue to attend the next year; my mother wrote a letter to the school leadership explaining why I would not be enrolling for upper school. The administration reached out to her, and on the morning of my eighth grade graduation my mother informed me that thanks to an additional scholarship, I would be staying at Friends Select. I’m sure everyone thinks most of my smiles in the photos from that day are attributed to my excitement of finally reaching high school, but in actuality those smiles are from the bliss of knowing that I would continue to grow with a great group of people and learn from the most patient, caring, and inspiring teachers. My family and I are so grateful for the generosity of Friends Select and the donors who give every year.”

 

Shannon’s journey is inspiring, but not entirely unique. There are many outstanding community members like her attending Friends Select today who would benefit from your need-based scholarship. For more information or to make a gift, contact Christine Jefferson, director of development and alumni relations, at 215-561-5900 ext. 3141 or chrisj@friends-select.org.

 

“A gift to the Financial Aid and Scholarship program at Friends Select will permeate generations, allowing the school to continue to foster productive citizens. I look forward to the day that I am able to support future students, so that they may be afforded the wonderful opportunities that I experienced. It’s the generosity of donors that enables so many children to experience a quality education, betterment of life, and the illumination of a path that will lead them to make a difference in the world.”

- Shannon Griffin ’12

"Friends Select's educational program, Quaker values and place in the city have prepared me for life in ways no other school could. I am deeply grateful for the support that made my education at Friends Select possible."

- Jacob Gardner-Rosen '10

Day of Giving is a 30-hour challenge when the Friends Select community comes together in support of our remarkable school. This year, we raised over $100,000 from more than 460 donors on #iSelectFriends Day. These contributions make a profound impact on our educational programs for students and faculty, and reflect just how passionate our community is about Friends Select.

To see photos from this year's Day of Giving, click here.

The Family Association contributes 100% of annual auction proceeds to the Friends Select Fund. For more information, contact the director of parent programs, Molly Mullahy, at mollymu@friends-select.org

To contribute an item, service, or corporate sponsorship to the auction, click here.

Celebrate a Friends Select community member who is special to you by making a gift to the Friends Select Fund in their honor. Your thoughtful gesture will immediately and directly benefit current students, faculty, and programs. Please include the name of the person you would like to honor so we can notify them of your thoughtful gift. Here are a few examples.

Teacher Tributes:

"I gave to honor Herb Kerns, the best math teacher I ever had. Herb not only inspired me to love math in the classroom by making his classes and assignments fun and engaging but also keeping discipline in the classroom through the use of his favorite refrain for anyone who complained; 'wah'. Thinking about him say that still makes me smile to this day. Herb, also showed me what it means to be a good role model and community member outside of the classroom. As my JV basketball coach, he was always there, through the highs, such as hitting the half-court three pointer to win the game at GFS JV tourney during freshman year, and the lows, talking me through my frustrations when I didn't think I got enough time or was missing my shots. I am certain I wasn't the only one who benefited from this level of commitment. In many ways, Teacher Herb exemplifies the FSS experience. He showed me how to live a balanced and full life but also one guided by courage, strong values and commitment to community. Thank you, Herb, I’d like to think I am partially who I am today because of you and the other great teachers I had at FSS.” - Kusi Hornberger ’98

"I gave in honor of Sarah Lee because she is a phenomenal teacher. She was such a blessing to my son, Blaine." - Anne Tartikoff P’24

“Lynda Greenwade has had the biggest impact on my life of any teacher, ever. She helped guide me and push my passion in art, which now has grown into a successful career. I truly feel lucky to know her.” - Nick Vogelson ’02

Your participation in the Recurring Gift Program is a convenient, sustainable, and reliable source of support that our students, faculty, and staff can depend on year-round.

• Receive fewer fundraising communications, this is the “greenest” way to give.
• Feel the satisfaction of knowing your donation helps FSS each month.
• Make your gift amount and timing work for you.
• Enjoy a thank you gift from us!

Click here to enroll!