SUPPORTING GFS
The Power of 50
Giving Day Breaks Records! GERMANTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL’S THIRD ANNUAL GIVING DAY WAS A HUGE SUCCESS! THE GFS COMMUNITY
Class of 1971’s seventh-grade photo, the year the first CSP student joined the class. IN MAY, THE CLASS OF 1971 CELEBRATED ITS 50TH REUNION OVER ZOOM WITH MORE THAN 50 CLASSMATES IN
attendance. While this event marked a very special anniversary, it also served as a reminder that 50 years have passed since the first Community Scholar graduated from GFS. In honor of this milestone, members of the class of ’71 proposed the creation of the Class of 1971 Scholarship Fund to support financial aid for students designated as scholars in GFS’ Community Scholars Program (CSP), a unique hallmark of the school for more than 55 years. The idea quickly gained traction, with Hardin Coleman ’71 and his wife Gail, Daniela Holt Voith ’71, David Weiss ’71, and Anna ’71 and Ted West ’71 making early contributions. For Weiss, who grew up in Germantown, CSP holds special meaning. “Our seventh grade class was the first to welcome Community Scholars, which helped change the school in a positive way,” he shared. “A GFS education provides a life-changing experience, and CSP opens up that opportunity for students from the Germantown area.” Since the inception of the program, CSP has assisted more than 200 students, and Weiss hopes the Class of
14
1971 Fund will further benefit future Community Scholars by offering access to myriad resources and creating opportunities for students in GFS’ surrounding neighborhoods, a sentiment echoed by Daniela Holt Voith ’71. “This foundational core undergirds my work as an architect for educational institutions and why my work is so meaningful to me,” she shared. “Philadelphia is a large, poor city with under-resourced public schools. The Community Scholars Program helps close an enormous gap in opportunity.” For Voith, the GFS experience—and what she has been able to do because of it—has made her a firm believer in the transformative nature of education. “I have always said that the greatest gift my parents gave me was an inspiring education, and GFS was a huge part of that educational journey.” Because her class was the first to benefit from CSP, she feels strongly that dedicating their class gift primarily to this program seems a fitting tribute— and a meaningful way to give back. “A great education is a strong social leveler, helping people further their gifts and talents and strengthen their moral fiber.” –Brandon Jones ’00
came together on February 12 to raise money for the Annual Fund, which directly supports current students, and this year’s event was extra special because it honored the school’s 175th anniversary. Donations to the Annual Fund give the school the flexibility not only to respond to unforeseen challenges (like a global pandemic), but also to create opportunities to enhance our students’ educational experience. A group of current parents and alumni came forward with an anniversary challenge: for every 175 people who donated on Giving Day, a new bonus gift was unlocked. Our goal was 350 donors and we ended the campaign with 700 gifts! Overall, our generous community donated $333,994, the most donors and dollars raised since Giving Day’s launch in 2019. Thanks to our 11 generous challengers, our parent and alumni volunteers, and our 700 donors for their support. Some highlights include 80 new, firsttime donors; a 15% increase in donors over last year; and a record-breaking number of gifts in several classes. Interested in getting involved in next year’s Giving Day? Please contact Annual Fund Director Amanda Reath ’89 at areath@germantownfriends.org.