children deserve opportunity
Working together to help Working together to help Philadelphia public schools Philadelphia public schools thrive and students succeed regardless of zip code, thrive and students succeed regardless of zip code, family income or circumstances. family income or circumstances.
Mission Statement:
We identify, coordinate and connect philanthropic resources—through effective public-private partnerships—to leverage investments in local public schools. We target strategic priorities that have an impact on the success of students regardless of their zip code, family income, or circumstances.
What We Believe:
At the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia, we believe that all of Philadelphia’s public school children deserve an opportunity to become a part of a strong, productive, and sustainable future for our city.
Fiscal Year in Review 2023
Featured Giving Story: Live Nation Renews its Commitment to Philadelphia’s Youth Featured Giving Story: The GIANT Company Gives Groceries for Good Featured Giving Story: Emmy Event is a Win for Public School Students
Story: GRAMMY-Winning Rock Band Supports Philly Schools
A Message from The Fund
2023 was a landmark year for The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia. We were delighted to celebrate an epic Emmy win for actress Sheryl Lee Ralph alongside State Senator Vincent Hughes and a few hundred friends, with all proceeds benefiting The Fund’s Read to Succeed early literacy programming. We were honored to win a Philadelphia Business Journal “Faces of Philanthropy'' award for our partnership with the GIANT Company to fight food insecurity among school district students and families. We were happy to bring back Dress Down Day in support of Philly Public Schools with guest designers and public school graduates Ps & Qs. We were thrilled to benefit from Philadelphia’s hometown rock band The War on Drugs’ holiday concert series and online auction. And, we were grateful to be selected as beneficiaries of the 11th annual Wharton School 5k run.
Finally, as the fiscal year drew to a close, we were proud to announce the hiring of a new President and CEO of The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia, Kathryn Epps Roberson. Ms. Roberson, who most recently served as the first executive director of the Hire! Philly Coalition and as founder of Philadelphia-based marketing consulting firm AEC Partners, has dedicated her career to maximizing resources for the betterment of all Philadelphians. She brings unmatched experience in coalition-building, stakeholder engagement, and entrepreneurial innovation to The Fund.
With the loyal commitment of our generous philanthropic partners, we exceeded our fundraising goal in FY23, and helped elevate the education and wellbeing of public school students throughout the School District of Philadelphia.
We deeply appreciate your role in giving Philadelphia’s children – regardless of their background or circumstances – the opportunity to become part of a strong, productive, and sustainable future for our city.
Thank you!
Kathy Rubino
Kathy Rubino Vice President of Development
Donations By The Numbers
Individual, Foundation, and Corporate Giving
Thank You! 92% of donations were made by community members like you in Fiscal Year 2023.
$4.5M
TOTAL DONATIONS
We received $4.5 million to support Philadelphia public school students.
1,635 DONORS
We received gifts from 1,635 supporters in Fiscal Year 2023.
Philly FUNDamentals Find A School, Fund A Future
$158,170 TOTAL DONATIONS TO PHILLY FUNDAMENTALS
988 TOTAL GIFTS
MADE TO FUNDAMENTALS
CAMPAIGNS MADE BY 904 DONORS 45 SCHOOLS FUNDRAISED ON THE PLATFORM IN FY 2023
$160 AVERAGE DONATION AMOUNT
Featured Giving Story: Live Nation Renews
its Commitment to Philadelphia’s Youth
Continuing a years-long partnership, Live Nation Philadelphia and Live Nation Urban presented a check for more than $100,000 to The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia at The Met Philadelphia on March 16, 2023. Philadelphia’s own Jill Scott, who was in the midst of a three-show residency at the Met for her Who is Jill Scott? Words & Sounds Vol. 1 23rd Anniversary Tour, made a special appearance during the presentation after her show. Live Nation’s annual donation represents a portion of every ticket sold at The Met Philadelphia, and helps fund music programs in Philadelphia schools, including Miss Scott’s alma mater, Philadelphia High School for Girls.
BY THE NUMBERS
$100,497 contribution; hundreds of student-musicians impacted annually
Featured Giving Story: The GIANT Company Gives Groceries for Good
For the third consecutive year, The GIANT Company committed the proceeds of their Feeding School Kids point-of-sale initiative to the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia, fullyfunding the operation of 13 fresh food stands at school sites across the district during the academic year, as well as 7 stands during the summer months. Thanks to The GIANT Company’s support, more than 76,000 pounds of food were distributed to Philadelphia’s public school students and their families during FY23, fighting the impacts of pervasive food insecurity on children’s health, wellbeing, and academic achievement.
BY THE NUMBERS
$212,583 contributed; 13 schools impacted; 7,970 students served in FY23
Featured Giving Story: Emmy Event is a Win for Public School Students
Less than three months after Sheryl Lee Ralph won the 2022 Emmy award for Outstanding Supporting Actress as Ms. Barbara Howard, a veteran teacher in the hit ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary, she and her husband of nearly 20 years, Pennsylvania state Senator Vincent Hughes hosted a celebration for the veteran actress, singer and producer with all proceeds benefitting the couples’ Read to Succeed early literacy programming through The Fund for School District of Philadelphia. Founded in 2012, Read to Succeed has helped thousands of public school students counter the effects of “summer slide” and advance their achievements in reading. Hundreds of guests filled the ballroom at Live! Casino and Hotel in South Philadelphia to show Ms. Ralph well-earned, well-deserved brotherly love and sisterly affection.
BY THE NUMBERS
$200,000+ raised; 800 children enrolled in Read to Succeed; 0% summer slide
Featured Giving Story: GRAMMY-Winning
Rock Band Supports Philly Schools
In December of 2022, rock band The War on Drugs announced the return of their intimate holiday concert series benefiting the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia. The series of shows took place from December 19-21 at Philadelphia’s celebrated venue Johnny Brenda’s. The concerts capped off the band’s year of playing more than 100 shows in North America and Europe in support of the album I Don’t Live Here Anymore, and followed the band receiving their second GRAMMY nomination. An online auction and raffle sales also benefited our public schools.
NUMBERS
$53,460 in contributions; myriad district arts programming impacted BY THE
New Donor Spotlight: Scholastic
In the summer of 2022, the Scholastic Corporation, an American publishing, education, and media company that provides books and educational materials for schools, teachers, parents, and children, donated more than 13,000 books to the General George G. Meade School library George Meade School is a historic K-8 school in North Central Philadelphia.
$100,000 in-kind gift; 13,878 books donated; 267 students impacted BY THE NUMBERS
New Donor Spotlight: Dr. Shawn Joseph
A South Philadelphia High School student received a four-year tuition and books scholarship to attend Lincoln University thanks to the generosity of Dr. Shawn Joseph, Co-Director of the AASA/Howard University Urban Superintendent Academy and CEO of the education and equity consulting firm, Joseph and Associates LLC. Dr. Joseph is a graduate of Lincoln University, the nation’s first degree-granting Historically Black College and University (HBCU. He credits the university for much of his success since it gave him an excellent education and the core skills to become a leader.
Dr. Joseph’s motivation to give the scholarship stemmed from an interaction he had many years ago. “I met a young Black male student from South Philadelphia High School when I was an Upward Bound counselor,” said Dr. Joseph. “The student had challenges reading, and it left an impression on me. I wanted to do something to help, and, in the end, it inspired me to become a reading and English teacher.” He shared, “I am confident the student that receives this award will have a transformational experience.”
BY THE NUMBERS
$44,000 contribution; 1 student; 4-year degree; limitless future
Our Donors
$500,000 and Above
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
$400,000 and Above
The William Penn Foundation
$300,000 and Above
Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation
$200,000 and Above
Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation
The GIANT Company
$100,000 and Above
Frank Seidman
Independence Blue Cross Foundation
Live Nation Worldwide
Neighbors Investing in Childs Elementary
Philadelphia City Fund
Scholastic Inc.
$50,000 and Above
The Lindy Foundation
The Pincus Family Foundation
Spring Point Partners LLC
$25,000 and Above
Albert M. Greenfield Home & School Association
Always Be Touring Inc.
J.P. Mascaro & Sons
Joseph & Associates LLC
Leslie Miller & Richard Worley Foundation
National Philanthropic Trust
New York Life
Office Depot
Order Sons And Daughters Of Italy In AmericaNortheast Lodge #610
The Patricia Kind Family Foundation
Richard Vague
Settlement Music School
Sheldon Bonovitz
The Vernon Family Foundation
$10,000 and Above
ABC Television Network
Brandywine Operating Partnership
Bryn Mawr Racing Co.
Charles Schwab Corporation
Comcast Cable Co.
Commercial Real Estate Women-Philadelphia, Inc. (C.R.E.W)
David Adelman
Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation
Ed Zimmermann
Friends of Chester Arthur
Glenmede Trust Co.
Goldman Sachs Foundation
The Honickman Foundation
The Joseph and Gene Swedish Foundation
Julien's Auctions
Laborers District Council of Phila. & Vicinity
L.I.U.N.A
Maurice Romy Foundation
The Max and Anna Levinson Foundation
The Michael & Aliza Davis Charitable Fund of the Jewish Communal Fund
Origlio Beverage
The Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy
Saint Joseph's University
Santander
Siebert Williams Shank & Co
SPARK Therapeutics
The Vanguard Charitable Foundation
United Way of The Greater Lehigh Valley, Inc.
University of Pennsylvania
Our Donors
$5,000 and Above
Albert Greenfield School
AmeriHealth Caritas
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Constance Williams
Disney Worldwide Services
The Fund for Public Schools
Gibson Foundation
Gina Montana
Howard Hurtig
Independence Blue Cross
Independent Charitable Gift Fund
James Kimmel
Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refining and Marketing LLC
P’s & Q’s
ReAnimator Coffee
Stephen Cannon
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young LLP
Temple University
The Tuttleman Foundation
Wadud Ahmad
Yuan He
$2500 and Above
Adam Rom
Amy Fox
Andrea Custis
The Burns and McDonnell Foundation
Charities Aid Foundation of America
Community College of Philadelphia
Cozen O’Connor Foundation
Dave Burd
Drexel University
Friends of GCC
Johnson & Johnson
Kevin Heck
Lear Real Estate LLC
Neubauer Family Foundation
Philadelphia Federation of Teachers
The Philadelphia Phillies
Police and Fire Federal Credit Union
Sean Forman
Simran Sidhu
Sun Center Studios
$1,000 and Above
Anna Whitesell
Anne Umbrecht
The Benevity Community Impact Fund
Bonnie Eisner
Christine Deutsch
Craig Sabatino
Cynthia Shapira
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
Edward Hillis
Eric Lademar
Eugenie Perret
Fidelity Charitable
The Forman Family Foundation
Fox & Roach Trident Charities
The General Meade Society
Goldenberg Group
Jacqueline Buhn
James Meyer
Jay Costa for State Senate
Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
Joseph Matje
Katherine Rubino
Kathleen Klein
Meylin Concepcion
Michael Padula
Nicholas Baldick
Oren Roth-Eisenberg
Patrick Brier
Patrick Hamacher
Paul Dlugoleckli
Pershing Advisor Solutions LLC
Our Donors
The Pilots' Association for The Bay and River
Delaware
Richard Hayden
Robert Archie, Jr.
S.R. Wojdak & Associates
Schwab Charitable
Severin Tucker
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church
Sylvie Gallier Howard Worldgate, LLC
$500 and Above
The American Online Giving Foundation
Abington Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
Advocare Fairmount Pediatrics and Adolescent
Medicine
Ann Turner
Anthony Tarnowski
Arkema INC. Foundation
Bill Marrazzo
Brian Thomas
Caithlin Murphy
Chrissy Kind
Christine Howze
David Rozzelle
David Thomas
Delaney Advantage Technologies
Donald D Moore
Donna Frisby-Greenwood
Emilee Taylor
Flex Fundraising
The Great 208 Reunion
GWHS Class of 72, 50th reunion gift
Irene Masa
James Vitiello
Jamie Queli
Janice Duffin
Jay Feldstein
Joe Tarricone
Jordana Cohen
Kim Laipple
Lauren Fahnestock
Mara Natkins
Melissa Kent
Papers Unlimited Plus Inc.
Patricia DiLella
Pledgeling Foundation
Steven Mavros
Steve Santarsiero
The Triple T Foundation
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and
Southern New Jersey
Valerie Gay
Virginia Montgomery
The West Philadelphia Alliance for Children
William Sharrar
$250 and Above
A. Michael Pratt
Aaron Walton
Albert Greenfield School - 5th Grade
Alexis Cocco
Amanda Fox
America's Charities
Ann Blevins
Anthony Fullard
Antoine Gardiner
Arlene Koyanagi
Barbara Craig
Brandon Jaffe
Carolyn Longo
Charles Cooper
Cindy Moore
Citizens For Omar Sabir
Claire Shubik-Richards
Danielle Borzor
David Kahn
Our Donors
David Mraz
Dr. Donald Generals, Jr.
The Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation
Gemma Mears
Hudson Scattergood
James Baker
James Holtom
Jason Blank
Jay Brodish
Jeffrey Gottesman
Jeffrey Jaeger
Jennifer Nagda
Jerry Johnson
Joanne Bursich
Joel Wilson
John Sender
Joshua Cohen
Kari Minger
Latrese Collins
Margo Gentile
Mark Simon
Mark Warner
Matt Ludwig
Michael S. Jackson
Nancy Thornton
The Peterman's Peterman
Regina Austin
Renae Flanders
Rocco Pugliese
Rosemary Pron
Sharon Gallagher
Something's Awry Productions
Stephen Laughlin
Stephen Leshinski
TEACH LLC
Terri Lewis
Terry Fromson
Vanguard
Yael Futer
YourCause, LLC
Zachary Belair
$100 and Above
Adam Bonin and Lisa Tucker
Adrian DeMarco
Agnes Longo
Alaina Caldwell
Alexandra Estey
Alexandra M Hunt
Ali Perelman
Allison Greenfield
Amani Laws
Amara Rockar
AmazonSmile
Amie Hanrahan
Amy L Caples
Anastasia Zuccaro
Andrew McIlvaine
Andrew Pack
Andy Cliver
Angela Leonard
Angie Polizzi
Anita Lewis
Ann H. Fisher
Anthony Hopkins
April Ryan
Armento Family
Audrey Golub
Autumn Keck
Baba Taiye Renfrow
Barbara Beck
Barbara Hansom
Barbara Kohan
Barbra Pignatelli
Benjamin Baehr
Berwind Corporation
Bethanne Devine
Our Donors
Beth Dahle
Bill Vargus
Brenda N Browne
Brett Goldman
Bridget Wadzuk
Brody Stevens
Caitlin Crawford
Carey Davis
Carmen Lennon
Carol Ciaccia
Caroline Watts
Carol M Knight
Catherine Califano
Catherine Davis
Catherine Fiebach
Catherine Hicks
Charlene Cerasa
Charles Cobourn
Chatara Benson
Cherelle Parker
Chris Gunn
Chris Gurr
Christina Altmayer
Christina Bradley
Christine Slavin
Cindy Dip
Cindy Walsh
Clarence Bourne
Colleen Anderson
Colorcon Match
Craig Williams
Cyndy Goldman
Daaimah Poole
Dana Carter
Dana Dorman
Dana Feinberg
Dana London
Daniel Hopkins
Darlene Jennings
Daryle McCormick
Dave Baker
David Braden
David Bushnell
David Cohen
David Weinstein
Davita Cooper
Davoren Chick
Debbie Holcombe
Debbie Savoca
Debra Barol
Debra Chandler
Debra Macchi
Deirdre Hopkins
Delores Brockington
Derrick McClain
Desaree Jones
Donald Feiler
Doria N Mitchell
Doris Harris
Dorothy Byrne
Dorothy Roschen
Dorothy SeSimone
Drew Kmetz
Elizabeth Fabens
Ellen Thompson
Elmer Hudson
Emily Plowman
Emily Pugliese
Emily Schumacher
Erica Jones
Erica Lugo
Erin
Ethel Jones
Evan Fieldston
Ezio Torres
Familyman Contracting
Gail Garrett
Gail Tuoni
Our Donors
Gary Shepherd
Gerald Greenberg
Gerald Veasley
Gina Conallen
Greenberg HSA
Greg Offner
Gregory Holston
Grenville Hayes
Gwendolyn Davis
Hallie Bressler
Hana Shepherd
Hannah Pinkos
Heather Sheaffer
Heidi Gibbons
Hillary Hopkins
Hillary Kane
H Joe Tyson
Ingrid Boucher
Isabelle Rostain
Ivonne Garcia Decamarda
Ivry Bland
Jabari Jones
Jaclynn Elkind
James Creedon
James M Buck
James P Marsh
Jamine Shechter
Jane Chrnelich
Janet Cunningham
Janet Smith
Janey
Janis Risch
Jannette Adams
Jay Lippincott
Jeanne Peters
Jean Schneider
Jeffrey Montague
Jeffrey Naser
Jeff Smith
Jennifer Adkins
Jennifer Furniss
Jennifer Kosteva
Jessica Prince
Jill Scott
Jill Swavely
Joann F-Dasent
Joel Nichols
John Ciavardone
John Keller
John Mccready
Jonathan Grossberg
Joseph Fraioli
Joseph Purcell
Joseph Watkins
Julia Diggs
Julie Booth
Kadida Kenner
Karen Fegely
Karen Moore
Karen Phillips
Karen Roggeman
Karen Smith
Katherine Kelly
Katherine Moran
Katherine Wisochanski
Kathleen McFadden
Kathryn Block
Kathryn Hamilton
Katie Murphy
Kelly A
Kendra McDow
Kevin Johnson
Khalilah Wyatt
Kia Morrow
Kimberly Schmucki
Kim Paymaster
Kim Pelkey
Kristen Quinn
Our Donors
Kristin S
Kwame Williams
Larry Skinner
La Tara Harris
Laura Geller
Laura Strychalski
Lauren Barr
Lauren Cawley
Lauren Miller
Lauren Vidas
Laurie Toombs Conrad
Lawrence Dye
Leonard Ollison
Leon Caldwell
Leslie Campbell
Leslie Marsden
Leslie Smallwood
Lia Mastropolo
Linda Schiavone
Lita S Drobatz
Liz Allman
Lloyd Smith
Lusi Klimenko
Lynne Gery
Lynn Frank
Lynn Senior
Madeline Mullaney
Marcy Bacine
Margie McKeogh
Marianne Schilling-McCabe
Maria Springart
Marisa Shaaban
Marjorie Neff
Mark Crouse
Mark Harmon
Mark Kreider
Mark Squilla
Martha Lipscomb
MaryAnn Wertan
Mary Goldman
Mary K Doyle
Mary Macnamee
Mary Summers
Mask and Wig Club
Matthew Klein
Matthew Rhodes
Megan Balderston
Megan Kelleher
Melanie Harris
Melissa Dorwani
Melissa Kaplan
Melonease Shaw
Meredith Mehra
Michele Kpskinen
Michelle B Weinstock
Michelle Palmer
Michelle Payne
Michelle Taglialatela
Mike Acker
Mike Banks
Mitchell Bloom
Morgan E Wilson Jr
Nadia Singer
Nancy Chylak
Natalie Levkovich
Natalie Nixon
Natalie Sadler
Nicole Allen White
Nifty Fifty's
Nirvana Habash
Nzinga Harris
Pamela J Kabo
Pat Armstrong
Patricia Keys
Patricia White
Pat Sanders
Paulette Harnett
Paulette L Zarnik
Our Donors
Paul Hunsicker
Peter K Byers
Philadelphia Charms
Phil S
Phyl'licia Jolley-Dixon
Phyllis B Cater
Priscilla Fuentes
Priscilla Lockhart
Rachel
Raymond Pescatore
Rebecca Levine
Red Lion Home Care INC
Richard Aplenc
Richard Missett
Robert Borenstein
Robert Chauncey
Robert Duplessis
Robert LePera
Robin Lebow
Rochelle L. Cameron
Romona Mercer
Rory Boyle
Roseann Day
Rose McElhatton Donahue
Sabina Sheriff
Sabriya Dempsey
Sandra Dungee Glenn
Sandy Pierce
Sara Geelan
Sarah Magnelia
Sara Talley
Shannon Keirans
Shaquille Dukes
Sharon Pinkenson
Sharon Thompson
Sheila Richman
Shelly Mammuth Smith
Sheri Utain
Sherri Wasser
Shiri Sandler
Sophia Ranalli
Sophia Seifert
Stella Davis
Stella Kondonijakos
Stephanie Booker
Stephanie Craighead
Stephanie Marblestone
Stuart Race
Suzzie Byron
Sybil Murphy
Teresa Cavacino
Theresa Kaskey
Thomas Ginsberg
Thomas Keebler
Tim DeSimone
Tim Hoffman
Timothy Babbage
Todd Bonin
Tom Nolan
Venus Sanders
Victoria Wylie
Walter Gomsi
Walter Tsou
Wayne Chiles
Wendelyn Bolles
Wendy Born
Wendy Epstein
Wendy Gabriele
Will Danowski
William Pomeroy
William Rabadi
William Vuong
Grants Under Management Active Grants in Fiscal Year 2023
Project
Abbott Elementary
Act 158 Community Engagement
Adopt A School
Arts Education
Athletics
Back To School Bus Tour
Bethune Elementary School
Board of Education
Bodine Athletics
Child’s Playspace
Crisis Emergency Fund
Early Literacy Programs
Education Pod and Resource Center
Family Support Fund
Flag Football
Francis Scott Key Elementary Playground Construction
G. W. Carver High School
G. W. Childs Elementary school
George Meade School Library
George W. Nebinger School
Gibson Gives Music Scholarship
Give a Band
Goldman Sachs Social Studies Speaker Series
Graduation Assistance Fund
Green Futures
Greenfield Home & School Association
GSK – Increasing Equity in Philadelphia STEM Instruction
GSK – Stem Resources for K-12 (STEM Lending Library & STEM Mini Grants)
Hess Foundation – Playground
J. B. Kelly School Library Fund
Jerome Zaslow Memorial Scholarship
John Hopkins University
Kensington Football
Kind Mastbaum Fund
Leveling the Playing Field
Live & Learn Summer Learning
Mayor’s Suite
McCloskey School – STEAM
McLean – Andrew Hamilton School
Meet Me at the Museum
Mellon All City Music
Mic’d Up – For Music Education
Mic’d Up – Philly Drumline
Middle Years Alternative School – Musicopia
Mock Trial Project
New Teacher Orientation
Non-Profit Leadership Development
Our Class Our Future
Philly FUNDamentals
Powel Project
Principal Awards
Read to Succeed
Refurbishment Fund – Fiesta Schoolyards
Romy Foundation
Santander – Ben Franklin School
School Music Program & Instrument Repair
School Supply Fund
Science Leadership Academy
Senior of the Month
Specific School Programs
Student Achievers & College Signing Day
Teach and Reach
Teacher Awards
Teacher Development
Technology Development
The Giant Company Fund
Tobias Harris Fund
William Penn – Playful Learning Grant
William Penn – RCSI
William Penn – Stormwater Grant
Young Artists Fund
Statement of Financial Position
Our Board
Ed Zimmermann, Board Chair
David Eric Thomas, Board Vice-Chair
Robert W. Bogle, Board Treasurer
Sylvie Gallier Howard, Board Secretary
Robert Archie, Board Member
Keith Bethel, Board Member
Kathryn Block, Board Member
Sheldon M. Bonovitz, Board Member
Rev. Bonnie Camarda, Board Member
Aliya Catanch-Bradley, Board Member
Kimlime Chek-Taylor, Board Member
Harold Honickman, Board Member
Susan Jacobson, Board Member
Keith Leaphart, Board Member
Gina A. Montana, Board Member
Stephanie W. Naidoff, Board Member
Jennifer Rice, Board Member
Richard Vague, Board Member
Richard Worley, Board Member
Emeritus Board
Helen Cunningham
Feather Houstoun
Donn G. Scott
Christina Weiss Lurie
