Because barriers to quality education are
barriers to economic and social success
There is no limit to the potential education can unlock.
About the campaign
Every school year that goes by with thousands of Philadelphia students turned away from opportunities to succeed in an environment that best suits them is a year in which unjust barriers are allowed to stand. CSFP aims to give students who would otherwise attend a low-performing school the chance to seek other options. We ask you to join us in breaking down barriers and in lifting up Philadelphia students.
We strive to help create a future in which unjust barriers are not allowed to stand, where Philly kids can graduate from college or a post-secondary program of their choosing, and where students don’t have to worry about the financial implications of a quality, safe education. We ask you to join us in breaking those barriers down and in lifting those young people up.
In order to help more Philly Kids achieve economic and social success, Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia (CSFP) is committed to breaking barriers through this $100 million campaign.
Between now and 2027, we aim to:
Remove the existing 4-year limit on scholarships, so that all families and students receive support through completion of 8th grade and
Increase scholarship amounts and adopt a minimum scholarship level so that most families receive more money while
Continue to award up to 2,000 new scholarships each year and
Maintain an all-time high scholar retention rate of 85% in order to
Increase the total number of students receiving scholarships to 7,700 by 2027 as we also
Enhance programs that support families and improve the scholars’ experience.
With your help,
we can serve more students longer
Why Support Breaking Barriers?
At CSFP, we aspire to be part of a future in which all children in Philadelphia have a safe, quality education and their success breaks the cycle of generational poverty.
To date, CSFP has awarded scholarships to more than 33,500 students. As recently as 2024,
- 80% of those we serve are students of color.
- Their families’ median household income is $43,155.
- 67% live in Philadelphia neighborhoods with the lowest performing public schools.
And we know that scholarships work!
of CSFP 8th graders attend high schools of choice, including some of the most selective schools*
of CSFP alums enrolled in college (vs 51% in the Philadelphia School District)**
* Data are for students in the 8th grade class of 2024.
** Data are for students graduating in the high school class of 2023.
Through scholarships, you can help bring our vision to life and make an investment in the future of Philly Kids.
Campaign progress
Follow along as we break barriers for thousands of Philadelphia students.
invested in #PhillyKids as of
May 16, 2025.
“To receive the best education possible suited to Josephine”
Josephine
“To have the opportunity to get the best education in order to have a bright future doing what he loves.”
Christopher
Press
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Children’s Scholarship Fund hires the organization’s first chief advancement officer
Jennifer K. Burns joins Philadelphia education non-profit in newly created role PHILADELPHIA – Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia (CSFP) today announced the organization has hired Jennifer K. Burns as its first-ever Chief Advancement Officer, a position created to build relationships; enhance organizational reach and perception; and oversee annual fundraising and marketing strategies. Burns will lead CSFP’s […]
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Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia announces $1.2 million gift from The Connelly Foundation
The Connelly Foundation provided $1.2M towards capacity building, marking the largest operations gift received to-date PHILADELPHIA – Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia (CSFP) is pleased to announce that the organization has been awarded a 3-year, $1.2 million capacity building grant from the Connelly Foundation. This multi-year gift is the first of its kind for CSFP and […]
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Hamilton Family Charitable Trust announces a multi-year $1.5 million investment to Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia
This Investment includes a 2023 Gift Matching Challenge PHILADELPHIA – The Hamilton Family Charitable Trust (“the Trust”) announced a $1.5 million investment in Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia (CSFP), a non-profit providing K-8th grade scholarships to thousands of Philadelphia students every year. This new, multi-year investment marks the largest contribution the Trust made to CSFP in […]
Newsletter
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Winter 2025: Barriers Broken
The Winter installment of CSFP’s quarterly Breaking Barriers Campaign newsletter covers March Virtual Lottery Day, CSFP welcoming new Board members, a supporter spotlight on SD Associates PC, how our organization continues to work towards our Breaking Barriers campaign goals, and more.
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Fall 2024: Barriers Broken
The Fall installment of CSFP’s quarterly Breaking Barriers Campaign newsletter covers Lottery Day 2024, one of our 4th grade scholars, how our organization continues to work towards our Breaking Barriers campaign goals, and more.
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Summer 2024: Barriers Broken
The summer installment of CSFP’s quarterly Breaking Barriers Campaign newsletter: See CSFP’s Student and School Outcomes Report, Scholar Highlights, Donor Highlight, and Campaign Updates
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Winter 2024: Barriers Broken
The winter installment of CSFP’s quarterly Breaking Barriers Campaign newsletter: See CSFP’s 2023 Recap and 2024 Resolutions; learn about campaign leadership updates and our campaign progress; read about our partner school, Visitation BVM.
Donor Honor Roll
Thank you to each and every supporter who is investing in hope, opportunity, and success for Philly Kids. We are grateful for your shared leadership, vision, and support. Your commitment is deeply appreciated.
Thank you to our corporate and institutional supporters. We are incredibly grateful for your investment in Philly Kids. To see the full list of supporters, visit our Donor Honor Roll page.
Get Involved
Through this campaign, you can make an essential investment in this vision. You can give in a variety of ways:
Gifts via the EITC/OSTC Pennsylvania tax credit program (for individuals or businesses)
Outright donations via check, wire transfer, or credit card
Donor-advised fund distributions
Stock gifts (contact [email protected] for instructions)
IRA distributions
RMD distributions
Assets donated in kind
Sponsor an event
You can also do something more:
Make a donation
Volunteer
Join the Breaking Barriers campaign volunteer group and donate your time.
Contact us
Fill out this form to get in touch with us.