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The Philadelphia Education Fund supports students along their paths to economic mobility by providing resources and expertise needed for college and career success.

Nilah Swan joined PEF in early 2026 as a Spark Program Coordinator, working to provide 7th and 8th graders with early co...
09/30/2026

Nilah Swan joined PEF in early 2026 as a Spark Program Coordinator, working to provide 7th and 8th graders with early college and career exposure experiences and social-emotional skill building curriculum.

Her time as a student teacher prepared her well. It’s where she learned to cultivate classroom management, and working with students in different environments taught her how to adapt and differentiate her teaching - skills she uses at PEF every day.

Her favorite moments come when students tell her they loved a trip or a lesson, or simply that they love that Spark exists!

🎤 “It makes me feel great that I can be a part of such a great program.”

Working across different schools has changed her perspective. Navigating each school’s culture has shaped how she walks into a space, how she interacts with students, and how she handles issues as they arise. For this new school year, she’s excited to meet new students and embark on fun job site trips!

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08/13/2026

A new school year is more than a fresh start, it’s an opportunity to build a plan for success 🎓 

Our President & CEO, Farah Jimenez, was invited to join Jenna Meissner on the PHL17 Morning News today, to share practical tips for students and families heading into the new school year 🎒📚📝 

Farah emphasized the power of making a plan (and writing it down), the importance of identifying the trusted adults in your network who want to support you, and how to make the most of school and community resources, including PhillyGoes2College, which is powered by PEF💫 

She also highlighted why it’s never too early to think about what comes next. Early college and career planning can help students build confidence, explore their options, and connect with the support they need to reach their goals 🏆 

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Every spring, we celebrate one of our favorite milestones: honoring a new class of Philadelphia Scholars as they graduat...
07/24/2026

Every spring, we celebrate one of our favorite milestones: honoring a new class of Philadelphia Scholars as they graduate from college 🎓🎉

Many of these graduates first connected with PEF as freshmen in high school through our College Access Program, then went on to receive Last Dollar Scholarships that helped make earning their degrees possible. We are incredibly proud of everything they have achieved and grateful to have been part of their journey. Congratulations to this year’s graduates - we can’t wait to see all they accomplish next 🌟

Congratulations to Washika Tanha, pictured here with her College Access Program Coordinator from Furness High School Furness High, Kelsey Smith. Washika recently graduated from Drexel’s Dornsife School of Public Health Drexel Dornsife School of Public Health.

Since 1990, the Philadelphia Scholars program has helped thousands of Philadelphia students access and succeed in college by pairing last-dollar scholarships with personalized advising and career support. Today, the program serves students from PEF’s six partner high schools, awarding approximately $720,000 in scholarships each year to help remove financial barriers and support students through college completion.

Beyond funding scholarships and college success advising, Philadelphia Scholars offers individuals, families, and organizations the opportunity to create customized scholarship funds that reflect their personal philanthropic priorities and invest directly in Philadelphia’s future. From designing application criteria to selecting recipients and managing scholarship funds, PEF provides start-to-finish support for donors looking to make a lasting impact 💙

To learn more about creating a scholarship through Philadelphia Scholars, please contact Emily Jordan at [email protected].

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Every spring, we celebrate one of our favorite milestones: honoring a new class of Philadelphia Scholars as they graduate from college 🎓🎉

Many of these graduates first connected with PEF as freshmen in high school through our College Access Program, then went on to receive Last Dollar Scholarships that helped make earning their degrees possi

06/18/2026

🎥 Delighted to share our new video 🎬

The Philadelphia Education Fund (PEF) is a nonprofit organization committed to connecting students in Philadelphia’s schools with the support and resources they need to recognize and act on their potential to achieve postsecondary success and build fulfilling careers.

💙 PEF’s comprehensive approach includes four core areas:

STUDENT PROGRAMMING ⭐️ Every year, more than 2,000 young Philadelphians receive the advising, experiences, and college and career guidance they need to move forward with confidence from middle school through college graduation. And through Philadelphia Scholars, over $720,000 in scholarships ensures that finances don’t stand between a student and their degree.

SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS ⭐️ PEF works with school leaders to shift what students believe is possible, helping more young people see college as a real option. Through teacher training and STEM curriculum development, more classrooms become places where students see themselves on a path to college, career, and long-term success.

CITYWIDE LEADERSHIP ⭐️ PEF serves as the coordinating partner for three citywide initiatives, bringing together community organizations, the School District of Philadelphia School District Philadelphia, and government bodies to make college access, STEM education, and STEM career pathways a reality for more Philadelphia students.

ONLINE RESOURCES ⭐️ PhillyGoes2College PhillyGoes2College puts college guidance in everyone’s hands. The platform helps Philadelphians of all ages plan, apply, and pay for college and explore the full range of options available to them after high school - meeting people where they are, whenever they’re ready.

06/03/2026

We’re honored to have received this congratulatory message from Lt. Governor Austin Davis on the eve of our 40th Anniversary Gala 🎉

Thank you for recognizing PEF’s contributions to the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth by supporting students in accessing opportunities and achieving success 🎓⭐️

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Tomorrow, we celebrate 40 years of impact at PEF’s 40th Anniversary Gala. As we conclude our People of PEF campaign, we’...
06/03/2026

Tomorrow, we celebrate 40 years of impact at PEF’s 40th Anniversary Gala. As we conclude our People of PEF campaign, we’re reflecting on the powerful stories, experiences, and voices that have brought our mission to life over the past several weeks. We’re grateful to everyone who shared their journey with us. From students finding their path to educators and partners creating opportunities, these stories showcase the lasting impact of access, support, and a community committed to student success 🎓

For our final spotlight, we’re featuring Sary Rosado, a PEF alumna who reflected on the role PEF played in her college journey:

“PEF showed me the steps I needed to gain access to college. I knew the pathway, but I didn’t have the steps. PEF provided that foundation of steps to ensure success, offering not only advisors, support, and financial aid to ensure gaps were met and our time was smooth and memorable.”

We look forward to honoring our organization’s legacy of expanding access and opportunity at tomorrow evening’s Gala and recognizing the educators, advocates, alumni, and partners who have shaped this important work and its impact across Philadelphia ⭐️

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Today, we’re spotlighting Cathey White as part of our “People of PEF” campaign celebrating the people who helped shape P...
06/01/2026

Today, we’re spotlighting Cathey White as part of our “People of PEF” campaign celebrating the people who helped shape Philadelphia Education Fund’s first four decades of impact 💙

During her time at PEF, Cathey, who is now the Director of Special Projects in the Office of Postsecondary Readiness at the School District of Philadelphia , managed PEF’s College Access Center, which was located in The Gallery at Market East 🎓

“To me, college access is about ensuring no student’s future is limited by what they don’t know. It requires a commitment to due diligence—guiding families through every postsecondary option to find the ‘best fit’ socially, academically, and financially. The ultimate goal isn’t just an acceptance letter, but a degree in hand that empowers students to earn a sustainable wage and take their rightful seat at the table of the modern economy.”

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As we count down to PEF’s 40th Anniversary Gala (5 DAYS TO GO!) we’re continuing to spotlight the people that help illum...
05/30/2026

As we count down to PEF’s 40th Anniversary Gala (5 DAYS TO GO!) we’re continuing to spotlight the people that help illuminate our legacy of impact, including those educators, leaders, and advocates whose work reflects the power of sustained support and opportunity. Today, we’re featuring Richard Gordon , who partnered with PEF’s consultancy practice to improve the college-going culture at Paul Robeson High School that changed outcomes — and possibilities — for students for years to come.

“The Philadelphia Education Fund was integral to our success at Paul Robeson High School , partnering with me and my leadership team monthly to plan strategically around academics, graduation, on-track performance, and post-secondary opportunities. Their guidance helped us achieve historic milestones, including sending a student to Harvard University—the first Ivy League acceptance in our school’s history—and cultivating a college-going culture that contributed to my recognition as a three-time National Principal of the Year and Pennsylvania Principal of the Year, the first in the 208-year history of the School District of Philadelphia .

Forty years later, the Philadelphia Education Fund’s mission continues to embody the values that guided my work at Paul Robeson High School, championing equity, opportunity, and belief in every student. Through their sustained partnership and strategic guidance, we built a college-going culture that produced historic accomplishments and empowered students to believe in their potential—work that continues to inspire me today in my role as Assistant Superintendent of Philadelphia’s largest high school network.

Join us on June 4 as we celebrate our 40th Anniversary during an evening of cocktails, dinner, awards, and an engaging conversation on the future of education.

TAP LINK IN BIO FOR DETAILS ℹ️ & TICKETS 🎟️ (on sale until Monday at 4:00pm)

PEF’s 40th Anniversary Gala is one week away, and as we near this milestone event, we’re celebrating the people and pers...
05/28/2026

PEF’s 40th Anniversary Gala is one week away, and as we near this milestone event, we’re celebrating the people and perspectives that define our impact. From first steps to full-circle moments, these stories show what’s possible with access and opportunity 💙

⭐️ ALBERLIN DEL ORBE RODRIQUEZ ⭐️

• College Access Program & Philadelphia Scholars Alum
• Graduated from Olney High School in 2017
• Graduated from Penn State Abington in 2021
• Working at PSU Abington as an Admissions Counselor

“For me, college access means having someone show you that college is possible, especially when you’re the first in your family trying to figure it all out. It’s about having guidance, resources, and encouragement to understand the process and feel confident about pursuing higher education. College access helped me see opportunities I didn’t even know existed and played a big role in shaping the path I’m on today.”

A few tickets for the June 4 Anniversary Gala are still available 🎉

TAP LINK 🔗 IN BIO FOR DETAILS ℹ️ & TICKETS 🎟️

Today, we’re spotlighting Tim Wilson as part of our “People of PEF” campaign celebrating the people who helped shape Phi...
05/26/2026

Today, we’re spotlighting Tim Wilson as part of our “People of PEF” campaign celebrating the people who helped shape Philadelphia Education Fund’s first four decades of impact.

Tim served as a Program Officer during PEF’s first decade, working with the organization from 1986–1996 as PEF grew and transitioned between four different Center City office locations. During his time at PEF, he managed a mini grants program and supported initiatives focused on middle school education and library access. Tim’s “THEN” photo includes a PEF colleague, Shannon Richardson.

Reflecting on PEF’s 40th anniversary, Tim shares, “I’m delighted that PEF is still going strong after 40 years, continuing to open doors for Philadelphia’s greatest asset – its youth!”

As we celebrate 40 years of expanding access and opportunity, we’re honored to share the stories of the educators, advocates, alumni, and partners who helped build this work.

Join us on Thursday, June 4 for our 40th Anniversary Gala as we honor the community behind the impact and help power the next chapter for Philadelphia students.

TAP LINK 🔗 IN BIO FOR DETAILS ℹ️ & TICKETS 🎟️

Address

718 Arch Street, Suite 700N
Philadelphia, PA
19106

Telephone

+12156651400

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