"We prepare students to engage in the world that is and to help bring about a world that ought to be."
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Support Friends
How does Friends support operating expenses?
With an annual budget of $45.1 million (2019-20), Friends Seminary depends on voluntary gifts to help extend its budget. The School’s income comprises four main sources: tuition (84%), the Fund for Friends (annual giving) (7%), other income including auxiliary programs (6%) and interest from the endowment (3%).
The Fund for Friends (annual giving)
Each year, Friends asks every member of the community to make a gift to the Fund for Friends. Comprising approximately 7% of the annual operating budget, gifts to the Fund for Friends provide vital resources for respectful and competitive teacher salaries, financial aid, academic and extra-curricular programming, professional development and other initiatives. Sustaining or increasing support for the Fund for Friends is the most important way one can support the School philanthropically. The high level of participation is a testament to the strength of the Friends Seminary community.
Why is Participation so Important?
A high level of participation is a testament to the strength of the Friends Seminary community. It signals to the wider community that Friends parents, alumni, and faculty believe in and support the mission of our school. Every gift, regardless of the size is deeply appreciated and directly improves the lives of our students and faculty.
How does Friends advance as an institution?
Capital and Endowment Campaigns
Every few years, Friends conducts capital campaigns to support long-term capital projects including building renovations, additions to the physical plant and increasing the School’s endowment. Capital campaigns strengthen the School’s ability to carry out our unique mission and build upon our Quaker values.
Every few years, Friends conducts capital campaigns to support long-term capital projects including building renovations, additions to the physical plant and increasing the School’s endowment. Capital campaigns strengthen the School’s ability to carry out our unique mission and build upon our Quaker values.
The completion of the School’s master plan, first envisioned in 2001, was made possible through two capital campaigns. The first campaign, Lift Every Voice (LEV), was completed in 2008 and the second, Light the Future (LTF) in 2019. LTF raised $55.2M for the Campus Redevelopment Project, Endowment and the continued growth of the Fund for Friends (annual giving). The goals of LTF were to advance academic excellence, create an ADA-compliant campus and enhance community. The successful conclusion of LTF was celebrated in September 2019 with the opening of the new Townhouse Building. To read the final campaign report, click here.
Planned Giving: Friends for the Future
Following the generous example of Robert Murray, a Quaker whose bequest opened the doors of Friends Seminary in 1786, you can positively impact the School through Friends for the Future, our planned giving program. A planned gift may allow you to make a larger gift than you might have thought possible. Planned gifts can take many forms, from a bequest to an insurance policy to a trust. Click here for more on Planned Giving.
Following the generous example of Robert Murray, a Quaker whose bequest opened the doors of Friends Seminary in 1786, you can positively impact the School through Friends for the Future, our planned giving program. A planned gift may allow you to make a larger gift than you might have thought possible. Planned gifts can take many forms, from a bequest to an insurance policy to a trust. Click here for more on Planned Giving.
In what other ways can I support Friends?
Volunteering
Parents support the School as volunteers, giving time, energy and skills with Admissions, the Benefit, the Fund for Friends (annual giving), Library, Lunar New Year celebration, Maker Day, Parents Association, Senior Dinner and Gift. Alumni are invited to serve as Class Agents, Reunion Giving Chairs and Class Secretaries. Click here to sign up.
Sandra Jelin Plouffe ’93 Exemplary Volunteer Commendation
The Commendation is an award given to members of the Friends Seminary community who have distinguished themselves through extraordinary contributions to the School community through service, over a number of years and in a number of roles. It was established in 2018 in memory of Sandra Jelin Plouffe ’93, who served Friends Seminary as a volunteer for more than 20 years. The School appreciates and honors the contributions of volunteers as it depends on them for their gifts of time and commitment. To learn more about the Commendation and how to nominate a member of our community click here.
Parents support the School as volunteers, giving time, energy and skills with Admissions, the Benefit, the Fund for Friends (annual giving), Library, Lunar New Year celebration, Maker Day, Parents Association, Senior Dinner and Gift. Alumni are invited to serve as Class Agents, Reunion Giving Chairs and Class Secretaries. Click here to sign up.
Sandra Jelin Plouffe ’93 Exemplary Volunteer Commendation
The Commendation is an award given to members of the Friends Seminary community who have distinguished themselves through extraordinary contributions to the School community through service, over a number of years and in a number of roles. It was established in 2018 in memory of Sandra Jelin Plouffe ’93, who served Friends Seminary as a volunteer for more than 20 years. The School appreciates and honors the contributions of volunteers as it depends on them for their gifts of time and commitment. To learn more about the Commendation and how to nominate a member of our community click here.
Friends Seminary actively promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in all its programs and operations, including admissions, financial aid, hiring, and all facets of the educational experience. To form a community which strives to reflect the world’s diversity, we do not discriminate on the basis of race or color, religion, nationality, ethnicity, economic background, physical ability, sex, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation. Friends Seminary is an equal opportunity employer.
Friends Seminary — the oldest continuously operated, coeducational school in NYC — serves college-bound day students in Kindergarten-Grade 12.
