Making History Click to Learn More make a gift to the penn parents fund
 
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The Parents Fund supports education at the University. Parents of students who contribute support programs & initiatives that enhance the academic experience.

Parents Fund Frequently Asked Questions

Penn’s Parents Fund supports undergraduate education and is a vital funding source that creates unique opportunities for students and enhances programs across campus. Each year thousands of parents and grandparents help shape the Penn experience with their unrestricted gifts.

GiftsWhat is an unrestricted gift?

An unrestricted gift is a gift that is not designated for a specific purpose. It is the most flexible kind of support that can be used in a timely way to meet the University's greatest needs. These funds allow Penn to rise to new challenges and achieve excellence both in and beyond the classroom experience. Many of the University's most innovative initiatives were made possible because of unrestricted resources.

What do gifts to The Parents Fund support?

Parents Fund Support Diagram

Your unrestricted support helps fulfill the immediate needs of the University – supporting the undergraduate experience in areas such as financial aid, residential enhancements, student life and academic support.  

51% Student Financial Aid
More than 40% of undergraduates receive financial support directly from the University. Penn's FY'06 undergraduate financial aid budget exceeded $75 million, of which only $10.5 million is covered by endowment income. The balance comes from the general operating budget, which relies on gifts from parents and alumni.

24% Residential Experience
The quality of residential life is key to attracting students and remaining competitive. But most important is Penn's ability to give students a comfortable and secure community in which to live. Gifts to The Parents Fund support such projects as innovative programming in the College Houses and refurbishing of residential study areas.

16% Student Life and Academic Support
The myriad activities that enliven the University campus and foster learning are supported in part by The Parents Fund. A portion of gifts is directed toward Penn's "learning hubs" such as Kelly Writers House, Civic House, Weiss Tech House, and the Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships.

9% Special Initiatives
As part of a continuing technology upgrade program, infrastructure overhauls are being made to classrooms across campus to allow for installment of new computers, audio-visual systems, and telecommunications equipment. Innovative academic projects, such as the Penn Reading Project held during New Student Orientation, also receive support from Parents Fund gifts.

What is the difference between The Parents Fund and The Penn Fund?

The Parents Fund differs from The Penn Fund in only one significant way – who is giving the gift. The Parents Fund is the unrestricted fund for parent giving, whereas The Penn Fund if the unrestricted fund for undergraduate alumni giving. This separation allows Penn to recognize the special nature of parent giving and the constant growth in support from Penn parents to the University. These two unrestricted funds are both vital in Penn’s growth, standards of excellence and rankings among the Ivy League universities.

How much money does The Parents Fund raise?

In the school year of 2006-2007, the Parents Fund successfully raised $1.75 million in unrestricted funds from more than 2,605 donors. For this year, 2007-2008 (which ends 6/30/08), our goal is to raise $1.9 million from 3,000 parent donors. Please visit our progress report for the latest Parents Fund update.

What calendar does The Parents Fund use to recognize gifts?

Penn’s fiscal year begins July 1 and ends June 30.

What is the Benjamin Franklin Society?

Members of the Benjamin Franklin Society (BFS) represent leadership giving at its finest. Alumni, parents and friends who contribute $2,500 or more become part of Penn’s most distinguished annual giving society and play a vital role in supporting Penn’s position as a leader in undergraduate programs. Members of BFS form the most critical base of support for the University and serve as a powerful motivator for garnering greater participation in The Parents Fund and The Penn Fund. Through their vision and generosity, members of the Benjamin Franklin Society are an inspiration and example to others and unite alumni, friends, and parents in Penn’s service. The Benjamin Franklin Society offers four (4) levels of membership:

Levels of Support

Ambassador
 $25,000 or more
Founder
 $10,000 to $24,999
Fellow
 $5,000 to $9,999
Associate
 $2,500 to $4,999

What is the Senior Parents Project?

Penn-Faqs

Each year the parents of the senior class allocate their senior parent fund gifts to a special project. This gift allows parents of graduating seniors to recognize both their child's achievements and the potential of future students. Learn about the Senior Parents Project for the parents of the Class of 2008.

What if I can only make a “small” gift to The Parents Fund?

No gift is a small gift! All Parents Fund donors—no matter the size of their gift—enrich life at Penn. Smaller gifts add up quickly to make a significant difference over a year, and allow Penn to make valuable improvements in undergraduate life as they are needed. Every gift makes a difference, and strengthens parents’ relationships to Penn. Gifts from parents are a show of involvement, passion and confidence in Penn, and strengthen our University's stature.

How can I volunteer to help the Parents Fund?

The Parents Program invites parents to participate in parent phone-a-thons that are held on campus and regionally. Parents who passionately believe in Penn and are who want to help the Parents Fund reach its goals through connecting with fellow Penn parents are encouraged to contact Sarah Ruegger, Assistant Director of the Parents Program at 215-898-3639 or sruegger@upenn.edu to volunteer and learn more about getting involved.

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact our office at (215) 746-4646 or via e-mail at ppparents@ben.dev.upenn.edu

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