The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia will launch a new plan focused on promoting success in Philadelphia’s public schools as a way to encourage talented people to live and stay in the city. The plan is supported by $250,000 from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
The fund is committed to making a difference in the lives of 142,000 public school students in Philadelphia, by ensuring people invest in and support public education through public-private partnerships. It aims to create more opportunities for student achievement and improve the quality of education in public schools, as a way to help attract and retain talented millennials as they make residential decisions for their families.
“Knight funding will help us build the infrastructure to create a community of informed investors in Philadelphia’s public schools,” said Donna Frisby-Greenwood, the new CEO of The Fund for the School District of Philadelphia. “As we champion the strategic priorities shown to propel student success, we need to help stakeholders understand why, how and when to make smart investments in our public schools.”
“By helping people understand and support the work being done to improve Philadelphia schools, the fund will explore new ways of encouraging people to build their lives and raise their families in Philadelphia,” said Carol Coletta, Knight Foundation vice president for community and national initiatives.