The Pennington School was awarded a $100,000 grant from the Edward E. Ford Foundation to support the School’s Student Assistance Fund. The grant was awarded in June 2024 through a competitive application process and requires that the School raise an additional $200,000 in support for the Student Assistance Fund over the coming year. The Pennington School was one of 12 independent schools and two associations worldwide to receive a grant from the Foundation in June. 

The Edward E. Ford Foundation, established in 1957, seeks to improve secondary education by supporting U.S. independent schools and encouraging promising practices and has awarded over $127 million since its inception. Pennington’s Student Assistance Fund, which provides essential funding to cover the full cost of the Pennington experience for qualified students, was an excellent match for the foundation’s mission.

The Pennington School first launched its Student Assistance Fund in 2016, recognizing that while traditional financial aid funding provides access, it does not cover the full cost of attendance. The Student Assistance Fund ensures that all students, regardless of financial ability, can fully engage in all the School has to offer. The fund covers expenses such as school supplies, athletic equipment, and activity fees, and provides access to the full range of experiences available to Pennington students. The fund has grown to support approximately fifty students each year. In addition to the monetary assistance provided to students by the Student Assistance Fund, students are also supported by the Upper School dean of students, who meets regularly throughout the academic year with them to offer mentorship and guidance.

Head of School William S. Hawkey, PhD, who spoke directly with Edward E. Ford Foundation Executive Director John Gulla, said, “The Student Assistance Fund is core to our mission. It ensures that financial barriers don’t prohibit our students from developing individual excellence. It reinforces the strong web of support and care that allows all students to reach their full potential.”

The $100,000 grant, which will be received once the School has secured the matching funds, will provide annual support for the Student Assistance Fund over a three-year period. Matching contributions from the Pennington community must be received by July 31, 2025, and can be directed either to provide annual support to the fund or can be directed to Pennington’s Student Assistance Fund endowment to ensure the program continues in perpetuity.

The Student Assistance Fund is one of the student experience priorities in the Forever Pennington campaign. Gifts received over the next year in support of the Student Assistance Fund and corresponding endowment will count toward the required match and will be recognized as contributions to the Forever Pennington campaign. 

If you would like to learn more about the grant and how you can support this initiative, please contact Assistant Head of School for Advancement and Strategic Initiatives Charlie Brown at cbrown@pennington.org.