The Franks with members of the SPC

Through the generous gift of Charles A. Frank, III, Hill School Class of ’59, and his wife, Elizabeth, Hill School students now have the opportunity to learn about the value and processes of philanthropy – and to provide funds to Pottstown organizations with missions that range from educating children to greening community parks. 

On Thursday, October 2, Mr. and Mrs. Frank visited campus to officially launch a new program – the “Student Philanthropy Council” (SPC). The Franks met with Caitlin Klein '09 of Reading, Pa., president of the SPC; Tyler Gofus '09 of Pottstown, Pa., the vice-president; and the 12 young men and women who have been selected from nearly 50 student applicants eager to serve their School and the Pottstown community through this distinctive experience.  The event was covered by local media.

The 12 students who now serve on the SPC are: Jacie Specht '09 of Pottstown, Pa.; Nina Alpert '11 of Crofton, Md.; Hannah Lagor '10 of Pottstown, Pa.; Jae Yeol Choe '09 of Seoul, Korea; Gretta Witter '10 of Douglassville, Pa.; Katie Gibbs '11 of Orinda, Calif.; Erica Clapp '10 of Wyomissing, Pa.; Jennifer Kang '10 of Seoul, Korea; Maggie Meagher '10 of Charlottesville, Va.; Bob Dougherty '11 of Pottstown, Pa.; Stone Zhang '09 of Downingtown, Pa.; and Peter Bachich '10 of Glenmoore, Pa.

“We do not know of many other high schools in the nation that offer something like this, and there are only a few universities that claim a similar program,” notes Klein, adding that Cornell, Davidson, and Colgate are a few of the colleges known to have created such endeavors.

Program vision

The Franks’ vision for the program is tied to their wide-ranging involvement with civic endeavors and to their passionate, shared belief that young people should volunteer their time and efforts to benefit their communities – and that, through such efforts, students will develop life-long philanthropic habits and interests.

After much thought as well as some preliminary research, the Franks decided last year to make a generous gift of $35,000 to The Hill for the purpose of establishing the SPC. To get the program started, last summer two student leaders, Klein and 2008 Hill graduate Caitlin Manak, of Pottstown, conducted research and created a “manual” regarding the operation of philanthropic organizations.

The 12 SPC representatives were selected by the SPC student leaders, based on the quality of their written applications, interviews, and their sincere interest in committing considerable time to the group. The SPC will meet once a week to study the history and processes of philanthropy and – by Hill’s winter term – to create and distribute Requests for Proposals to Pottstown area nonprofits. The students, with support from two faculty advisers -- Mrs. Kay Dougherty and Mr. Daniel Bettendorf, also will visit the sites of the various organizations and talk with the administrators there. In the spring, a total of $10,000 will be distributed between three to five Pottstown nonprofit agencies. A dinner will be held at Hill’s Center For The Arts on Monday, April 27 to honor the work of the SPC grant recipient organizations.

Caitlin Klein, Tyler Gofus, Betty & Charlie Frank

The $20,000 remaining from the Frank’s initial gift will be distributed by the SPC to the Pottstown community over the following two years. The Franks said their hope is that this effort can be continued by The Hill, beyond the program’s first three years. We feel very, very strongly about this,” says Betty, noting that they were thrilled to learn of Hill students’ enthusiastic interest in participating in this volunteer program.

“Our vision for encouraging a continuing ‘philanthropic culture’ among Hill students is based upon our belief that students who become involved with helping others will continue to have a positive impact upon the world they inhabit,” Charlie notes. “Part of The Hill School’s mission is to ‘prepare students well for excellence in college, careers, and life’ – and certainly a part of this ‘excellence’ involves selflessly giving back to one’s community, as well as to organizations that have shaped one’s successes.”

“In focusing on improving our local community, we are creating a ‘win-win’ situation,” says Caitlin Klein, continuing: “We want to help our neighboring community in its efforts to be healthier and cleaner; we want to strengthen the ties Hill has with Pottstown through community service and other interactions, such as cultural programs; and we want to help make a difference for local charitable organizations.”

The Franks plan to take a “hands off” approach to the SPC – although they eagerly look forward to periodic updates from the students involved.

Below is an excerpt from an October 4 Pottstown Mercury article written by Evan Brandt. Frank had said he wanted to enhance the "philanthropic culture" at The Hill:

The model for instilling that culture came when Elizabeth Frank read a New York Times article three years ago about a program at Colgate University by which students decided on donations to organizations to benefit Hamilton, the upstate New York town where the college is located.

The couple brought the idea to The Hill, where both their sons Garrett (class of 1988) and Reade (class of 1990) graduated....

"I have been blown away by how far The Hill School has come in having an interest in volunteering," said Charles Frank. "It's exciting and this is carrying it one step further."

The idea is to teach the students how philanthropy works and to create a tradition of philanthropy that will benefit both Pottstown and The Hill in future years.

"You will find out that it is not that easy to give away money," Elizabeth Frank told the students. "It really isn't. If you intend to do a thorough job, it's not a piece of cake. It takes a lot of energy."

That energy will be provided by a board of 12 students, seven of whom are from either Pottstown or nearby southeastern Pennsylvania towns.

"This is a rare opportunity for students at The Hill to learn firsthand about the importance of giving and they will be setting an example for others," said Kay Dougherty, who will advise the group along with mathematics instructor Daniel Bettendorf.

"You are going to determine how successful this is," said Charles Frank, who is a retired vice president of Mellon Bank in Philadelphia and served on The Hill's Board of Trustees for 25 years, the last 10 as its chairman.

"This is really your program; it will be student-led, which is wonderful," he said. "And the first year will be critical" in determining the program's success and creating a model that other benefactors will support in future years.

"We think this will help create an opportunity to do better in future (fundraising) campaigns," Charles Frank said, "and help the students learn how they can be an influence for good in the world they inhabit."

The program will also "demonstrate to our alumni, parents and friends that The Hill School is serious about philanthropy," Charles Frank said.

"And it is an opportunity to make an impact on the relationship between The Hill School and Pottstown in a very positive way," he said. "This is absolutely a win-win-win."

Click here to read more about Betty and Charlie Frank '59.