Student Philanthropy Council

The Hill School’s Student Philanthropy Council (SPC) was established in 2008-09 thanks to a generous donation by the late Mr. Charles Frank III ’59 P ’88 ’90 and his wife, Betty. Each year, the SPC awards $30,000 worth of grants to local non-profit organizations to help fund their programs.

The Franks’ goal was to encourage students to learn about the value and processes of philanthropy; develop life-long habits of volunteerism and “giving back”; and provide funds to nonprofits working to enhance the lives of Pottstown-area residents. In 2012, through the Franks' leadership and the generosity of several other donors, The Student Philanthropy Council became an endowed program at the School with the establishment of The Student Philanthropy Council Endowment in honor of Kay and David Dougherty (Hill's Head of School Emeritus, 1993-2012, and his wife).

The 12 SPC members are elected after an application process that looks for students’ genuine interest in altruistic endeavors and in serving the community where Hill makes its home. Each fall, interested organizations are encouraged to submit a grant application to the SPC. Throughout the school year, SPC members meet weekly to evaluate each proposal. The group also visits with each organization to discuss the proposal in person. Grant decisions are made in April, and check presentations occur in late April or early May each year.

2026 Grant Recipients

Members of The Hill School's Student Philanthropy Council and the 2026 recipients

Animal House Project

Animal House Project aims to offer comprehensive support to vulnerable animals. Through dedicated efforts, innovative solutions, and strategic partnerships, they are shaping a future where every companion animal finds a nurturing home free from mistreatment and hunger and receives the devoted care they deserve. The grant will fund the Animal House Project's Companion Pet Food Pantry, which provides pet food to families, ensuring that no animal goes hungry.

Community First Development Corporation

Community First Development Corporation is committed to providing life-enriching, community-based services and resources that inspire and strengthen individuals and families in the areas of health, life skills, education, social development, and economic empowerment. The grant will fund the implementation of a four-week wellness program, R.E.C.E.S.S.

Family Services of Montgomery County

Family Services is committed to improving the lives of people in Montgomery County, PA. The grant will fund emergency meals provided to homebound older adults as a part of the Meals on Wheels program.

Pottstown FARM – Farm & Artisan Regional Market

Pottstown Farm works to provide the Pottstown region, particularly the underserved, with access to fresh, locally grown agricultural products and handmade artisan goods. The grant will support funding for families to make purchases at the market through SNAP & FMNP Check Initiatives.

Girls on the Run of Southeastern Suburban PA

Girls on the Run of Southeastern Suburban PA empowers girls in grades 3–8 to build confidence, strengthen emotional and physical health, and develop lifelong skills through an evidence-based, experience-driven program that combines social-emotional learning with physical activity. The grant will support approximately 84 volunteer coaches needed to facilitate effective sessions that build meaningful connections.

Pottstown Children's Discovery

Pottstown Children's Discovery centers around inspiring curiosity and a love of learning for children in the Pottstown area through hands-on exhibits and educational workshops. The grant will fund free memberships to families at local elementary schools who may not otherwise be able to afford admission.

Reflections of Turtle Island, Inc.

Reflections of Turtle Island works to preserve the culture and community of the past seven generations of local Native American traditions. The grant will support the Annual Powwow on Manatawny Creek.

The Carousel at Pottstown

The Pottstown Carousel’s mission is to be a catalyst for the revitalization and economic growth of downtown Pottstown. The grant will fund ADA accessibility improvements, including a wider double-door entrance with push-button access and a paved pathway from the parking lot.

Variety – the Children’s Charity of the Delaware Valley

Variety – the Children’s Charity of the Delaware Valley is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and young adults with disabilities through programs that nurture independence and self-confidence. The grant will fund accessible matting and tactile installations, ensuring that all students can safely explore and engage with the world around them.

YWCA Tri-County Area

YWCA Tri-County Area is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. The grant will support the Dignity Kitchen food pantry, specifically to improve its infrastructure and capacity through the purchase of appliances and program supplies.

History of the Student Philanthropy Council

Through the generous gift of Charles A. Frank, III '59 P'89 '90 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, 2008, Mr. and Mrs. Frank visited campus to officially launch a new program – the “Student Philanthropy Council” (SPC). The Franks met with Caitlin Klein '09, the first president of the SPC; Tyler Gofus '09 the first vice-president; and the 12 young men and women who were selected from nearly 50 student applicants eager to serve their School and the Pottstown community through this distinctive experience (pictured on right).

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

The Franks’ desire to establish a philanthropy program at The Hill was 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 to make a generous gift of $35,000 to The Hill in 2008 for the purpose of establishing the SPC. To get the program started, Klein and Caitlin Manak '08 conducted research and created a “manual” regarding the operation of philanthropic organizations in the summer of 2008.

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 met once a week to study the history and processes of philanthropy and – by Hill’s winter term – created and distributed Requests for Proposals to Pottstown area nonprofits. The students, with support from the group's first faculty advisers also visited the sites of the various organizations and spoke with each organization's respective administrators. A dinner was held in the Center For The Arts on April 27, 2009 to honor the work of the SPC grant recipient organizations, and the first grants were awarded two days later.

The $20,000 remaining from the Frank’s initial gift was distributed by the SPC to the Pottstown community in 2010 and 2011. The funds for 2012 grants were generously donated by Dr. and Mrs. Clement C. Alpert, grandparents of a member of The Hill's class of 2011. In 2012, through the Franks' leadership and the generosity of several other donors, The Student Philanthropy Council became an endowed program at the School with the establishment of The Student Philanthropy Council Endowment in honor of Kay and David Dougherty.

2025 Grant Recipients

ArtFusion 19464

ArtFusion 19464 is a non-profit community art center that offers art classes for all ages while promoting and showcasing the work of local artists. This year, the organization applied for a grant to fund its Mobile Senior Arts Program, an initiative designed to provide senior citizens with art experiences that engage the mind and body. The program partners with local nursing homes to reach participants and create inclusive, accessible opportunities for artistic expression. The SPC grant will support the program, covering class expenses and materials.

Centro Cultural Latinos Unidos

CCLU is an organization in Pottstown that supports Latino families through education and cultural programs. They offer after-school tutoring and events that celebrate Latino culture. CCLU is a trusted resource for many in the area, working every day to uplift youth in the Pottstown area. The SPC grant will providing funding towards the construction of their quiet corner, a place where students can read and learn without distractions.

Connections Work

Connections Work focuses on providing programs and services for individuals with current or past justice system involvement. The SPC grant will help with the Mother’s/Father’s Voice program. This program allows incarcerated parents in Berks County Jail system to create videos showing them reading books to their kids. Recordings then are shared in DVD format.

The Fight on Makenna Foundation

In 2018, The Fight On Makenna Foundation was founded in honor of the memory of 14-year-old Makenna Massi with the purpose of carrying on her strength and fighting spirit to help other families facing pediatric cancer. This year, the Fight On Makenna Foundation applied as a first-year applicant with the initiatives to help other families with logistical and financial resources, oncology support, nutrition programs, and fitness equipment. This year in particular, in honor of the Allain family, the SPC felt that it was crucial to invest in cancer-related medical support for those who need it the most.

Foundation for Pottstown Education

The Foundation for Pottstown Education’s mission is to raise money and provide support for the educational opportunities of the students and teachers of the Pottstown School District. The SPC grant will fund the purchase of LCD Boards for the students of the North End Learning (ELC) Center. The LCD Boards will be used to help increase student engagement through more interactive learning, visual clarity, and promoting a collaborative environment.

Good Samaritan Services

Good Samaritan Services is an organization centered around helping those struggling with homelessness and poverty in the Pottstown area. As part of their work they provide daily meals and clothing as needed as well as supporting their transition to permanent housing. The SPC grant will fund complimentary bus and car rides for those without access to transportation in order to help participants get to medical appointments, job interviews, and other necessary service providers.

Helping Hands, Inc.

Helping Hands, Inc. is a non-profit dedicated to serving those with intellectual disabilities who are mentally and physically challenged. Our funding will be used to purchase two Interactive whiteboard projectors that will serve 60 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in six classrooms. These whiteboards will allow them to have more interactive ways to engage those working on motor, educational, and social skills.

Making A Difference Economically, Inc.

Making A Difference Economically (MADE) was founded with the goal of providing transformative programs that will help individuals break the cycle of poverty and move towards economic stability. By teaching trade skills - such as plumbing and carpentry – that members of our community can eventually become certified in, MADE aims to raise members of the community up and set them on the path to self-sufficiency. The SPC grant will go towards the purchase of new tools and supplies to help continue and grow their programs, like their Intro to Trades course.

Pottstown Regional Public Library

Pottstown Regional Public Library works to support our diverse community by providing free access to information and resources that educate, inspire, and promote lifelong learning. In the past, the library has offered museum passes that allow families to visit local cultural and historical sites at no cost. With funding from the SPC, they will be able to continue providing these educational opportunities to financially disadvantaged families and individuals who otherwise may not be able to afford them.

Veterans' Island Project @ Memorial Park

Veteran’s Island Project is a non-profit dedicated to honoring the veterans of our community through eye-catching memorials, public art, landscaping, and educational information at Memorial Park. As part of their ongoing efforts, they have completed three murals depicting the Korean War through powerful images of 13 soldiers dressed in rain gear walking together and Sikorskey helicopters flying over the Korean landscape. With the SPC funds, they will be able to complete the series with the fourth mural, painted by local artist and educator, Amber Stadtler, who created the previous works to ensure a cohesive style. This final piece will not only pay tribute to the worthy sacrifices of our veterans but also serve as an educational resource that allows for the community to reflect on the history and service of those who came before us.

Victim Services Center of Montgomery County, Inc.

The Victim Services Center of Montgomery County (VSC) is dedicated to supporting victims of sexual violence and other personal crimes through advocacy and free counseling. Their mission is to empower individuals and communities while promoting prevention and awareness through culturally relevant education programs. VSC strives to create a violence-free society by collaborating with schools and community groups to implement impactful prevention initiatives. The SPC funding will be applied to the implementation of VSC’s Care for Kids program and the "Hot Chocolate Talk" community event. Specifically, the funding will help cover materials and resources used to educate young children about safe and respectful behaviors as well as a community-based initiative designed to engage parents in meaningful conversations about body safety and boundaries.

2024 Grant Recipients

Animal House Project

Mission: Keep pets in safe homes through providing food and veterinary care to their families.
Granted: $2,000 to fund veterinary care, specifically spaying/neutering and vaccinations.

BeReZiliant

Mission: Break down the stigma surrounding mental health and trauma by offering fine arts, aromatherapy-infused education, and various creative mediums to empower individuals to cultivate self-awareness and identify emotional triggers.
Granted: $3,000 to acquire new equipment for the after-school program game room.

Boyertown Area Multi-Service

Mission: Provide resources and services to meet the unfulfilled human and community needs of those within the Greater Pottstown Area.
Granted: $3,000 to acquire new equipment for the after-school program game room.

Good Samaritan Services

Mission: Address the issues of homelessness and poverty by gradually moving people into sustainable permanent housing while giving them skills and support to ensure that they can maintain independence.
Granted: $2,000 to establish computer and printing stations in local residences.

Hearts of Humanity

Mission: Empower community members with life skills that help them to feed themselves to close the gap on food injustice and insecurity creating access to healthy, organic food.
Granted: $1,900 for 15 lateral garden towers, potting mix, insurance, phone service, and Zoom

Pottstown GoFourth!

Mission: Promote the Borough of Pottstown through events and activities that build the strength of the community and encourage civic pride.
Granted: $3,000 for 4th of July Festival.

Pottstown Historical Society

Mission: Collect and archive local artifacts, records, and photographs to preserve the Pottstown area’s rich history, and to provide resources including family records for historical research.
Granted: $2,000 to purchase a new microfiche reader.

Second Wind Bicycles

Mission: Bring the transformative power of bicycles to those who need it most.
Granted: $2,500 for materials to repair bicycles.

Shady Hallow Assisted Riding

Mission: Provide people of all ages and abilities the benefits of experiencing a working farm and interacting with horses.
Granted: $3,000 for new equine therapeutic care program for children with neurological differences.

The Arts Bubble

Mission: Provide opportunities for students to participate in musical productions and improve their skills through acting classes and cabarets, free of cost.
Granted: $2,500 for royalties and scripts for their summer production.

Trellis for Tomorrow

Mission: Utilizing organic, local gardening as a tool for youth workforce development and alleviating food insecurity.
Granted: $2,500 to expand garden programs.

2023 Grant Recipients

Berks Connections Pretrial Services (Mothers’ and Fathers’ Voices Program)

This program allows incarcerated parents to create videos showing them reading children’s books. Recordings then are shared with their children. In this way parents and children can maintain and enhance their connections and ease their transitions upon the inmates’ returns to their families.

Foundation for Pottstown Education

Students in each of the Pottstown School District’s six buildings – from the elementary schools through the high school -- will work together with their teachers to create grant proposals for projects that will benefit their school. Eligible projects can be anything that enhance their school environment, touch as many children as possible; and fund items typically NOT funded by the school district.

Montgomery Child Advocacy Project

MCAP’s mission is to prevent and end child abuse. The SPC grant will support the organization’s recent purchase of a therapy dog named Nutmeg, who helps witnesses – especially traumatized children – remain composed and calm during often overwhelming court experiences. The funding will help provide food and veterinary services for Nutmeg so she can do her best work.

Mother Goose Read to Me

This relatively new program is dedicated to promoting early literacy among parents and their babies among socioeconomically disadvantaged families in the Pottstown area. Mother Goose partners with other agencies to give free age-appropriate books to parents and encourage them to read to their infants and toddlers. As the Mother Goose representative noted, the families who benefit from this program simply do not have extra money to spare for books as they are worried about being able to pay rent, buy food, and meet other day-to-day needs.

Pottstown FARM

Pottstown FARM, our local seasonal farmer’s market, will use this grant to encourage good nutrition and help underserved families stretch their food budgets. Our funds will allow FARM to fill bags with fresh, sustainable foods such as tomato sauces, jams, and honey, as well as some fresh vegetables and healthy recipes. Approximately 20 of these bags will be distributed to underserved families every other Saturday from May through October when the FARM market is held in downtown Pottstown.

Pottstown Historical Society

The SPC grant will allow Historical Society volunteers to rebind directories that date back more than 100 years. In addition, the Society will purchase archival-quality materials to protect other irreplaceable documents. As more people dive into family genealogy and new investment occurs in Pottstown, the value of well-preserved local history has never been greater.

Project Purpose

Project Purpose strives to provide low-income students with quality extra-curricular activities, with an emphasis on serving the students and families of Rolling Hills. Specifically, the SPC grant will help a STEAM curriculum club called Ignite, inspiring K through eighth grade students throughout the year with hands-on, scientific inquiry enrichment projects and field trips. Fifteen children will benefit through participation in Ignite with assistance from this SPC-funded grant.

Schuylkill River Greenways

Receiving a partial grant, the SPC is helping to fund the Youth Watershed Education Program – a free program for youths ages 10-14. Participants from the Pottstown area will learn about environmental issues, conduct water quality-related testing, and enjoy guided paddling experiences on the Schuylkill River.

Steel River Playhouse

Steel River depends on donations to help it create professional-grade entertainment that contributes to our region’s cultural life. Additionally, Steel River is committed to making arts education affordable to as many students as possible, regardless of their ability to pay. The Playhouse will use this SPC grant to provide youth scholarships to Summer Camp and Summer Intensive Production programs.

2021 Grant Recipients

Family Services of Montgomery County - $2,000

Family Services is a multi-service, nonprofit organization that has been serving residents of Montgomery County since 1900. They serve more than 12,000 residents annually through a variety of programs for children, families, and seniors. This year the SPC granted $2,000 for their Project HEARTH program, which has had an increase of service requests, yet a decline in donations. Project HEARTH offers five key services including professional in-home counseling, errand/transportation service, telephone reassurance, handyman chore service, and friendly visiting for the elderly. They also have employed a clinical social worker recently to help with the mental health of the elderly due to increases in counseling requests.

Laurel House - $1,000

Dedicated to the vision to end domestic violence, the Laurel House serves families in Montgomery County providing crisis intervention, counseling service, and preventative programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Laurel House had to close their walk-in offices and thrift shops to their clients, while still providing virtual assistance and giving supplies like personal care items and clothing to clients who needed them. The SPC granted $1,000 for sanitizing stations to be placed at their office in Pottstown and thrift shop in King of Prussia when they reopen. These are the primary locations that support residents of Pottstown.

Central Cultural Latinos Unidos (CCLU) - $1,775

Central Cultural Latinos Unidos (CCLU) is a bilingual bridge-building organization that is dedicated to enriching the lives of Latino youth and others by providing cultural, educational, and recreational programs along with social services to the greater Pottstown area. The SPC granted $1,775 to help fund their Ready for Life program. Obesity rates among Latino children are high in Pottstown, and the Ready for Life program aims to teach these children about how to make healthy life choices related to nutrition. The grant money will be used to purchase exercise equipment and a Zoom account. CCLU has enough space to conduct this program safely in person, with some overflow tuning into the class virtually via Zoom.

Pottstown FARM - $2,000

The Pottstown Farm and Artisan Regional Market (FARM) is a grassroots initiative whose mission is to provide fresh, locally grown, agricultural products and hand-made artisan goods to the Pottstown area. The SPC granted $2,000 to support the Pottstown FARM's program that further aids low-income individuals who qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by providing them with additional money to spend at the market. Pottstown FARM gives SNAP recipients $5 in market coins that can be used to purchase essential/healthy foods. The grant will be used to increase this match to $10 per family, which will incentivize more visitors to the market and make healthy and organic foods more accessible to low-income families.

Steel River Playhouse - $4,246

Steel River Playhouse is a local, performing arts center whose mission is to strengthen the community, inspire creative exploration, educate, and entertain, through the presentation of quality performing arts events and education for diverse audiences. The SPC granted $4,246 to help fund scholarships for their summer programs: the Summer Intensive Production and the Summer Camp, each which runs for two weeks and ends with a culminating performance. Steel River has been hit dramatically due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has not had any income for the past 15 months. The award will impact many children in the Pottstown area as well as help revive the Steel River Playhouse.

Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities - $2,000

The Pottstown Cluster is an organization that seeks to meet basic needs and transform the Pottstown community through food security and personal care items. They also have a housing stability program that provides rental and fuel assistance. The SPC granted $2,000 to support the Cluster's Food Services/Security program, specifically to deliver staple foods to those individuals who can longer shop in person. Partnering with Smart Choice, an online and offline inventory system, the Cluster has created an organized and accessible client shopping experience.

Bon Homie Better Days Foundation - $3,000

Bon Homie Better Days Foundation is an organization whose focus is to provide opportunities for adults with special needs that result from aging, injuries, or disabilities. Its mission is to establish a sense of community within its members, giving clients the means of finding purpose, pride, and friendship through therapy, arts and crafts, and educational activities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the center closed and shifted to online activities so clients could still participate in their program. The SPC granted Bon Homie $3,000 to help provide virtual entertainment and educational programs for clients, including music therapy, musical groups, cooking, reading, games, and gardening. These activities provide a means of socializing and building relationships for clients, which helps better their overall wellbeing.

Montgomery County Child Advocacy Project (MCAP) - $2,000

Montgomery Child Advocacy Project (MCAP) is an organization that provides legal services, education, and advocacy to help end and prevent child abuse. More than 140 thoroughly trained and background-checked volunteer attorney-advocates represent children to ensure their voices are heard in the courts and social service agencies. The SPC granted $2,000 to support training, operational fees, and background checks. The mission of MCAP has remained significant, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic as there has been a drastic increase in domestic violence.

Good Samaritan Services - $1,400

Good Samaritan Services gives immediate help to individuals who are currently homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. They serve around 400 people each year by granting them access to an emergency shelter, residential housing, and other housing support services. The SPC granted Good Samaritan $1,400 to fund two power generators for two houses in Phoenixville. An increase in major storms has led to the growing problem of power loss in the shelters; the generators will enhance the quality of life for the residents in these housing communities.

Foundation for Pottstown Education - $579

The Foundation for Pottstown Education supports, promotes, sponsors and carries out educational, scientific or charitable activities and objectives within or related to the Pottstown School District. The SPC granted $579 to help the Foundation fund a middle school Makerspace, giving students a creative and collaborative outlet to create and learn, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.