Friends Advancement Monthly Updates

From the Desk of the Director of Institutional Advancement

October 2025 Edition

Celebrating the Past, Inspiring the Present, Building the Future

Each September, Friends Seminary comes alive with renewed energy. Students fill the halls, faculty open their classrooms, and parents and alumni re-engage with the life of the school. This moment of beginning is also a moment of gratitude. The work of preparing for a new school year, as well the joy of experiencing it, is made possible by the collective care of our community.

Our faculty and staff have spent the summer preparing spaces where students can grow as scholars and compassionate leaders. Parents and caregivers have guided children through the transition back to school. Alumni and friends have continued to show generosity that sustains our mission far beyond their own years on campus. Together, this partnership ensures that Friends remains a place where students are not only educated, but shaped by Quaker values that will serve them for a lifetime.

Friends has a long tradition of stewardship. 240-year history is a story of stewardship. Each generation has been willing to give of themselves, their time, talent, and treasure, to strengthen the school for the future. Today, we are the stewards of that story. When a parent volunteers at an event, when an alum serves on the Alumni Council, when a family gives to the Fund for Friends or any other area of the school, they are not just meeting a need, they are supporting the next chapter of Friends’ legacy that we all become connected to.

Looking Ahead This Fall

This year promises to be a meaningful one for our community and our philanthropy. With success in mind, the Advancement team will be focusing on the following areas. If you are interested in helping, please contact us.

• October: We launch the Fund for Friends campaign, inviting every member of our community to participate in the work of sustaining the school through a financial gift.

• November: We will celebrate a Season of Gratitude, honoring the donors and volunteers who make Friends extraordinary, including a recognition on National Philanthropy Day. We will highlight the power of philanthropy in our community.

• December: As the calendar year closes, we will reflect on impact, celebrate progress toward our goals, and invite final gifts for 2025 — including reminders for those age 70½+ about the tax benefits of IRA charitable distributions.

Philanthropy has been at work, even in these first weeks of school:

• Financial aid has welcomed new students and broadened access.

• Faculty have returned from summer professional development, eager to bring new ideas to the classroom.

• Our historic campus has been cared for and prepared as a place of learning and reflection.

• Faculty prepare for special trips around New York City and the world.

These are not just line items, they represent the fullness of the Friends educational experience. This is your invitation to join in.

By volunteering, sharing your story, or making a gift, you help ensure that Friends continues to flourish, honoring the past, meeting the needs of the present, and preparing for the future grounded in Quaker values.

Marjorie P. Jean-Paul

Director of Institutional Advancement