Last fall, 30 parent volunteers on The Sidwell Friends Fund Leadership Committee, along with members of the Parents Association, helped launch the first Sidwell Friends Fund Parent Day of Giving. The parent community’s generous response was nothing short of incredible with gifts supporting financial aid, faculty professional development, and engaging student experiences.

“We so appreciate Sidwell’s teachers, administrators, and support staff for the values they model and the engaging learning environment they create for our children,” says Paul Hodgdon ’93, P ’29, ’32. “Participating in Parent Day of Giving allows us to express our thanks and our commitment to supporting those who make Sidwell Friends not just a school, but a community.”

The number of current parent donors quadrupled to almost 55 percent participation by the end of Parent Day of Giving, and gifts and pledges from current parents—ranging from $10 to $100,000—topped $1 million.

Building on past parent volunteer efforts such as school auctions, Founder’s Day for Scholars, and the “Together We Shine” campaign, Parent Day of Giving allowed parents to give in a way that was tailored to them, and for a specific purpose.

“It was a parent-led initiative, and the volunteers had the opportunity to help shape it,” says Marnel Goins P ’31, ’33, ’36, one of the effort’s three co-chairs along with Camille Fesche P ’36 and Stacey Seldin P ’28. “Prior to the day, there were so many times when I was at the Lower or Middle School and a parent told me they were planning to participate as a result of seeing the video or getting an email. I was so happy with the level of enthusiasm — it was palpable.”

Marnel says that while the 80 percent parent participation goal was ambitious for a single day, she anticipates reaching it by the end of the school year. “I'd love to see more parents help us meet the goal — not just this year, but in future years,” she says. Knowing that parent input contributed to the successful launch, she also hopes that parents will share their feedback so the effort can get better and better.

“I hope families understand that every contribution—regardless of size—has a meaningful impact,” says Paul Hodgdon. “But participating in Parent Day of Giving is also about more than fundraising and numbers. When parents come together in support of the School, it sends a powerful message about our collective belief in Sidwell’s mission. We strengthen the School’s ability to provide an enriching experience for all students and that inspires others’ generosity.”

Donations to The Sidwell Friends Fund make an immediate and meaningful difference in the lives of students and faculty. Each year, the Fund supports the School’s highest priorities, including student financial aid, faculty professional development, and engaging student experiences. Gifts to the Fund enable Sidwell Friends to extend and enrich learning beyond what tuition alone can provide. Consider joining fellow dedicated parents, alumni, and grandparent volunteers of The Sidwell Friends Fund Leadership Committee and help to advance the mission of our School.  To learn more, please contact Dana Saab, director of annual giving, at saabd@sidwell.edu.