Joy filled the air as alumni returned to Sidwell Friends for a Reunion Weekend of hugs, laughter, reconnection, and spirited reminiscing. In honor of their reunions, the members of each class joined together to give a class gift to support financial aid, faculty professional development, and engaging student experiences. Each class aims for 50-percent participation.

The 2026 Founder’s Day for Scholars was the most successful yet thanks to more than 800 donors who gave $930,000 for financial aid. By pairing an Alumni Giving Day challenge with Founder’s Day for Scholars, the number of alumni donors increased by 57 percent. Nearly 350 alumni made gifts to the challenge.

For half a century, the Newmyer Awards have recognized extraordinary service within the Sidwell Friends community. Every spring, the community gathers to honor the year’s awardees. This year, guests also came together to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the awards.

Starting this summer, an anonymous alum is turbocharging the transformational power of estate gifts. Hoping to inspire other members of the School’s community to make a planned gift, the alum has committed $200,000 in matching funds that will amplify the value of new or increased planned gifts. 

In October 2025, Sidwell Friends School launched the culminating phase of its Together We Shine campaign with a new overall goal of $220 million. This final phase of the campaign will conclude in June 2027.