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Mission

The Friends of Franklin Foundation is the primary fundraising organization for Benjamin Franklin High School. Its mission is to pursue, cultivate, and develop relationships with donors to advance philanthropic support for Benjamin Franklin High School, its students, and its academic programs and to manage actively the resources it receives.

Vision

The ultimate goal is to nurture existing relationships with alumni, parents, past parents and grandparents, foundations, and other current donors while also exploring new avenues for fundraising opportunities. The Friends of Franklin Foundation will cover the gap between the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) we get from state funding and what we need to give our outstanding students the maximum experience they deserve. We are about to begin actively fundraising and financing for a new STEAM building (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math). This will be followed by renovation of the current building and redesign in areas to create "learning centers" followed by expansion of the gym and athletic complex. (A conceptual master plan is available upon request.) The Friends of Franklin Foundation will help us to be more strategic, intentional, and efficient in our fundraising efforts and the management of funds, as well as more authentic in our relationship-building with donors and prospects. 

Team

Natalie Beck ’01, Graphic Designer & Grants Manager

Florence Bourg, Ph.D., Grants Writer

Jenny Kibby, Raiser's Edge Database Manager
John Parauka, Student and Alumni Services Coordinator
Eve Peyton ’98, Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Christy Cowart Read ’89, Development Director 

Board of Trustees

Sean Blondell, President

Richard Chen ’17

Charmaine Cooper Hussain, Member

Jonathan Levy ’03, Treasurer

Sandy Katz Levy ’65

Deborah Thurber ’79, Secretary 

Mitchell Turnbough

Frequently Asked Questions

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