Hill School Student Philanthropy Council Grant Program

The Hill School Student Philanthropy Council Grant Program is a student-led philanthropic initiative supporting nonprofit organizations whose work directly impacts the Pottstown area. The Student Philanthropy Council was established in 2008 through a gift to The Hill School from the late Charles A. Frank III, Hill '59 P'88 '90, and his wife, Betty. The Council became an endowed program at The Hill School in 2012 with the establishment of the Student Philanthropy Council Endowment in honor of Kay and David Dougherty. Twelve Hill student council members are selected through a rigorous application process to solicit and evaluate funding requests from local nonprofit organizations. The Council awards $20,000 or more in grants each year, and $30,000 is available for the current grant cycle. The program is intended for nonprofit organizations and programs that have a direct impact on the Pottstown area. The Student Philanthropy Council prefers to fund specific aspects of an organization's programs rather than general operating expenses. Applicants are discouraged from requesting more than $5,000 because the Council hopes to distribute the $30,000 available among at least six distinct organizations. The $5,000 figure is presented as a request preference rather than an absolute award ceiling. The source does not state a minimum award amount or a required matching or cost-sharing contribution. Prior Student Philanthropy Council grant recipients may apply again, but they must demonstrate how additional funding would further enhance their program by taking it to a new and broader level of success. The current opportunity is open to Pottstown-area nonprofit organizations. In addition to being nonprofit organizations, applicants must satisfy the Council's requirement that the organization or proposed program have a direct impact on the Pottstown area. The source does not identify a particular nonprofit tax classification, fiscal sponsorship policy, organizational size requirement, faith-based restriction, or minimum operating history. It also does not identify specific eligible program sectors beyond the geographic and nonprofit requirements. In 2026, 10 organizations received Student Philanthropy Council awards, and the Council distributed a combined $30,000 to 10 Pottstown-area nonprofits. Interested organizations must complete an online form and submit a Request for Proposal. Detailed instructions for accessing the online application and submitting other supporting documents are provided through the application instructions link at https://bit.ly/4xytN6B. The source indicates that supporting documents are part of the submission process but does not enumerate those documents in the material provided. Applications are accepted as they are received during the application period, but the program has a stated final deadline rather than being continuously open throughout the year. Applicants who are concerned about meeting the deadline are instructed to contact the Student Philanthropy Council in advance at spc@thehill.org. The review process may take several months. As part of its evaluation, the Student Philanthropy Council will conduct site visits and/or a Zoom meeting with representatives of applicant organizations. The Council's stated funding preferences indicate that applicants should clearly demonstrate direct impact on the Pottstown area and should, where applicable, identify a specific program component for support rather than seeking unrestricted general operating funding. Previous recipients seeking another grant must additionally explain how the proposed new funding will expand or enhance the previously supported program and take it to a new, broader level of success. The Hill School announced on August 27, 2026 that the Student Philanthropy Council was accepting applications. Completed applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Monday, November 16, 2026. No time zone is provided in the source. Grant recipients will be announced in April following the review process. All applicants will also be acknowledged for their community work during an all-school assembly of Hill students and faculty on Friday, May 7 at 1:45 p.m. The source does not provide a grant performance period. Questions or concerns regarding the submission deadline may be directed to the Student Philanthropy Council at spc@thehill.org.

Demonstrate direct impact on the Pottstown area; request support for a specific aspect of a program rather than general operating expenses; applicants are discouraged from requesting more than $5,000; prior recipients should demonstrate how new funding will enhance the program and take it to a new, broader level of success