Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about what it means to make a gift to Girard College.

Why does giving matter?

Every gift made to The Fund for Girard College impacts the lives of our students. Your donation allows our students to fulfill their potential and forge their pathway to success.

When you invest in Girard, you create opportunities for students to reach their fullest potential. You have the opportunity to leave a legacy by investing in teaching and learning, securing our place as a leading independent school, and preparing students to become social impact and community leaders.

What is The Fund for Girard College?

The Fund for Girard College is the fundraising arm of Girard College. It is an independent 501(c)(3) organization that directly supports the areas of most need for current students. Gifts are stewarded by the Office of Advancement and the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

What is the Steel & Garnet Fund?

The Steel & Garnet Fund is The Fund for Girard College’s annual giving program and provides flexible, immediate funds for the College. Annual giving is crucial to enriching the lives of students through arts, athletics, classroom resources, technology, professional development for faculty, uniforms, and more. Each gift to the Steel & Garnet Fund helps to maintain the financial stability of the institution, generating critical resources for our students.

How does Stephen Girard's endowment support Girard College?

Girard College was built through the unprecedented philanthropy of Stephen Girard, and his Estate continues to provide the bulk of the support needed to meet the academic and residential needs of today’s students. However, the goal of The Fund for Girard College and our annual giving program is to gradually lessen the reliance on the endowment so that it can grow through re-investment.

Where the endowment is restricted for specific uses, the Steel & Garnet Fund provides flexible, immediate funds for the college that can be directed to the College’s top priorities.