Building Bright Futures Together: The Power of Giving at UFS

When you step onto the United Friends School (UFS) campus, you can feel the warmth of the community, the excitement of curiosity, and the joy of friends learning together. Since our founding in 1984, UFS has been guided by Quaker principles, including care, truthfulness, simplicity, community, and peaceful conflict resolution. These values are not just words on a page; they are the essence of our school.

At UFS, learning is engaging, hands-on, and meaningful. Friends collaborate on projects, explore the outdoors, and discover their strengths while recognizing the Light within themselves and others. Project-based learning is at the heart of our approach, enabling students to engage in real-world projects that cultivate critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. Through STEAM and STEM activities, arts programs, outdoor explorations, and community projects, friends experience a learning process that is not only engaging and challenging but also deeply personal.

Generosity Makes a Difference

Generosity profoundly shapes the UFS experience. With the support of our community, UFS can provide scholarships, restore outdoor spaces, offer continuing education for teachers, and implement innovative programs. Every contribution is essential to making these initiatives possible. Together with friends, families, alumni, and the wider community, UFS can achieve its goals. Every gift helps our students thrive, explore, and discover their potential. 

Generosity comes in many forms. Families contribute their time, materials, and skills. Just this summer, a group of families collaborated to create a new mud kitchen for our outdoor space, where our youngest friends can dig, pour, and imagine while developing social and problem-solving skills. 

Alumni also give back through monetary donations, gifts-in-kind, and volunteering their time. Others provide monthly support, larger one-time donations, and contributions through programs like the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC). 

Every bit helps, and every gift, in whatever form, directly enables our students to engage in meaningful learning and grow as individuals. There are many ways to give, and every contribution enriches the UFS experience and enhances the lives of our students.

Choosing Your Impact

To help determine how a gift can have the greatest effect, here are areas where support can be transformative

Scholarships Opening Doors for Every Friend

Scholarships provide financial aid to families who value a UFS education but may not be able to afford it. Each scholarship ensures that a child can fully participate in classroom activities, project-based learning, and co-curricular classes, such as Spanish, Art, Physical Education, Outdoor Education, and Music. Scholarships provide students with access to the complete UFS experience, academically, socially, and creatively, so every child can get a United Friends School education. This enables students to explore their passions, build confidence, and grow within a community that celebrates curiosity, compassion, and a lifelong learning approach. Scholarships can also be supported through programs like EITC, helping more students receive a UFS education and pursue life-changing opportunities.

Outdoor Restoration and Learning in Nature

Transforming outdoor spaces into areas for inspiration, wonder, and community gathering enhances students' learning by promoting exploration, experimentation, and a connection with the natural world. Contributions to UFS help beautify our outdoor classrooms, gardens, and playgrounds. Students benefit from revitalized gardens, improved pathways, and outdoor classrooms that foster hands-on learning, outdoor play, and environmental stewardship. Thanks to a generous recent donation, UFS was able to hire a professional landscape designer and a part-time groundskeeper, and the work has already begun.

Innovation and Imagination Through STEM and STEAM Programs

UFS is dedicated to enhancing students’ exploration of technology, engineering, and creative problem-solving through our STEM and STEAM programs. By building on our existing offerings, we provide students with opportunities to engage in hands-on projects that incorporate coding, robotics, and teamwork, promoting curiosity and innovation. Contributions will help us acquire the necessary materials and equipment, ensuring that students have the resources to experiment, build, and innovate. Last year, a generous alumna donated three 3-D printers, enabling all students to bring their designs to life, blending creativity with engineering.

Project-Based Learning at UFS

Project-based learning is at the heart of the UFS experience, giving students the chance to tackle real-world challenges, collaborate with peers, and think creatively. Donations to help us create amazing project-based learning opportunities fund materials, field trips, guest speakers, and workshops that make hands-on experiences possible.

This year, students are immersed in Harvest: Farm to Table, an all-school project exploring where food comes from, how it is grown and shared, and the cultural and community traditions it inspires. From science and social studies to art and literacy, friends investigate questions about sustainability, nutrition, and equity, all while engaging directly in our UFS garden. The project culminates in Curriculum Night and a Friendsgiving Lunch, celebrating students’ discoveries and their connection to the community.

Last year, students explored the Human Body Experience, creating 3D models and hands-on projects that brought anatomy to life.

Supporting UFS project-based learning allows students to dive deeply into real-world learning, develop critical skills, and carry forward Quaker values of curiosity, compassion, and stewardship. Every contribution helps bring these experiences to life, inspiring students to explore, discover, and thrive.

Teacher Professional Development

Ongoing professional development ensures UFS teachers bring the most innovative and effective approaches into the classroom. Workshops, training, and conferences empower staff to enhance project-based learning, specific grade-level curriculum, outdoor learning, and restorative practices, directly benefiting students every day.

This year, our teachers have participated in the Cheryl Irving Cultural Competency Institute, earned CPR and First Aid certification, and are becoming certified Mental Health First Aid responders. They’ve also received training in Restorative Practices, Wilson’s Fundations, Bridges in Mathematics, and Math in Focus, among many other professional learning opportunities, ensuring they have the tools to support students academically, socially, and emotionally.

Investing in teacher development enhances classroom experiences, providing students with access to high-quality instruction and guidance while fostering a safe, inclusive, and inspiring learning environment.

Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and The Friends Collaborative

Supporting UFS is easy and impactful through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. Pennsylvania individuals and businesses can redirect a portion of their state tax liability to fund need-based scholarships for UFS students, providing critical support without increasing out-of-pocket expenses.

Our partnership with The Friends Collaborative streamlines the process, ensuring scholarship funds are distributed fairly across member schools while upholding Quaker values of fairness, community, and inclusivity. EITC has already provided significant financial aid, helping more students thrive at UFS.

Participation is open to individuals and businesses with a PA tax liability of $3,500 or more, including nonprofit employees. Donors benefit from a two-year pledge, a minimum annual contribution of $3,000, a 90% PA tax credit, and possible federal deductions.

By giving through EITC, you help more students access a UFS education and create lasting impact in their lives and communities. For more information or to schedule a personal session, contact Advancement Office at awall@unitedfriendsschool.org.

Other Ways to Give

There are many ways for families, individuals, and businesses to support UFS. You can give online, make pledges to the Annual Fund, contribute stocks or securities, donate goods or services, make legacy or planned gifts, participate in matching gift programs, sponsor events through family or foundation support, or volunteer your time and talents.

Local businesses can connect with the UFS community, support children and families, and demonstrate their commitment to education, environmental stewardship, and compassionate leadership through sponsorships. Every form of giving strengthens the learning environment and ensures that every friend at UFS has access to rich, meaningful experiences.

Together, We Thrive

Every contribution, whether time, resources, or financial support, helps UFS remain a place where curiosity, community, and compassion are nurtured each day. Each gift has a ripple effect, shaping how students learn, grow, and carry UFS values into the world.

Go here to give directly online or contact  Amy Wall, Advancement Director, at awall@unitedfriendsschool.org to learn more about giving, EITC, or sponsorship opportunities. All gifts are tax-deductible and strengthen our community.

Thank you for walking alongside us as we continue building a future filled with Light, learning, and love.