Lenfest gives $750,000 to “Philly Goes 2 College”

The Philadelphia program to get more city students into and graduated from college just got a big donation.

 

The Lenfest Foundation gave $750,000 to the Philly Goes 2 College program which offers tutoring, help filling out financial aid forms and other assistance. Gerry Lenfest, the foundation’s namesake, says it’s critical to make sure more people attain a college degree.

“Two hundred thousand per year for three years will go to [the] Philly Goes 2 College office to expand its services as an information referral resource for Philadelphians of all ages,” said Lenfest. “One hundred fifty thousand will go to research and evaluation efforts to to help us better understand what works and helps Philadelphians succeed in college.”

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Mayor Michael Nutter calls Lenfest a superstar in the fight to educate more people in the city. “You are the DeSean Jackson of philanthropy here in the city,” said Nutter.

The mayor says the extra funds are sorely needed since only about one in five city residents has a bachelor’s degree.

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