At Friends Charities, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed. Our mission is to guide and support students on their educational journey, providing funding and resources when needed.
At Friends Charities, we offer tailored programs designed to guide students towards their career aspirations. Our initiatives provide essential support, ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive.
In addition to financial support, our scholarship seeks to provide recipients with periodic mentorship opportunities throughout their college education. Our goal is to prepare students for their early career steps by providing them with interview preparation skills, daily expectations, and behavioral strategies for succeeding in the workplace. We also wish to provide some basic academic expectations for newly-enrolled students.
We encourage students to seek mentorship in the way that works best for them, such as video calls or face-to-face meetings. These sessions can be once a year, starting as early as the first semester, and continuing until graduation. The Friends believe mentorship is a key piece in a student’s success. Building networks and working relationships are important elements of launching a successful career.
Friends Charities seeks to provide scholarships of at least $500 to qualifying high school students pursuing STEM related degrees in higher education. These funds will be provided directly to the school at which the student has been accepted and plans to attend. In order to qualify for a scholarship from Friends Charities, applying students must meet the following requirements:
Graduating high school senior planning to attend a four-year college/universityHolding a minimum 3.5 GPAEnrolled in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) related majorSubmission of a 500 word essay on the following:Plans for your chosen majorWhy you believe you should be selected to receive this scholarshipHow you are involved in your communityHow you will pass on the knowledge and experience you gain to benefit othersVolunteer of a minimum 15 hours of community serviceInterview with members of Friends Charities
We pride ourselves on high quality services fueled by efficiency, dedication, and passion. It is our goal to instill this same approach toward the students who will benefit from your generosity. We have all seen various degrees of success in our career trajectories since graduation. This success, achieved with the help of friends, family, and colleagues, drives us to give back to our communities in kind.
To us, giving back means more than simply writing a check. All five of us are experienced career professionals in the Pittsburgh area. Using this experience, we can offer real guidance and qualified perspective, helping students navigate their way through college and into a successful STEM career. Below is a list of the fields and industries in which we presently work:
Financial ServicesTechnology ProviderManufacturing/Gas DetectionSoftware Services
In addition to our current career paths, the members of Friends Charities have education and/or work experience in various STEM fields and areas of interest. These include:
Sciences: Formal Science, Social Science, Information Sciences, Computer SciencesTechnology: Internet of Things, Networking, Artificial Intelligence, Deep learning, DevelopmentEngineering: Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Security EngineeringMathematics: Cryptography, Neural Networks, Discrete Mathematics
Each of us is dedicated to making the most of this opportunity. We believe that the best way to make an impact is through passionate, yet efficient use of our resources. This is why we are committed to ensuring that all funds raised go toward scholarship recipients and keeping our charity running. Every donation that Friends Charities receives is used to benefit students and broaden our impact.
As we are all full-time employees, none of us draws salary or compensation from Friends Charities. Each donation is split 80% towards the scholarship fund and 20% towards operating costs. These costs can include registering fundraising event spaces, purchasing mailing supplies, and maintaining online subscriptions. The 80/20 split also puts us in compliance with Charity Watchdog’s ‘A’ grade rating.
Our holistic support system addresses academic, financial, and emotional needs. We empower students to thrive by providing resources tailored to their unique challenges.
Guidance and resources for academic success.
Scholarships and funding to alleviate financial burdens.
