Application

Apply for The Drexel Fund Founders Program

Founders Program - Round One

Step 1 of 2

Name
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Name*
Email Address*
Phone Number*
Mailing Address*
Street Address City State ZIP Code
Current Title*
Current Organization Name*
How did you hear about this opportunity?*
Please be as specific as possible.
Name of your Proposed School*
Location of your Proposed School (in Drexel State):*
Grade level configurations intended for your Proposed School*
- Elementary (K-5)
- Elementary + Middle (K-8)
- Middle (fifth grade through eighth grade)
- Junior/Senior High School (sixth grade through twelfth grade)
- High School (ninth grade through twelfth grade)
- High School with Early College
Please describe the existing school(s) which you have researched, visited or worked with that best mirror the school design that you intend for your school.*

Through the following short answer questions, we are interested in understanding you as an entrepreneur and leader, gaining an understanding of the school design you are proposing, and learning more about the concrete work you’ve already done toward launching your school. We anticipate serious applicants will have a clear model and will have already begun taking steps toward school development.

Pease enter your responses in the text boxes below.
1. Motivation: Why do you want to start a school? What motivates you to serve students, especially low-income students? Why is this a good time for you, personally and professionally, to open a school?*
2. Private School Purpose Statement: We support schools that are private because they are faith-based schools or because they have an innovative approach that requires the autonomy of a private school. Why do you want to start a private school and not a school with a different kind of governance or funding structure?*
3. Personal Leadership Statement and Management Approach: What leadership experiences have you had? What are your most important leadership qualities and how have they impacted others? Describe yourself as a manager.*
4. Entrepreneurship Experience and Philosophy: Please describe the organizations and projects that you have started and/or helped to start. How do your experiences and beliefs about starting organizations inform your preparation to start a school?*
5. School Model: Provide a succinct description of your school model. What are the mission and vision statements for your school? How will you measure student and school progress? What data will you track—academic, emotional/social, student character and, if applicable, spiritual outcomes?*
6. Community Focus Statement: Describe the community you wish to serve, your personal connection to that community, and the evidence of demand for your school model in that community.*
7. Board of Directors: A strong, autonomous, well-connected board provides critical governance and support during the launch of a new school. Have you begun to develop a board for your school? If so, briefly describe the skillsets you have secured. If not, how will you go about recruiting board members?*
8. Fundraising: What is your fundraising experience? What skills lead you to believe that you will be successful in this area? How will you go about raising money for school launch?*
9. Current Status: What steps have you already taken toward the development of your school (filing for nonprofit status, cultivating other members of a founding team or an advisory group, identifying a facility, etc.)?*
10. Puzzles: Which areas (academic vision, financial plan, community and parent engagement, fundraising, facilities, board, etc.) of your current school design need the most planning and development? How will you go about resolving these puzzles?*
Please upload your resume.

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Example: Last Name, First Name - Resume for Drexel Fund
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Please note that you will not be allowed to edit your Application once you have selected Submit.

Application

Apply for The Drexel Fund Founders Program

Founders Program - Round One

Step 1 of 2

Pease enter your responses in the text boxes below.

Please upload your resume.

Copyright © 2025 The Drexel Fund, All rights reserved.

The Drexel Fund and its charitable and philanthropic services are not affiliated with those of Drexel University.

Application

Apply for The Drexel Fund Founders Program

Founders Program - Round One

Step 1 of 2

Pease enter your responses in the text boxes below.

Please upload your resume.

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Copyright © 2025 The Drexel Fund, All rights reserved.

The Drexel Fund and its charitable and philanthropic services are not affiliated with those of Drexel University.