Our Mission:
PCF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports Philadelphia public schools by installing internet-ready computers in classrooms and publicly accessible locations. We also help outfit school libraries with books, provide computers to low-income families that do not have them, and teach 3D printing and computer literacy classes.
Our mission is to help children of all ages find their passion, develop needed skills, and make positive career and life decisions for a successful future.
- Improving reading skills. 40% of Philadelphia students scored below proficient in reading & 22% of the city’s population is illiterate and 41% of Phila households do not have a computer.
- Decrease drop-out rates. 42% of students entering 9th grade in 2006 failed to graduate in 2010.
- And address youth unemployment. The unemployment rate is 22% for Philadelphia residents ages 20-24, and 76% of Philadelphia households are economically disadvantaged.
How P.C.F. Got Started/History
Founder John Bannan shown on the left along with other current and past Board members.
John Bannan formed the Philadelphia Children’s Foundation (PCF) in July of 2006. It was John’s involvement with sports and the mentoring relationships he had with his coaches that helped him become a successful Olympic Rowing Coach, business person, and leader of PCF.
John was motivated by three things: his passion to provide young people with the support they need to excel in life; the understanding that resources in the city are abundant, but do not connect fully with the community they aim to serve; and the educational inequality that many students in Philadelphia face.
In 2013, 4,500 students in grades K-12 in 20 area schools were touched by PCF’s programs. PCF started libraries in 12 elementary schools with over 16,500 donated books and provided more than 1,500 refurbished computers to low-income families.
PCF & Sponsors News:
HeathShare Exchange Volunteer Day & Sponsorship
Board member Hal Augustine organized and facilitated a volunteer day with HealthShare Exchange of Southeastern PA. A team of HSX employees showed up and spent almost a full day doing the spectrum of volunteering: computer rehab, cable [...]
200 Used iPads Donated by Endo Pharmaceuticals
PCF was incredibly fortunate to receive about 200 used iPads from Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc (Malvern, PA) earlier in 2015. iPads are treasured in schools because of their versatility and other factors. After PCF purchased power chargers [...]
Comcast Cares Day
Comcast Cares Day 2015 was the first volunteer event at the warehouse on Ridge Avenue (after we moved there from Chestnut Hill offices). Comcast has provided great support to PCF over the years and this day [...]
PCF in The Notebook: Out with the old? Not so fast
PCF was featured in an article in The Notebook, Philadelphia public schools' independent voice for parents, educators, students, and friends of Philadelphia Public Schools. In the article, PCF Director and Principal Thomas from Emlen were interviewed [...]
Turn & Burn Regatta
The Annual Turn & Burn Regatta is held each fall, usually the first or second Sunday in November on the Schuylkill River/Kelly Drive in Philadelphia, PA. Join us and help make sure every Philadelphia child has access to a [...]
PCF Partner Spotlight: Health Partners Plans
Health Partners Plans is a long-standing, not-for-profit health insurance organization serving more than 180,000 area members through its Medicaid and Medicare coverage and also many children through its KidzPartners/CHIP program. In fact, about half of [...]