$592K Raised for Hackley During the Founder's Challenge!
The Founder’s Challenge, celebrating Mrs. Hackley’s 205th birthday, was an incredible success, and it’s all thanks to you and the teachers, coaches, and staff (past and present) whose work inspired such extraordinary philanthropy!
From all of us on the Advancement Team and everyone on the Hilltop, thank you for making this year’s Founder’s Challenge a true celebration of community, student spirit, and generosity.
We raised $592,128 for Hackley across $342,128 in campaign contributions and $250,000 in Matching gifts.
$205K Goal Met - Additional $45K in Matching Gifts Available!
Breaking News: After surpassing our initial fundraising goal of $205,000 in matching gifts, the Hackley Alumni Association and an anonymous Upper School family have posted another $45,000 in match dollars, bringing our new goal to $250,000. All donations and pledges up to $250,000 through midnight tonight will be matched! Thank you to our donors for your incredible generosity!
Founder's Challenge 2025
From October 24–27, the Hackley community will come together for the Founder’s Challenge, held in honor of our founder, Mrs. Frances Hackley, whose birthday is on October 27. This special giving event celebrates her legacy and supports the Hackley Fund, which provides vital resources that strengthen every corner of our community.
EVERY GIFT WILL BE MATCHED up to $205,000 (in honor of what would have been Mrs. Hackley’s 205th birthday)! These matching funds were made possible by the philanthropic leadership of Nick and Cristina Savasta P ’33, ’38, Jan ’81 and Cynthia van Eck P ’14, ’17, ’17, ’26, an anonymous alumnus, and the anonymous parents of an alumnus. We are grateful to them for their leadership and grateful to you for considering the most generous gift you can make in honor of Mrs. Hackley!
The Hackley Fund helps:
- Fuel innovative learning experiences and academic programs
- Provide financial aid that broadens access to a Hackley education
- Support athletics, the arts, and extracurricular opportunities
- Maintain and enhance our beautiful campus
- Provide professional development and competitive compensation for faculty
- Ensure students have the resources they need to thrive
With your participation, we can honor Mrs. Hackley's vision and help Hackley students continue to learn, grow, and lead.
Donations from Donor Advised Funds, by stock, wire or check can count towards the Challenge! Visit https://www.hackleyschool.org/...for more information.
Thanks to your generous support, $592K was raised for Hackley during the Founder's Day Challenge! Watch the video below to hear a word of thanks from our founder, Mrs. Hackley!
377 days ago by Elizabeth ZammitDuring the 3rd grade's annual Founder's Day excursion, students visited the chestnut oak, then to the Lindsay Room to see the portrait of Mrs. Hackley. Mr. Gannon P ’21, Director of Development, told the story of how Mrs. Hackley founded the school, and where she lived on campus.
Each Lower School class had the opportunity to "dress up like it's 1899" and take a fun photo as a class. Students were delighted to have a surprise visit from "Mrs Hackley" at lunch. Cupcakes were served and students sang "Happy Birthday." Mrs Hackley, wearing her official Hackley ID card, loved seeing so many students wearing their Hackley spirit wear and showing kindness. Did you know that Mrs. Hackley was a generous supporter of Kindergartens in her day? Lower School students hold a special place in her heart!
During Friday’s Community time, Middle School students celebrated Founder’s Day. 7th and 8th graders played a round of Founder’s Day Kahoot! trivia, courtesy of the Alumni Connect Club. 5th graders made thaumotropes, an optical toy from the 1800s that Mrs. Hackley may have played when she was their age. 6th graders played Victorian parlour games, which early Hackley students may have played, some of which are still popular today. They even had a surprise visit from "Mrs. Hackley" during their assembly!
During Friday’s Upper School Community Time assembly, the chorus led by Mrs. Fogarty sang a beautiful rendition of the Alma Mater, and students heard about an exciting time capsule project each class will contribute an object to. Ace Perez and the Community Council showed an inspiring video interviewing members of the Hackley community on Hackley history topics. Click through to watch the Alma Mater!
382 days ago by Elizabeth ZammitDonors
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