Fast Facts

Over the past 20 years, Philadelphia Futures has produced significant and measurable results that have made our approach a model for organizations nationwide. 

• Philadelphia Futures was founded in 1989.
• The first Sponsor-A-Scholar (SAS) class was recruited in 1990.
• Nearly 900 students have completed the high school portion of the SAS Program; 98% matriculate to college.
• SAS students' overall retention rate - persistence from the first year to the second year of college - is 84%.
• 46% of SAS students graduate from four-years schools. The overall graduation rate is 53%, which includes students who earned associate degrees and certificates from institutions of higher education.  
• The potential college graduation rate for the SAS high school class of 2005 is 73%.
• 182 students currenly participate in the high school portion of the SAS Program.
• 185 SAS collegians are pursuing postsecondary education. 
•  370 SAS students have earned degrees. 
•  Philadelphia Futures has raised over $5.7 million in sponsorship funds to directly benefit its students. 
• More than 900 mentors have volunteered for the SAS Program.