Student Support Foundation
Training the Next Generation of Philanthropists
“SFF has taught me the value of education and the role it plays in breaking the cycle of poverty and inequality. This emphasis on education as a tool for empowerment highlights the transformative potential of philanthropy in promoting social mobility and fostering a more equitable society.”
The Student Support Foundation (SSF) was created more than 20 years ago as a way to inspire and empower the next generation of great American philanthropists.
Every year, we grant $4,000 to each participating high school and college SSF club for the students to invest in their school community. With the guidance of a club sponsor, students learn about the needs of their peers and school families, and they collaborate to decide which needs they can afford to support. They learn to raise funds to supplement the grant. They set their club’s budget, find their giving passion, and report back to MFF on their grants and impact.
After more than a million dollars distributed, SSF is even more important today than when we began. Many more students at the high school and college level are experiencing financial stress and the mental health pressures that go along with that uncertainty. More students are working and are responsible for paying for more of their expenses. Some are going hungry or need books and study support.
We support approximately 20 high school and college clubs in seven states each school year. Their projects range from creating brain break baskets for classrooms to funding field trip fees for students who couldn’t afford the cost. One school created a Career Closet to provide students with professional clothing for interviews and jobs, while another manages their campus’s free Community Cupboard.
After clubs reach ten years, they are automatically eligible for a Dream Big Grant of up to $25,000 for a special project.
If you’re interested in starting an SSF chapter at your school, email ssf@thinkmff.org to learn more.
SSF Annual Report 2024
Since SSF launched in 2003, the world is a very different place. But what hasn’t changed is the dedication that SSF students have to helping their communities.
The 2023-2024 school year was no exception—students across the country learned, grew and drove transformational change. Read about their lessons and successes in the latest annual report.
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