Our History

A group of public-spirited citizens saw a need in their community for a permanent organization that would provide funds to help Wakefield young people meet the soaring costs of higher education. In 1959, the late Catherine E. Simpson called to the attention of the late attorney William J. Lee a newspaper article describing "The Fall River Plan," a scholarship program originated by Dr. Irving A. Fradkin, a Fall River optometrist. Mr. Lee, in turn, showed the article to Town Accountant John J. McCarthy, then president of the Wakefield Chamber of Commerce. Together Mr. Lee and Mr. McCarthy journeyed to Fall River to learn first hand about Dr. Fradkin's plan.

Their visit resulted in the first plans for the sponsorship of a scholarship fund in Wakefield. Town officials and civic leaders helped develop the plans. Superintendent of Schools John B. Hendershot spent a day in Fall River with Dr. Fradkin learning from him the details of how his plan operated. Initial funding came from the presentation of an original musical comedy presented by the Chamber of Commerce in January, 1960. The show raised $3,700 for the fledgling scholarship fund.

Formal announcement of the establishment of the Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield, Inc. was made in August, 1960 with four officers and fourteen members of the board of directors. In January, 1961, Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield made its first scholarship awards - $1,550 was given to eight Wakefield students. 

From its inception, CSF of Wakefield has encouraged the establishment of individual endowment funds providing income annually for scholarships. Today CSF of Wakefield has over 500 such funds and a total endowment of these permanently restricted funds valued at over $10 million dollars. In addition, unrestricted donations to the General Fund are also awarded in their entirety as scholarships. In 2007, we were able to appropriate $550,000 for scholarships.

Over the years, the criteria for awarding scholarships has evolved. Initially, financial need as well as scholastic ability, extracurricular activities, community participation and similar considerations were part of the determination of recipients. Those first criteria were changed to financial need and placement in the upper half of one's graduating class. Eventually, the scholastic requirement was removed altogether, with acceptance at and continued attendance at a post-secondary institution considered sufficient merit.

CSF of Wakefield has three endowment funds that provide income for scholarships awarded strictly on the basis of academic achievement. The Boston College Academic Achievement Award established in 1983 by an anonymous donor for Wakefield High School students attending Boston College. The Bill Spaulding Merit Award Fund for graduating high school seniors established in 1987 from capital gains earned on investments.  The Dan Blanchard Award is made to a graduating senior at Wakefield High School who has excelled in Social Studies (History) and has shown an interest in athletics.  The Rhudine Johnson Award is given to two graduating Wakefield High School students (one male and one female) who are deemed "unsung heroes" of their graduating class as chosen by their classmates.

For many years, most of our awards were made only to high school seniors. As our endowment grew, we were able to assist returning college students, and today we provide need-based scholarship support to any resident of Wakefield who is a full-time student and who has financial need. This includes high school seniors, returning undergraduates, postgraduate students, and continuing education adults who have been out of high school for a number of years.

As our endowment expanded, our contributor list expanded, and our award recipients increased, CSF of Wakefield outgrew its officers' living and dining rooms. In 1985, we moved into an office in the historic Americal Civic Center in downtown Wakefield with a phone, donated office furniture, a donated computer, and staffed by CSF volunteers. In 1988, we hired a part-time employee. Today the office is managed by a full time employee.

Our Purpose

The purpose of the Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield, Inc. is stated most succinctly in our Bylaws. "The general purpose of the Foundation shall be to provide financial assistance to residents of Wakefield in their pursuit of higher education without regard to the race, color, creed, sex, or age of said residents." Since our inception in 1960, we have set out to accomplish our purpose by expanding the number of scholarship recipients and by increasing the size of the scholarships.

Since 1960, CSF of Wakefield has helped 6801 Wakefield students obtain a higher education.  In 2007, CSF distributed $538,900 to 265 Wakefield students based on financial need.  The average award was $2,035.  This disbursement raises the total paid out by CSF since its founding in 1960 to over $6.9 million.  All but four of the permanent endowment funds provide for awards based on need.  The Boston College Academic Achievement Award and the Bill Spaulding Merit Awards are based on scholastic achievement, community and school service, and other records of excellence. The Rhudine Johnson Unsung Hero Award is given to two graduating Wakefield High School students (one male and one female) who are deemed "unsung heroes" of their graduating class as chosen by their classmates. The Dan Blanchard Award is made to a graduating senior at Wakefield High School who has excelled in Social Studies (History) and has shown an interest in athletics. We awarded an additional $11,100 through these four scholarship programs. We encourage all Wakefield residents, regardless of age, who will be full time college students to apply for a scholarship.

Who Are We?

In November of each year, we elect our Officers and Directors. We have a maximum of 60 volunteers serving on our Board of Directors. We currently employ one full-time staff person. In addition, we have a very active group of student volunteers who serve as Student Directors. These students represent each of the four graduating classes.

We operate with a number of committees which are dedicated to raising money or public awareness or are dedicated to the purpose, operation, and long-range planning of CSF of Wakefield.  We are a 501(c) (3) organization under the terms stipulated by the Internal Revenue Service.

Our volunteers can choose among fundraising committees (Phonathon, Business Appeal, Annual Dance, Trivia Team Challenge, Golf Tournament), public awareness committees (Class Reunion, Student Activities, Public Relations), or operating committees (Office, Nominating, Scholarship Needs, Investment, Organizational Development). The Executive Committee is the body of officers and standing committee chairmen that makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding policies and procedures.

An Executive Assistant runs our office, located in two rooms on the first floor of the historic Americal Civic Center. She works with the volunteers, donors, applicants, parents, colleges, attorneys, financial advisors, and any interested person who calls or drops by the office.

Our Endowment

The Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield continued its impressive growth through the years. Some of our receipts resulted from fundraisers; most were unsolicited. The large majority of these donations were designated for our endowment. We receive capital gains on our investments that also increase our endowment. We do not use them for scholarships; they remain invested, providing income for our operating expenses.

Growth of Permanent Funds. Permanent funds became a big part of our current success during the 1980's and have continued steadily. We require a $5,000 balance for a fund to be considered "permanent". Some funds start with less and grow over a few years until they reach the $5,000 minimum balance; these are called accumulating funds and are part of our endowment. Other funds begin with the minimum balance or more. Once a fund reaches $5,000, awards are made each year from the income the fund earns. The principal remains invested "permanently" to earn income for awards "permanently". Today, we have over 500 funds of which 460 are permanent.

Growth of the Endowment. Our endowment reflects donations from the community, the income of which is used for scholarships. These donations have come in gifts of cash, securities, property, and the like. We also receive bequests, some of them previously unbeknownst to us. Both realized and unrealized capital gains are invested to provide for our operating expenses.

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