Student Assistance Fund (SAF)
The Student Assistance Fund (SAF) program has been designed to create a financial safety net for students within participating high schools. Today, students are often faced with financial obstacles to their educational ambitions, whether that means taking AP courses or art classes, participating in sports or music programs, applying to college, or just having the bus fare to get to school. The SAF provides the resources to overcome these hurdles. Its motto is, "What parents would do if they could."
A Student Assistnace Fund is a stand-alone resource, meaning that it is not integrated into a school's operating budget, and cannot be used for other purposes. All funds go to meet the needs of students; any overhead expenses are reimbursed annually by The Lillis Foundation.
The pilot Student Assistance Fund Program was placed at Douglas County High School in 1999. In 2002, The Lillis Foundation decided to take over the administration and funding of the program and it was expanded to a number of schools (high schools and a few middle schools) throughout the Denver metro area. We have been in 22 High Schools and 2 Middle Schools since inception and will expand as funds permit.
All funds given go directly to the benefit of students. If you are interested in helping students in this way, please contact our Student Assistance Fund (SAF) administrator for more information and donor opportunities.
Testimonials
When we make plans for students, our Student Assistance Fund allows us to plan what we think is best, not just what we think is affordable for all. I cannot tell you how strongly I feel that this way of thinking makes us better educators, because it allows us to dream a little bit, to set higher goals, and to be more creative with the programs that we offer to students.
Sheridan High School uses the funds from the Lillis Foundation to pay for RTD passes so that students can get to and from the high school and Arapahoe Community College. The funds have allowed students to participate in athletics and courses where there is a fee. My staff and I feel blessed that money does not stand in the way of our students’ ability to participate in college level classes and extra-curricular activities. We do not have to worry about students being exposed to the cold because we have the funds to buy coats, gloves and hats. We are grateful that this opportunity has been bestowed upon us.
Often students who are eligible for Ivy League opportunities cannot compete, because they cannot cover the fees required for applications and materials. Thankfully, because of our relationship with the Lillis Foundation, we are able to provide assistance and help these students have a chance to attend colleges they never thought were possible.
I can’t even begin to tell you what a difference you and the organization has made in our lives here at Denver South. There have been a countless number of opportunities that we have been able to provide to our students thanks to your generosity. Just yesterday we wrote a check for a student to be able to take a written exam for her to become a Certified Nursing Assistant that she would not have been able to accomplish without the funding. We wish every day, you could see the relief in the eyes of parents and kids who bank on your assistance. Thank you from the students and staff at Denver South High School.
I’d like to thank the Lillis Foundation for donating to me. This foundation gave me the ability to participate in a career I want to pursue and better my future. So once again Thank You Lillis Foundation for giving me this opportunity.
Lillis Foundation provided scrubs for me to go to dental assistance school. I plan to become a dental assistant to help me pay for college and eventually become an orthodontist. Thank you for your support!
The Lillis Foundation is truly our “unseen backup” when it comes to assisting our students in all facets of their lives and ultimately to ensure their academic success. We are so fortunate to be continually supported by a foundation that perceives the value in our future as much as we do!
Since partnering with Littleton High School (LHS) in the fall of 2002 the Lillis Foundation has been a cornerstone in the success of our most underprivileged and financially impacted students. It is incredible to think of the difference, the positive impact, and just how many students The Lillis Foundation has helped over the years. LHS is incredibly lucky and thankful to be partnered with such a fabulous organization that provides educational opportunities for our students that otherwise wouldn't exist.
The Lillis Foundation has made so many things possible for our students at Haxtun Schools. We have been able to help families provide appropriate dress clothing for state and national vocational competitions, shoes and other athletic wear, as well as provide meals for students traveling with teams. The money has helped us provide glasses for students whose families cannot afford them, and sport physicals for athletes.
The Lillis Foundation inspired our staff to create a "Blue Jean Fund" where staff members pay $1 a day to wear jeans to school on designated days. That money is then used for similar purchases for our younger students and their families.
We feel very blessed to have the Lillis Foundation available!
Thank you so much!
The Lillis Foundation has provided the most comprehensive help for our students. From college tuition to honor choir fees, the Lillis Foundation continues to bring smiles to our students.
The support from the Lillis Foundation has been very meaningful for our students. The funding goes towards supporting students in academic and extra-curricular endeavors. The guideline of "providing financial resources that parents would if able" provides great guidance. It is great that there is no set formula on how to determine need as each situation is different. The program has helped many of our struggling students on their journey towards success.
Our School has been a recipient of Lillis Foundation Funds for many years. These funds have been so helpful for so many of our students for many different needs. They have helped students pay athletic fees and college class fees. Last year we were able to help two students attend a HOBY leadership conference. At the beginning of this year we ordered a solar panel kit for a couple of our upper level students. Our school so appreciates the extra funds that allow us to help students who would otherwise be unable to participate in certain activities.
I do not know what Monte Vista High School would do without the generous support from the Lillis Foundation for so many years. With Lillis Foundation funds, we have helped students attend leadership conferences, paid for Advance Placement test fees, bought books for students taking college classes, paid club and class fees like art and woods, and even on occasion, purchased dress clothes or athletic shoes for students for school events. Monte Vista High School is truly grateful for all you have done for our students! Thank you Lillis Foundation!
The Lillis Foundation funds are vital to the work we do with supporting our students at DCHS. The Lillis Fund helps us help our students with a myriad of necessary items that they are not able to provide for themselves - from helping an unaccompanied youth to be able to afford a parking sticker, to keeping money in a student's lunch account so he can eat, and to cover the fee of joining a club so a student can be more involved. We greatly appreciate what The Lillis Foundation does for our students.