History of the Chester Education Foundation

Initiated in 1988 with funding from institutions including Sun Company, Scott Paper Company, the Pew
Charitable Trusts, Widener University and others, CEF was incorporated in 1989 as a private, non-profit
organization with 501(c)(3) status.  Over the past 19 years, CEF has developed an excellent reputation in
the community as a caring, responsive and trusted organization.  We have brought together over 200
different organizations whose mission is to also serve the residents of this troubled city.  Chester Education
Foundation provides a rich variety of educational services and programs to more than 4,000 students
throughout the Chester Upland community including during the school year, as well as, the summer months.  
Tutoring for those who need remedial classes in order to be prepared to learn more in-depth studies of core
subject areas is a major function of Chester Education Foundation.  Summer career training, jobs,
mentorship opportunities and leadership training are also important programs the children take part in
during the summer months.

Please Click here for our time lined list of events
Chester Education Foundation

Currently, CEF is concentrating its efforts in
three areas:
  1. Continuing to build critically needed
    educational/enrichment/prevention
    programs in Chester’s elementary,
    middle and high schools;            
  2. Facilitating community-wide
    revitalization efforts; and
  3. Strengthening the capacity of local
    human service agencies.
Chester Education Foundation has
been the proud recipient of two very
prestigious government grants
opportunities:

  1. Communities That Care
    (1994) and
  2. Pennsylvania Weed and Seed
    (1997).

These two initiatives bring together
249 organizations to provide
educational, health, crime prevention,
housing and community revitalization
services in Chester.
Chester Education Foundation               ●              2600 W. 9th Street Suite GS-100 Chester,  PA 19013                      ●              Telephone:    610.364.1212  Fax: 610.364.1563