• Marie Aiello
• Terri-Ann Gordon
• Thomas Havard
• Albert Mignone
• Mark Pacicca
• Harry Peterson
• Violet Santelia
• Donna Tortorici
• Steven Tortorici

Leland L. Silliman Education Fund
P.O. Box 88
Purchase, NY 10577

In the mid-nineteen sixties, the Leland L. Silliman Education Fund was established to honor the respected Purchase Elementary School principal, Leland Silliman, whose belief in education inspired countless Purchase students to reach for their dreams.  Since that year, this Fund has provided interest-free loans and continues to provide interest-free loans to Purchase School students who choose to pursue their education beyond high school and need financial help in pursuing their goals.

Many Purchase Elementary School students have benefited from these interest-free loans.  As they graduated from higher education and went on to successful careers, their loan repayments were used to replenish the Fund for other students in need of assistance.  While this replenishment helps to fuel the next group of loans, annual contributions from our numerous friends and neighbors are essential to meet the rising costs of higher education and in allowing us to provide funding for more students.

To even consider attending college during these most difficult of economic times, more students will require financial help.  This growing need means the generosity of previous contributors to the Silliman Fund must be maintained and new contributors must be found.  While we realize this economy adversely affects all of us, we know you understand the value of educating our youth.  They are our country’s future, and we will be depending on them to become the innovators who find the solutions to problems in our community, country and the world.  Your contribution is needed for the Fund to continue its good work.

It is important to note that as a volunteer Board of Trustees we keep our overhead expenses exceedingly low by working from our homes and the Purchase Fire House rather than supporting an office.  Except for the minimal cost of mailing supplies and postage, 100% of donations and 100% of student repayments go towards new loans. You should also know that over the years that the Fund has been in existence and helping our students, over 99% of the loans made have been repaid in full.

Please help us continue to provide our Purchase students with the opportunity to pursue higher education, their goals and dreams!  Every contribution to the Silliman Fund matters!  

All gifts are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. 

Thank you for your participation in this important community effort.