White-Williams Scholars: About the Ellis Trust

About the Ellis Trust

History of the Charles E. Ellis Grant and Scholarship Fund

Charles Ellis acquired a substantial fortune as a trolley franchise operator in Philadelphia. When he died in 1909, he left the bulk of his estate to establish a school for fatherless girls between the ages of 13 and 17. His intent was to complement Girard College, the school established by Stephen Girard to provide free secondary education to orphaned boys. In the 1970's, after years of declining enrollment, the court approved the sale of the Ellis School for Girls and its 450-acre campus in Newtown Square. In 1979, the Trust's new mission was established: to provide grants to girls enrolled in high school in Philadelphia County, from single-parent families, in need of aid to complete their high school education. The intent of the Trust is to distribute grants on behalf of Philadelphia public school students to provide substantial, meaningful and life-changing benefits to students.

The Ellis Trust and White-Williams Scholars

In 1995, the Ellis Trust Advisory Committee and its Trust advisor, PNC Bank, contracted with White-Williams Scholars to oversee the review of applications and the spending of the available funds for qualified applicants. By using already established connections and creating new relationships in schools throughout the Delaware Valley, the Ellis Trust spends approximately 1.4 million dollars each year. The money is spent on programs in pre-college preparation, music, theater, sports and a host of other opportunities for girls in Philadelphia public schools, as well as tuition assistance at diocesan and independent schools for girls in grades 9 through 12.

The Ellis Trust is establishing a strong reputation for making a difference in the lives of high school girls in Philadelphia. The partnership between White-Williams Scholars and the Charles Ellis Trust capitalizes on the complementary missions of two organization committed to providing resources to the most economically disadvantaged students.

Students receiving aid from The Ellis Trust have used the funds for the following purposes: