2025 Annual Fundraising

Dear Friends and Family,

At Freshman Fresh Start, we believe that financial circumstances should never hinder a student’s path to higher education. Since 2011, we’ve been working hard to provide over 1,400 exceptional students with the essential dorm room and school supplies required for campus living. These are among the biggest “hidden costs” of living at college. Finding the money to pay for these items can be a struggle, and can be the difference between attending college or not.

Highlights from 2024

• We supplied essential goods to 170 students, marking another milestone year.

• 92% of these students are the first in their families to attend college and four were their high school’s Valedictorians.

• We increased our outreach by welcoming Thrive Scholars and Fenway High School, both located in Boston.

• We received a significant donation of dorm room goods from a nationwide company.

• Our operational model underwent a substantial revision. We hired a fulfillment company to manage the logistics of receiving, assembling, and shipping our packages to our students at colleges and universities nationwide.

As we embark on our 14th year, our ambitious goal is to supply 175 students with their necessary goods. However, until our fundraising is complete, we cannot guarantee spots for our partnering schools and agencies. This is where your invaluable support becomes crucial.

We estimate the cost of goods per student to be $525, covering dorm room essentials, school supplies, fulfillment company work and shipping packages to schools – costs that escalate each year.

Your contribution will make a significant difference in the lives of these aspiring young minds. Together, we can ensure that talent and determination, not financial constraints, define our students’ futures.

Please consider supporting our cause by visiting www.freshmanfreshstart.org to learn more about our work and to make an online contribution.

Alternatively, you can mail a check to:

P.O. Box 81126, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481-0001

Thank you very much for your support.

Susan Tofias, Co-Founder

Ruth Weinstein, Co-Founder

Margaux Paine, Program Director

Nancy Casper, Chairperson