Farewell Celebration Marks Pascale Sykes Foundation Achievements

On May 20, 2022

More than 100 attendees gathered at a special farewell celebration of the Pascale Sykes Foundation on Wednesday, held at Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton Township.

Celebrating the Pascale Sykes Foundation’s three decades of achievements and milestones related to its mission of building strong families and transforming the lives of working, low-income families, the celebration featured remarks by Rev. Dr. Darrell Armstrong of Shiloh Baptist Church (Trenton) and video presentations featuring several of the grantees and partners the Foundation has worked with over the past 30 years. Staff and board members of the Pascale Sykes Foundation, which is closing its doors this year as part of its original spend-down plan, also spoke and shared memories at the event.

The sunsetting event also honored the philanthropic legacy of the Pascale Sykes Foundation’s founder and president, Frances P. Sykes, whose extraordinary generosity and vision has led to the investment of roughly $60 million in more than 186 New Jersey- and New York-based community organizations and initiatives.

Founded on the premise that working families shouldn’t experience a crisis before they can access the resources and support needed to reach their full potential, the Pascale Sykes Foundation has advocated for and funded innovative, holistic social and economic development programs since 1992.

The Whole Family Approach is a family-led strategy that equips adults and children with the tools and support to set, plan for and achieve their goals together. Since 2011, the Foundation has implemented the Whole Family Approach in 26 different collaborative nonprofit efforts across Southern and Central New Jersey and Greater New York City. As part of its efforts, the Foundation has partnered with like-minded civic, religious and social service organizations to support social and economic initiatives, making integrated investments in transportation and non-traditional small business loans.

Although the Pascale Sykes Foundation is closing its doors, Sykes’ vision endures. The Foundation and its partners encourage new funders to learn more about Pascale Sykes’ Whole Family Approach and consider funding organizations that implement it.

“Fran’s tireless commitment to working, low-income families in our region has helped strengthen communities and spurred opportunities for thousands of individuals in our region,” stated Pascale Sykes Foundation Acting President Susan Kyrillos. “As we celebrate the Foundation’s many achievements over the past 30 years, it’s crucial that the Whole Family Approach continues to improve family well-being and financial stability. New funders supporting organizations that practice this family-led strategy that we have implemented will have an enormous impact on our communities, not only strengthening families but the region as a whole.”

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