In 1957, Dr. Irving A. Fradkin, an optometrist, ran for a seat on the Fall River, Massachusetts, School Board. During the campaign, he called for each citizen of Fall River to contribute one dollar to create a scholarship fund to send needy students to college. Although defeated, Dr. Fradkin pushed ahead with his idea and in 1958 started Dollars for Scholars in Fall River.
By 1961, Dollars for Scholars chapters had been created in eleven states. In May 1961, Dollars for Scholars was incorporated as the Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation of America (CSFA). On January 1, 2003, the CSFA officially changed its name to Scholarship America. Now based in St. Peter, Minnesota, Scholarship America is the largest private sector scholarship and educational support organization in the United States.
There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Irving A. Fradkin papers, Ms. 2005.036, Brown University Library.
The Dr. Irving A. Fradkin papers date from 1956 to 2002 and relate to the founding and development of the Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation of America, now Scholarship America. Consisting of letters, speeches, minutes, periodicals, newsletters, press releases, clippings, articles, fact sheets, programs, reports, booklets, certificates, proclamations, videocassettes, and scrapbooks, these papers document the founding and development of Scholarship America and the history of financial aid, philanthropy, and education.
The scrapbooks contain over one hundred certificates of commendation from localities around the country, articles, programs, invitations, speeches, clippings, greeting cards, as well as letters and telegrams from important dignitaries. Of note are telegrams from Presidents Eisenhower, Reagan, and Bush, letters from Reader’s Digest and Time magazine, and a personal letter from Eleanor Roosevelt, who donated the first dollar to the program.
This collection is arranged into the following series:
This collection was donated by Dr. Irving A. Fradkin in December 2002.
Additonal materials are expected for this collection.
This collection was accessioned as A2002-77.
Brown University catalog record for this collection:
RESOURCES AT BROWN:
Includes gaps.
Includes gaps.
Includes a report, program, press releases, and a proclamation.
Includes promotional material, clippings, programs, contact information, text of legislation (Nebraska), proclamation.
Includes promotional materials, clippings, programs, and contact information.
Primarily concerns the American Dream Challenge (ADC).
Includes gaps.
Includes CSFA News (Apr. 1974-Jul 1995, incomplete run); Dollars for Scholars News (Spring 1996-Jul 1998, incomplete run); Scholarship Management Services News (Jun 1996-Spring 1997, incomplete run); California Dollars for Scholars News (Spring 1996)