Irving A. Fradkin papers (Ms. 2005.036)

Biographical note

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.