We Believe in the Power of Connection.

Friends of Liberty (FOL) is the statewide nonprofit arm supporting all 51 Liberty Partnerships Programs across New York. We advocate, fund, and amplify the voices of students, alumni, and educators who are changing lives every day.

Our mission is to ensure every young person has access to opportunity—through advocacy, professional development, statewide collaboration, and events that ignite hope and leadership.

Our Mission

FOL exists to address the significant high school dropout rate among low-income, historically underserved youth throughout New York State. Failure to complete secondary education limits advancement into postsecondary education, reduces opportunities for a fulfilling life, and hinders the State’s efforts to maintain a well-trained workforce.

FOL seeks to maximize the successful transition of at-risk students to higher education and to serve as a resource for workforce and economic development in New York by working with Liberty Partnerships—a longstanding dropout-prevention and college-preparedness program.

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What We Do

  • Raise and receive private support. We conduct fundraising activities and solicit individuals, corporations, foundations, and other philanthropic organizations for donations and grants.
  • Distribute funds to Liberty Partnerships programs. Funds raised by FOL are distributed to LPP campus–school partnerships to strengthen dropout-prevention and college-preparedness services.
  • Provide support and professional development to our programs and directors, enabling them to in turn support their students, schools, and communities.
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Why It Matters

By directing private funds to Liberty Partnerships programs, FOL helps promote improved secondary-school retention, greater college or postsecondary professional preparation, and a stronger, better-prepared workforce in New York State.

See the impact FOL and the NYS LPP has in our 2023-2024 Annual Report