Check payable to: NEBJ Scholarship Fund, Inc.
445 Bank Lane, PO Box 150 · Dover, DE 19904-9997 · Memo: Scholarship Gift
All gifts tax-deductible · EIN 42-2745581 · 501(c)(3) exempt nonprofit
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Thank you.
Your gift honors Nellie's legacy and supports the next generation of musician-servants in the Philadelphia area.
A tax receipt has been sent to your email address.
Philadelphia · New Jersey · Delaware
Honoring a life of music, faith & service
The Nellie Elizabeth Baker Jordan Memorial Scholarship Fund — investing in the next generation of classical musician-servants.
$10KInitial endowment
2 × $1KYear 1 scholarships
70 yrsNellie's music ministry
10+Annual goal in perpetuity
"
Never failing to answer with a yes — her musicianship and selfless spirit produced a music ministry that spanned nearly 70 years.
From the life of Nellie Elizabeth Baker Jordan · 1944 – 2026
Nellie Elizabeth Baker Jordan
1944 – 2026 · Philadelphia, PA
Her story
A gift given, and given again
Nellie graduated early as Valedictorian from Simon Gratz High School before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Combs College of Music in Philadelphia — one of the city's own, shaped by the city's public schools and churches.
A classically trained pianist and vocalist, she performed with opera companies, directed church choirs, and moved effortlessly from Handel and Bach to the O'Jays — always bringing everyone into the conversation.
Her music was never for herself. It was ministry. For 70 years, she served as Music Director at Zion Baptist Church, Faith United Christian Church, St. Matthews Baptist, and dozens of other faith communities — often unpaid, unstoppable, and utterly devoted.
1962Valedictorian, Simon Gratz High School, Philadelphia
1966BA in Music, Combs College of Music, Philadelphia
1970sOpera company vocalist; a 70-year choral ministry well under way
1971Temple University Chapel of Four Chaplains Award
2010sPresident's Music Legend Award, National Baptist Convention
Join us
Every gift grows the endowment — forever
This is an endowed scholarship. Your principal is invested; returns fund scholarships in perpetuity — with a minimum award of $1,000 per scholarship. The gift you make today will still be working in 2054.
Make a gift
Every contribution — at any level — grows an endowment that will fund classical music scholarships in perpetuity.
For friends, family & supporters
Give in Nellie's name
Choose the giving level that feels right. Every dollar is invested; scholarship awards come from returns — meaning your principal works forever.
Music seed
In her spirit
Your gift adds to the total scholarship fund and helps with student expenses such as a year of sheet music or contributes toward a single private lesson. A small but meaningful act of passing music forward.
$25–$99
RecognitionNamed in annual donor list
Tax receiptImmediate via email
★ Most popular
Music ministry gift
Contributes directly to the annual scholarship pool. Named in the tribute alongside Nellie's story on the annual donors page — because this is the level where legacies are built.
$100–$499
RecognitionPersonal Committee letter + Annual donors page acknowledgement
Tax receiptImmediate via email
Legacy steward
Scholar sponsor
Funds a full scholarship award or a major portion of one. You'll receive an annual update from the recipient your gift helped support — a direct line to Nellie's living legacy.
$500–$4,999
RecognitionPermanent honor roll +
UpdatesScholar community updates
Tax receiptImmediate via email + year-end summary
Endowment founder
Named scholarship gift
At this level, a scholarship is permanently awarded in your name — or in honor of someone you designate. The NEBJ Fund will Upon approval, The NEBJ Fund will carry that name forward in every award cycle, permanently.
$5,000+
RecognitionNamed scholarship award, permanent web listing
ContactPlease contact Committee Chair for details
How to give
Giving can be managed across several platforms — Venmo (@NEBJFund), Cash App ($NEBJFund), Credit or Debit Card via Square (click any Give Now button above), or Check made payable to NEBJ Scholarship Fund, Inc., 445 Bank Lane PO Box 150, Dover, Delaware 19904. Memo: Scholarship Gift.
💙 Venmo @NEBJFund
💚 Cash App $NEBJFund
💳 Credit / Debit via Square
✉️ Check by Mail
EIN: 42-2745581 · All gifts are tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law · NEBJ Scholarship Fund, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) exempt nonprofit organization
For donor-advised fund holders
Grant from your DAF
If you have a Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, Vanguard, Daffy, or any other donor-advised fund, you can recommend a grant directly to the NEBJ Fund — using dollars you've already set aside for giving.
One-click DAF giving
Your generosity is already invested.
DAF holders have already taken their tax deduction. Recommending a grant to the NEBJ Fund is the next step — and with Chariot, it takes under 60 seconds from any major DAF sponsor. The median donor doubles their giving after activating a DAF. This is the highest-impact channel for growing the endowment quickly toward its 10-scholarship-per-year goal.
Make checks payable to NEBJ Scholarship Fund, Inc. and mail to: 445 Bank Lane, PO Box 150, Dover, DE 19904-9997. Include "DAF grant" in the memo line and your DAF sponsor's name so we can coordinate the acknowledgment.
For foundations, corporations & institutional partners
Partner with the NEBJ Fund
A single foundation grant of $5,000–$25,000 could double the endowment and accelerate the Fund's path to 10 annual scholarships. We welcome conversations with Philadelphia-area arts funders, corporate giving programs, and matching gift sponsors.
Why partner with NEBJ
The NEBJ Fund targets a specific, underserved intersection: classical music excellence combined with demonstrated service to others. Recipients come from Philadelphia public schools and the communities Nellie served for 70 years. Your grant is not just a scholarship — it is an investment in musician-servants who will give back.
Target Philadelphia-area funders
Pew Center for Arts & HeritagePhiladelphia Cultural FundWilliam Penn FoundationSettlement Music SchoolPatricia Kind Foundation
Inquiry form
Corporate matching gift programs
Many employers match charitable contributions dollar-for-dollar or more. If your employer has a matching gift program, please notify us at the time of your donation so we can provide the documentation required to claim the match. A $250 personal gift can become $500 or more at no additional cost to you.
Applications open October 15, 2026
Apply for a scholarship
High school juniors and seniors in the greater Philadelphia metro area with a demonstrated passion for musical excellence and a heart for service.
Who should apply
Eligibility criteria
Geographic & academic
Where you study matters
Current junior or senior (grades 11–12) at an accredited school in Philadelphia County (PA), Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, or Atlantic County (NJ), or New Castle or Kent County (DE)
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (official transcript required). Unique circumstances will be considered on a case by case basis.
Intending to enroll in an accredited post-secondary institution and demonstrate a meaningful commitment to the continued pursuit of musical excellence
Musical achievement
Classical training with depth
Minimum 3 consecutive years of classical training in primary instrument or voice
Active participation in school, community, or faith-based musical ensembles
Video performance submission (5–15 min, unedited, within past 12 months)
In rare cases, the Committee will also consider other non-traditional musicianship and training given the applicant's unique circumstances as well as his or her available resources
Service — the NEBJ distinction
Music given in service to others
We'd like to get to know you! We want to hear your "Why?"
Demonstrated use of musical talent in service — directing a choir, performing at community events, teaching younger students, or participating in music outreach
A recommendation or video from a leader at a church, community organization, or service program who can directly confirm your use of musical talent in service — not a family member or personal friend
Required application materials
1. Completed application form
2. 3.0+ GPA and Official Transcript
3. Intro video (1–2 minutes) or personal statement · Please share your "why" — introduce yourself and your musical journey, describe how you plan to use your gifts to serve others (YouTube or Vimeo link preferred) as well as how you intend to deepen your commitment to musical excellence. If you prefer, you may share this in written form in a short paragraph as part of your application.
4. Performance video (5–15 min) · Unedited, recorded within the past 12 months, submitted as a YouTube or Vimeo link
5. Letter of Recommendation or Video (2–5 min, unedited) — Community or Faith Leader · From a leader at a church, community organization, or service program who can directly confirm your use of musical talent in service — not a family member or personal friend.
ⓘ At this time, the NEBJ Scholarship Fund considers only current juniors or seniors (grades 11–12) enrolled at an accredited school in Philadelphia County (PA) · Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, or Atlantic County (NJ) · or New Castle or Kent County (DE).
Key dates
Applications openOct 15, 2026
Applications closeJan 31, 2027
Notifications sentMar 31, 2027
Funds disbursedMay 15, 2027
Award details
Year 1 awards2 scholarships
Award amount$1,000 each
DisbursementTo institution or applicant for eligible expenses
Scholar engagementNEBJ community — musicians, instructors, funders & more
Ready to apply?
Applications open October 15, 2026. Submit all materials digitally by January 31, 2027.
Opens Oct 15, 2026 — accepting links & documents
Musician-servants, past & future
The NEBJ Scholar Community
Every recipient joins a living community — performing, serving, and sharing their work annually in Nellie's spirit.
Scholar Community
Scholars in their own words
Each NEBJ scholar submits an engage with the ecosystem of musicians, instructors, and those passionate about musicianship while serving others. This is the living record of Nellie's legacy.
Coming in 2027
Scholar videos will be featured here following our first award cycle.
Once our inaugural recipients are selected in Spring 2027, their stories, performances, and reflections on service will be shared in this space. This community will grow with every award cycle, building a living archive of Nellie's legacy in action.
Scholar Community
The NEBJ Scholar Community
We invite each NEBJ scholar to engage with the ecosystem of musicians, instructors, and those passionate about musicianship while serving others — sharing performances, connections, and reflections as part of the living record of Nellie's legacy.
Part 1 · Performance
At least 2 minutes of live or recorded classical or original repertoire demonstrating continued musical growth. May be performed in a community setting.
Part 2 · Service reflection
A 1–2 minute spoken reflection on how the scholar has continued using their musical talent in service to others during the past year.
Part 3 · Forward commitment
30–60 seconds describing the scholar's musical goals for the coming year and how they intend to carry Nellie's legacy of music and service forward.
About the fund
Governance, transparency, and the committee carrying Nellie's legacy forward.
Fund governance
Built to last
The NEBJ Fund is structured as a perpetual endowment — principal invested, scholarships funded from returns. It is administered by a volunteer Committee committed to transparency, objectivity, and Nellie's original values.
Investment vehicleCommunity foundation fund or diversified brokerage
Spending rate4–5% of trailing 12-month value
Geographic focusPhiladelphia PA · Southern NJ · Northern and Central DE
Documents & filings
IRS Determination LetterAvailable upon request
Annual Report 2026Available after first award cycle
IRS Form 990-Ne-Postcard filed annually by May 15 (15th day of the 5th month after close of Dec 31 fiscal year) per IRS guidelines · Free online at irs.gov · Required to maintain 501(c)(3) status
BylawsAvailable upon request
NEBJ Fund Committee
IH
Ian Hardman
Committee Chair
Additional committee member information is available upon request. Contact the Chair at ihardman@nebjscholarship.org.
Contact the committee
For general inquiries, donation questions, partnership discussions, or media requests:
ihardman@nebjscholarship.org
NEBJ Fund Committee NEBJ Scholarship Fund, Inc. · 445 Bank Lane, PO Box 150 · Dover, DE 19904-9997
Investment approach
Principal is invested in a diversified portfolio (~60% equity / 30% fixed income / 10% cash). Annual scholarships are funded from investment returns only — principal is preserved and grows over time. Projected path to 10 annual scholarships: 15–20 years at current contribution growth rate.
