In large part, the Christian exodus from the Holy Land can be attributed to barriers to formal education. Schools there are not free. Families with financial challenges will prioritize sending boys to school over girls, and will keep even them home when things are hard. Without this education, Christians encounter difficulties in securing meaningful employment, resulting in a cycle and a lifetime of financial struggle.
Solving this gap begins with access to education for younger generations. The best schools are Christian run schools, where there are always waiting lists for admissions, though Christian students are given priority. While Christian run, the students in these schools are far from all being Christians - leading to a secondary benefit. Christian and Muslim students learn that they can indeed live together, work together, and be on academic, sports, debate and other teams together. The seeds of tolerance and mutual respect are thus sown and nurtured.
These Christian children represent the future hope of permanence in the Holy Land, and investing in education for deserving Christian scholars in the Holy Land ultimately leads to economic advancement and stability as more Christians can afford to remain in the land of Christ. By supporting our education programs with your generous gift, you can make a lifelong impact for generations to come.
In 2009, the Raymond Davis Foundation began supporting Christian denominations in the Holy Land with scholarships to High School, Trade School, and College students, enabling them to attend Christian educational institutions. Scholarships are offered at a wide variety of church-affiliated schools in line with our ecumenical tradition. Specific students can be sponsored with scholarships by donors or groups, or donations toward our scholarship programs are welcomed.
RDF provides direct grants and scholarship funds to Christian schools including 2 Universities, 11 High Schools and 1 Trade/Vocational School. Over 200 students presently receive RDF Scholarships, and more than 300 students have graduated with our support. University scholarships are all focused on medical fields.
14
Total Schools Supported
200+
Total Students Currently Sponsored
382+
Total Students Graduated
79+
2025 Student Graduates
Jenin
Arab American University (AAUP formerly AAUJ) is the first private Palestinian university, founded in year 2000, in a collaboration with California State University (CSU) in Stanislaus and Utah State University (USU) in Logan. CSU approved AAUP’s first Curricula and ga...
Bethlehem
Bethlehem University of the Holy Land is a Catholic Christian co-educational institution of higher learning founded in 1973 in the Lasallian tradition, open to students of all faith traditions.
Bethlehem University, the first university established in the West Ba...
Beit Hanina
The transformative learning experiences at La Salle Jerusalem are designed to help our students grow both in and out of the classroom. The La Salle Jerusalem Campus is located in the heart of the Old City in Jerusalem, and the Beit Hanina Campus is located to the north...
Bethlehem
Collège des Frères has been a prominent Palestinian institution of education in Bethlehem for 132 years, serving students irrespective of religious affiliation or national identity.
Founded in 1891 by the La Salle Brothers, a Catholic order dedicated to teaching,...
New Gate Jerusalem
The transformative learning experiences at La Salle Jerusalem are designed to help our students grow both in and out of the classroom. The La Salle Jerusalem Campus is located in the heart of the Old City in Jerusalem, and the Beit Hanina Campus is located to the north...
Jerusalem
There are 2 Coptic Orthodox schools in Jerusalem. The first is St. Dimiana's Coptic College which educates boys and girls at the Kindergarten, Elementary, Preparatory, and Secondary levels.
The second is St. Anthony Coptic College which educates boys at the ...
Ramallah
Founded in 2001, the ETVTC in Ramallah, Palestine, is one of the youngest educational ministries of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. The Center provides quality technological education for 420 students in grades 7 – 10 from five private schools and two government sc...
Beit Sahour
Founded in 1901 through partnership with local church members and German missionaries, the Evangelical Lutheran School (ELS) in Beit Sahour is the second longest-running school in Beit Sahour. Since its birth, ELS has served both Christian and Muslim students, boys and...
Bethlehem
“Our school,” says Fr. George, “can boast of being the oldest school in the whole of the Middle East and was founded in 1598. Since then, generations and generations of Palestinians have had access to education thanks to our work and mission and still today, ministers ...
Ramleh
“The Terra Sancta School in Ramleh is present in all the homes. There is no Arab family in the city that has not had one of its members at this school.” Fra Abdel Masih Fahim, of the Custody of the Holy Land, is proud of the mark that the Franciscan school can leave on...
Nazareth
The Nazareth Baptist School (NBS) was established as a primary school in 1935-1936 school year by Rev. Hanna Beshoti, pastor of the Baptist Church in Nazareth and supported by the Southern Baptist Mission in the United States. When the Second World War erupted, the sch...
Bethany
On Lazarus Saturday, 1937, a boarding school for Orthodox girls was opened. Girls were brought up and educated under the vigilant supervision of sisters and staff living in the community. Today, Bethany is no longer a village, but a city with a population of over 20,00...
Beit Hanina
The Rosary Sisters School is part of a chain of schools spread in many countries across the Middle East which are affiliated with and run by the Sisters of the Rosary Sisters Congregation. The Rosary Sisters Congregation is an Arab congregation founded in Jerusalem in ...
Jerusalem
The Sts. Tarkmanchatz Armenian School of Jerusalem is a co-educational institution located in the Armenian Monastery of the Old City of Jerusalem. It educates boys and girls at the Kindergarten, Elementary, Preparatory, and Secondary levels.
As a senior high school student graduating is approaching just too quickly. I'm filled with a mix of emotions—excitement for the future, a touch of sadness for the memories I'll leave behind, and immense appreciation for the incredible journey I've had at the Orthodox School of Bethany. Your kindness has played a significant role in making the experience so special, and I truly appreciate it.
— Maysan, Orthodox School for Girls in Bethany
I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for your generous sponsorship and support. Thanks to your contribution, I was able to achieve the highest grade in the Hotel Management branch. Your belief in me and the resources you’ve provided have truly made a significant impact on my success. I am deeply grateful for your support and commitment to our education.
— Saji, Episcopal Technical & Vocational Training Center
I am truly honored and thankful for being given this amazing scholarship. The school has shaped the way I learn and has guided me towards a better educational ideology in history, chemistry, math, Hebrew, and Arabic. This opportunity has given me a chance to further educate myself in many aspects that I had never experienced before and has helped create a more just plan to continue my journey towards my desire of studying in law school. Please accept my heartfelt gratitude for sponsoring my tuition fee.
— Leon, Sts. Tarkmanchatz Armenian School
Currently I am a grade 9 student. I would like to express my gratitude for sponsoring my tuition fee. I consider myself very lucky to be in your program. I enjoy studying at Sts Tarkmanchatz School; we have a wonderful administration and teachers who do their best to educate us. Being part of your scholarship program has helped my family financially and encouraged me to work harder to achieve better results. I would like to thank you again and wish you a Happy Easter.
— Elena, Sts. Tarkmanchatz Armenian School
I would like to thank you for sponsoring my tuition fee. Personally, I enjoy mostly everything at school, but the one subject that I actually enjoy is chemistry... I hope to enhance my chemistry skills, and expand in the fields of medicine. I’m very grateful for you kindness and generosity.
— Talar, Sts. Tarkmanchatz Armenian School
Thank you very much for choosing me for your scholarship! It means a lot! It helps my family so much, and makes me feel special and proud. Because of your support I won't be moved to a government school, I can stay in my school, and I can come to school every day with everything I need. In the future I want to be a doctor so I can help people and make them feel better. I will study hard to make my parents proud. I hope you will be proud, too.
— Lilia, Orthodox School for Girls in Bethany
