Welcome to the Aunt B Fund Website

What does the Aunt B Fund Do?

The Aunt B Fund was established in memory of Barbara Ellen Pollard Silverman to advance bettering the lives of those underserved by society (especially children), peacemaking, the alleviation of suffering in all forms, and other charitable purposes.

So what now?

Members of Barbara's family (brother Scott; sister-in-law Karen; nieces Larkin and Amanda) establishd the Aunt B Fund through the Philadelpia Foundation in July 2007.  Barbara’s family asks that as you consider what differences to make in the world with your gift dollars that continuing Barbara’s legacy through support of the Aunt B Fund be one option you weigh. Contributions should be made out to The Philadelphia Foundation and mailed to:

The Philadelphia Foundation
1234 Market Street, Suite 1800
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Attn: AuntB Fund

A little more background: So Who is Aunt B?

BARBARA ELLEN POLLARD SILVERMAN was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 29, 1960. She died in Fairfax, Virginia on September 15, 2001, having lived a temporal life that was far too short but as enriching as it was rich. From the moment of her interrupted, feet-first, taxi-based entry, Barbara was confident, brave and adventurous.

Situated chronologically between her clumsily adoring brothers Scott and Robert (Bob), Barbara was raised in a Victorian farmhouse with numerous pets in the Oak Lane section of Philadelphia by socially conscious, politically-passionate, loving parents, Albert (a native of that city) and Emily (from Nashville, Tennessee, and whose family came from Maine and Florida). When not exploring the neighborhood, introducing Scott to superior music and rescuing Bob from the monster living in his night-dark closet, Barbara took guiding roles in the family’s annual treks to Maine and numerous camping trips throughout the South and upper New England.

Barbara was still pre-adolescent when she took-up the three causes that defined her adulthood: a personal journey to move ever closer to God; an unwavering commitment to peace; and a need to improve the plight of the sick and downtrodden in everyday America. Barbara’s conversion to Catholicism in 1997 was far more an affirmation of her religious intensity than a rejection of the Quaker faith she had embraced for so many years before and after she matriculated at Earlham. As an undergraduate she studied international relations and economics at American University out of a realization that world peace could only proceed from pragmatic understanding, an insight that led her to join the staff of the William Penn House in DC. She volunteered hours and hours to bettering America, through her churches, community associations and in direct action. When ministering the sick became her priority she completed a hospital chaplaincy training program, then in truth was found by the Ronald McDonald House of Washington, DC.

Barbara considered the District her true home. She delighted in hosting family and friends when they visited the capital, and her advice was perfect whether counseling visitors when to hit the Mall or where to get the best Ethiopian. She showed her nieces, Larkin Anne and Amanda Ray, just about the best times of their lives, in DC, Maryland eastern shore, the whirlpool at their grandfather’s retirement community and always and forever Maine. She knew a great beer on first taste; appreciated (and cooked) great food; was slightly addicted to McDonald’s breakfasts; camped with her dear young friends Hana and Nori; vacationed in Vegas; and tried to follow NASCAR. She spoke truth to power; knew how to give herself and those she cared about a wonderful time; and always will have our love.