Our Founders
Milton and Catherine Hershey: The Philanthropic Couple
In 1909, Milton and Catherine (Kitty) Hershey signed the Deed of Trust together, formalizing a shared vision rooted in education, care, and opportunity. Their partnership reflected a deep belief in purposeful giving and long‑term impact, with each bringing perspective and intention. When asked years later why they founded Milton Hershey School, Mr. Hershey simply replied, “It was Kitty’s idea.”
Milton Hershey: The Resilient Businessman
Milton Hershey’s upbringing was difficult, with his often absent father, Henry Hershey, pursuing multiple failed business ventures. His mother, Fanny, however, instilled many traits in him such as hard work, diligence, and thriftiness—a resilience that led to success through chocolate.
After several unsuccessful candy businesses, Milton never gave up. He eventually found success with the Lancaster Caramel Company, which he sold to fund a new venture—creating milk chocolate in the town he grew up. Milton Hershey set out to mass produce milk chocolate, and as the factory grew, so did his dreams for a new town.
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Catherine Hershey: Her Charitable Influence
Catherine “Kitty” Hershey was Milton Hershey’s beloved wife for 17 years. A cultured woman, she expanded her husband’s worldview. She influenced Mr. Hershey’s perspective on charitable giving. Her commitment to helping others inspired several charitable gifts, including support for Franklin & Marshall College, St. Patrick Cathedral in Harrisburg, and the Lancaster Charity Society.
Kitty had a great influence over Milton Hershey, who viewed her as a philanthropic partner—a partnership that founded Milton Hershey School.
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Building the Community of Hershey
Milton Hershey used his success to build a thoughtfully planned community around his chocolate factory, providing homes, transportation, and recreation for employees and their families. During the Great Depression, he kept workers employed through major construction projects that created many of Hershey’s most iconic landmarks and helped shape the town’s lasting character.
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A Mother’s Love and Inspiration
Another strong influence on Milton Hershey was his mother, Fanny Hershey. She, like all parents, wanted more for her son than she believed she could provide. She instilled the value of hard work and perseverance in Milton from a young age. Mr. Hershey’s mother also influenced his philanthropic efforts when she told him, “Milton, don’t let your millions spoil you,” after his wife passed away.
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The Gift that Changed Lives
In 1918, three years after Kitty’s passing, Milton gave his fortune to the home and school he and his wife built nearly a decade prior. It wasn’t until the news of Mr. Hershey’s unique act of service splashed across the front page of The New York Times five years later, in 1923, that the world found out. The Hersheys’ gift continues to change the lives of children and their families from across the country.
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Our Founders' Living Legacy
Milton Hershey School is Milton and Catherine Hershey’s living legacy. It gave them a family they could call their own and continues to fulfill their wish to help children lead productive and fulfilling lives.
Do you know a child who could benefit? Our enrollment process can help you determine if MHS is the right fit.
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Expanding Our Founders' Impact
In 2020, Milton Hershey School further recognized Catherine Hershey by naming its subsidiary school after her. Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning provides a cost-free educational, social, and cognitive day program to children of low-income families from birth to age 5. CHS Early Childhood Resource Centers are located across the state of Pennsylvania.
CHS was inspired by MHS and is operated independently of the MHS core model.
Learn About CHS