Community Support. Boundless Growth.

It takes the partnership and loyalty of our WNS community to continue its incomparable reputation for innovation and advancement. Like all non-profit, 501(C3)’s, WNS relies on the generosity of its Annual Fund contributions to take our program to the next level. Your Annual Fund gift makes a difference in the quality of the education that WNS offers all students and provides necessary operating dollars for initiatives that tuition alone does not cover.

The hallmark of our inclusive community is that every gift is meaningful, and every gift makes a difference.

Take a look at this year’s fundraising priorities!

Read Annual Fund FAQs
Give A Gift Today

Technology Needs

Making sure our students and teachers have the newest and best forms of technology and programming is highly important in our 21st century world. Every year our technology department audits our equipment and programs to determine necessary upgrades for the year, as well as additional support. This can be costly but is necessary and the Annual Fund is able to help support this.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice

DEIJ work is vast and touches every aspect of our school community. Having a team of faculty/staff members that support this necessary work allows for WNS to be intentional with achieving immediate goals, as well as provides the space for big picture planning, as it pertains to DEIJ. The faculty and staff committee is well positioned to support in curriculum development, thought partnership, and problem solving in relation to our DEIJ/Anti-Bias/SEL efforts in the classroom. Parent, teacher and student workshops and affinity groups continue to be of the utmost importance to our school. We will continue to put in the work and invest in the resources needed to be a community that is as inclusive and equitable as possible.

Athletics

The WNS athletic program continues to be a priority. Our philosophy is to promote teamwork and cooperation, learn to balance schoolwork with athletics and become more resilient individuals by being a member of a sports team. At WNS, athletics builds character, whether it’s learning to lose with pride, win with grace, or simply being a team player. The funds for this program go towards equipment, uniforms, league fees, etc. so it is accessible to all interested.

Professional Development

Our goals for the year are to continue to bring in professional experts and advocates to help train and develop our faculty and staff. We aim for WNS to be at the forefront of research and best practices at all times. In addition to bringing individuals or groups to our community, we want to send faculty and staff to external opportunities for professional development and skill-building. This includes conferences (travel + expenses), seminars, workshops, and speaker series. This would not be possible without the Annual Fund.

Visual/Performing Arts & Music

We are always elevating our programs to ensure our students receive the best and most current learning experience. We continue to offer enriching, extra-curricular programs such as dramatic arts, visual and digital art, music, dance and more. In the ECC, we continue to implement creative building projects and tools for creative expression. These programs and tools for these programs are all supported by the Annual Fund.

Financial Assistance

This year, we are investing over $3M to support our cherished, socio-economically diverse community. We value our dynamic community, but it comes with a cost and we are intentional and willing to put in the work. This year, we are also looking to boost our Emergency Financial Assistance fund for families who fall on hard times. This is temporary assistance that we are seeing our families need more and more.

Reconnecting our Community

One of our four WNS pillars is Community and we take great pride in creating pathways for our families to build connection, community, and a sense of belonging in all that we do. From supporting a fully engaged and active Parent Group Board and Grade Level Ambassadors programs to offering exciting events on campus like the Annual Block Party, Back To School Nights, Caretaker Coffees, Speaker Series, Family Fun Events, Book Clubs, DEIJ community meetings and so much more, we know that the power of a strong school community creates a vibrant and inclusive environment where every member feels valued and supported.

Multimedia Learning Center

The funds raised through the Annual fund help to build our extensive library, making it a safe space to get away, create in the maker space, or simply relax, read a book, draw, research or connect with a friend. Additionally, the revised birthday book program means every WNS student will pick a brand new book that is dedicated to them for their birthday and added to the library collection. This means we add anywhere from 20-100 new books a month. We also use the funds to fulfill teacher and student book requests throughout the year. The end result is a growing, diverse collection of titles and authors that reflects our community of readers and learners.

Retreats & Field Trips

At WNS, all retreats & field trip fees are covered by WNS so that every student gets to participate. Overnight retreats offer our Middle School students opportunities to bond with peers, push their comfort zones, and have new experiences. While overnight retreats during middle school are within a few hours’ drive of Los Angeles, the 8th grade Washington D.C. trip is an incredible experience for our graduating class, and a great way to celebrate their time at WNS.

Giving Levels at WNS

WNS annually recognizes our most loyal and generous supporters at eight levels of giving:

Leadership Circle

Leadership giving at WNS helps sustain the socio-economic diversity that drew so many of us here and preserves this special community that we so cherish. WNS’s Leadership gifts make up almost 80 percent of the Annual Fund goal. While we rely on gifts of all sizes, leadership-level gifts ensure WNS’s financial stability and deliver a profound and immediate impact on the people, programs, and facilities that comprise our vibrant school.

WNS’s Leadership Donors exemplify the selfless partnership, commitment, and dedication of those who have built WNS into the outstanding institution it is today, and those who want to preserve and continue its mission for tomorrow.

Game-Changer Leadership Circle

$25,000 and above annually

Visionary Leadership Circle

$15,000 – $24,999
annually

Ambassador Leadership Circle

$10,000 – 14,999
annually

Benefactor Leadership Circle

$5,000 – $9,999
annually

To learn more about joining the Leadership Circle please email Nikea Johnson at njohnson@wns-la.org to begin the conversation.

Friends of the School

Every gift made to WNS has an impact.

The Friends of the School giving platform enables our parents, alumni, and grandparents to give at a level that is right for them.

Partner

$3,000 – $4,999/ Year

Supporter

$1,000 – $2,999/ Year

Contributor

$500-999/ Year

Count Me In

Up to $499

Ways to give

We strive to make the process of giving back to the WNS community as straightforward as possible. Gifts made to WNS (501C3 Nonprofit Organization) are fully tax-deductible.
make a pledge
Pledges may be made to any fund or campaign. Installment plans for pledges are available.
GIVE ONLINE
give a cash gift
Give using cash, check, or credit card. Gifts can be made in person, over the phone, or online.
GIVE ONLINE
give a stock gift
We accept gifts in the form of stock donations. Contact the Development Office for details.
EMAIL US TODAY
give a matching gift
Double the impact of your gift with a matching gift from your employer.
EMPLOYER SEARCH

Annual Fund FAQs:

learn about how you can make a difference at wns

The WNS Annual Fund is our most vital fundraiser, crucial for the school’s sustainability and success. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, WNS relies on voluntary giving to support between 10-12% of our operating budget, making annual fundraising essential for budget planning. Gifts to the Annual Fund bridge the gap between tuition income and the actual cost of a WNS education, directly supporting the school’s most critical needs each school year. WNS fundraises unlike any other independent school; we wholeheartedly embrace our socio-economic diversity, making participation in the Annual Fund vital for all WNS families. What sets the WNS Annual Fund apart is its ability to make an extraordinary impact through gifts of all sizes.

We ask that all families help us close the gap by considering a gift of $3,000 per child. We recognize that in our socioeconomically diverse community gifts will range from $25 to $2,500 to $25,000 or more. Every gift from every family is valued and makes an impact. We are deeply appreciative of families who are able and willing to give over the gap and join our Leadership Circle which begins at $5,000. Every family’s participation in the WNS Annual Fund is vital!

All WNS Annual Fund donation dollars are used in the current school year. By launching the fund at the beginning of the year, we can better anticipate the dollars raised and utilize the funds immediately. We ask all families to pledge early and by the deadline of December 15. Pledge payments can be made and completed by June 30, at the end of the fiscal year.

As you saw in our Philanthropy Report, support for WNS comes in many forms! Our giving levels are determined by all cash donations to WNS within the fiscal year. These donations include support to the WNS Annual Fund, the Raise the Paddle (from our Gala) and other various initiatives during the year.

We have an employer search button on our Giving webpage where you can enter your company name to see if they have a matching gift program. Or, contact the Development Office at development@wns-la.org and we will help you research.

1) The school uses the dollars in THIS current school year and allocates them to the areas of greatest needs as part of the year’s operating budget. The dollars go directly to the faculty and students. 2) WNS begins to apply for foundations in the new year and these foundations gauge their support based on our community involvement and participation. This means our parent partnership in this initiative is a multiplier and so important!

You can create deferred or monthly payments between the kickoff date in the fall through June 30. All we ask is that you make your initial pledge by the end of the campaign on December 15. This is because the school uses these funds for THIS current school year so pledging early helps us allocate to the areas of greatest need for the year. If you have any questions about your pledge, please email: development@wns-la.org.