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 from EXCELLENT TO EXCEPTIONAL. 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, exceptionally.
Take a look at this year’s fundraising priorities!
The hallmark of our inclusive community is that every gift is meaningful, and every gift makes a difference, exceptionally.
Take a look at this year’s fundraising priorities!
Program Enhancements
Program Enhancements
...to enable the return to a full project-based, collaborative experience that sets WNS apart from other schools. We are also making enriching programs such as SEL, art, athletics, service learning, etc. a key priority this year.
Safety and Security
Safety & Security
...continues to be of the utmost importance. Keeping our students, faculty, and staff healthy and safe while delivering our full program is our number one priority. Our hope is to make as few compromises to our program as we can, while managing the challenges of COVID and emerging variants.This costs money but we are prepared to continue to make the investment.
Technology Needs
Technology Needs
... is investing in new technology, including applications and equipment. This year, WNS is creating its own version of a Khan Academy w/Mr. Rodriguez to record integrative lessons. WNS is also purchasing iPads for younger students for online learning purposes, as well as smart displays for every lower school classroom.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
...is always at the forefront of our fundraising priorities. We value our diverse and dynamic community, but it comes with a cost and we are intentional and willing to put in the work.
Facility Upgrades
Facility Upgrades
...to maintain a safe and healthy environment is a top priority. We are also adding an additional 8th grade classroom, creating a production studio so teachers can record their lessons, upgrading the middle school common areas, and more.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice
...programs such as 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 to be a community that is as inclusive as possible.
Professional Development
Professional Development
...has been critical this year. Teachers had to adapt quickly in order to provide the best virtual learning experience possible. We are investing in new professional development tools such as Folio, Epic and IXL. For hybrid and online learning, WNS continues to incorporate tools to support and further our students' learning both in and out of the traditional classroom. We invested in resources that allow us to better communicate, collaborate, and document teaching and learning.
Reconnecting our Community
Reconnecting our Community
...whether in person or virtual, WNS is committed to connecting with our families through speaker series, family fun events, parent mixers, and more!
Exceptionally WNS
Performing Arts: Reimagined
Design-Code-Make: Innovation Unearthed
The "Why I Give" Series
WNS is a place that is a manifestation of Dr. King’s dream. There you can find children of all different ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, and different lifestyles. I am so grateful to be a part of WNS. And, every year when we get to donate to the Annual Fund, I look forward to giving to a place that believes in our future, that believes in my children’s future, and ultimately making the world a better place. Thank you in advance for your donations.
WNS is unique in how they support and nurture all our kids. This is something that is very important to our family, but also something that we need more of in the world today. That's why we give.
Giving Levels at WNS
WNS annually recognizes our most loyal and generous supporters at six 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
$30,000 and above anually
Visionary Leadership Circle
$15,000 – $29,999
annually
annually
Ambassador Leadership Circle
$7,500 – 14,999
annually
annually
Benefactor Leadership Circle
$3,500 – $7,499
annually
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.
The Friends of the School giving platform enables our parents, alumni, and grandparents to give at a level that is right for them.
Supporter
$1,000 – $3,499/ Year
Friend
$1 – $999/ Year
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 a cash gift
Give using cash, check, or credit card. Gifts can be made in person, over the phone, or online.
give a stock gift
We accept gifts in the form of stock donations. Contact the Development Office for details.
give a matching gift
Double the impact of your gift with a matching gift from your employer.
Annual Fund FAQs:
learn about how you can make a difference at wns
The WNS Annual Fund is WNS’s most vital fundraiser each year and is essential to the school’s sustainability and success. WNS is a 501c3 non-profit organization and by design must fund a portion of our operating budget through voluntary giving, making our annual fundraising a critical part of our budgetary planning. This is no ordinary year, and this is no ordinary Annual Fund. Typically, gifts to the WNS Annual Fund bridge the gap between what tuition covers and the actual cost of a WNS education. It supports the school’s greatest and this year’s fund will also cover the unforeseen but necessary costs related to the pandemic.
We ask that all families help us close the gap by considering a gift of $2,500 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 $3,500. 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 17. 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 17. 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.
© 2021 WNS | Westside Neighborhood School.