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ANNUAL FUND

The WIS Annual Fund is the foundation of philanthropy at WIS.

Like other independent schools, WIS relies on the Annual Fund to support critical budget needs and drive innovation. When you support the Annual Fund, you help us achieve our mission. Your gift provides additional resources for students and faculty and supports educational initiatives that go above and beyond what is covered by tuition alone.

Our Goal: Ambitious but achievable—100% participation from every member of the WIS community, at a level that feels comfortable. Every gift, no matter the amount, makes an impact, and we are grateful for each contribution.

Gifts to the Annual Fund support a broad range of programs and initiatives at WIS:

A robust and inclusive curriculum that inspires a passion for inquiry-based learning.
Financial aid to support students and families.
International-mindedness, diversity, and inclusion initiatives relating to teaching practices, curriculum, employee recruitment, and more.
Faculty training to ensure our educators engage in life-long learning.
Athletic programming that empowers students with leadership skills they can use both on and off the court, field, or track.
Experiential visual and performing arts programming.
Other areas of greatest need throughout the year.

ANNUAL FUND CO-CHAIRS

Farah Al Hinai and Mairzy Krulic

ANNUAL FUND FAQS

WHAT IS THE ANNUAL FUND?
The Annual Fund is the foundation of charitable giving at WIS, directly benefiting students, teachers, and academic programs. Each year, the school relies on Annual Fund contributions to meet essential budgetary needs, support innovative programs, and plan for future initiatives.
WHY IS THERE SUCH A STRONG FOCUS ON THE ANNUAL FUND?
In the school's early years, incremental increases in enrollment allowed WIS to rely on growing revenue from tuition. Starting in 2008, WIS enrollment reached capacity, limited by size of WIS facilities, city regulations, and agreements with surrounding neighborhoods. Accordingly, it was no longer possible to realize revenue growth through enrollment growth. Given our commitment to keeping tuition increases to a minimum, supporting WIS’s revenue base through a robust Annual Fund is vital for the School’s present and future. A growing Annual Fund alleviates WIS's dependence on tuition revenue, which currently stands at 90% of its total income, significantly above the average of other NAIS schools and of most other schools in the Washington, DC area.
WHO MAKES GIFTS TO THE ANNUAL FUND?
All members of the WIS community—parents, alumni, faculty and staff, parents of alumni, grandparents, and friends—are encouraged to contribute each year. Annual giving is a wonderful way to support the exceptional teaching and learning that happens every day at WIS.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I GIVE?
Every gift to WIS—large or small—has a real and tangible impact on the educational experience of every student. We understand that financial situations vary, but we hope WIS will be each family’s primary philanthropic priority while your children are enrolled. Our request is that each family considers making a gift that is meaningful given personal circumstances.
ARE GIFTS TO THE ANNUAL FUND TAX DEDUCTIBLE?
Absolutely! Gifts to the Annual Fund are 100% tax deductible.
WHAT IS PARTICIPATION? WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Participation refers to the percentage of our community—parents, alumni, faculty, and others—who make a gift of any size to the Annual Fund or Fund-A-Student each year. This percentage serves as a key indicator of the strength and commitment of the WIS community and can influence external funding, as many foundations consider participation rates before deciding to make charitable contributions.
I WANT TO SUPPORT BOTH THE ANNUAL FUND AND THE FUNDRAISER FOR FINANCIAL AID. AM I ABLE TO DO THAT?
Absolutely! The annual Fundraiser for Financial Aid is a crucial part of the Annual Fund, raising funds specifically designated for Financial Aid. We encourage families to contribute to the Annual Fund and support WIS by attending the Fundraiser, donating items to the Silent Auction, and/or volunteering and bidding during the Silent Auction and Fund-A-Student portions of the evening.
I ALREADY PAY TUITION. WHY SHOULD I MAKE A GIFT TO THE ANNUAL FUND?
Each year, there are budgetary needs that tuition alone does not fully cover. Gifts to the Annual Fund help meet these needs by supporting the day-to-day operations at WIS—from academic and extracurricular programs to teacher resources, professional development, and facility maintenance. The Fund also provides essential financial aid for families who rely on assistance to make a WIS education possible. Additionally, these gifts enable WIS to plan and save for the future, ensuring that the school continues to offer an exemplary education for generations to come.
WHEN SHOULD I MAKE MY GIFT?
The Annual Fund follows a fiscal year from July 1 to June 30, and we encourage individuals to make a gift at a time that works best for their family. An early commitment in the academic year helps build momentum for the Annual Fund campaign. Throughout the year, Annual Fund parent volunteers reach out to WIS families to request contributions, thank donors for their support, and answer any questions they may have.
CAN I DESIGNATE MY GIFT?
Absolutely. WIS is delighted to accept Annual Fund contributions designated to the following areas: Unrestricted/Greatest Need, Athletics, Arts, Exchange & Service Learning Trips, Facilities, Faculty Development, Financial Aid, or Library & Media Services. Simply select the program of your choice in the drop-down menu of the online giving form or feel free to contact the Advancement Office with any questions at advancement@wis.edu or 202.243.1693.
DOES WIS RECEIVE SUPPORT FROM GOVERNMENT OR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS?
WIS does not receive support from any government or international financial institution. Some organizations provide tuition support to their employees, but this support is directly to the employees, not to WIS.
WHO CAN I CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions about giving, ways to get involved, or the Annual Fund, please contact Walker Konkle at walker.konkle@wis.edu or 202.243.1693.

Donors looking at something on a mobile phone

WIS GIVING DAYS

This fall, the WIS community came together once again for our seventh annual WIS Giving Days, a three-day celebration of giving back and supporting the Annual Fund. The 2024 campaign surpassed all expectations, with 423 donors contributing over $250,000—breaking the record for the most donations ever received during Giving Days!

Thanks to a generous $100,000 match, every gift helped maximize the impact, supporting programs like financial aid, faculty development, and enriching experiences for our students.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who participated and made this year’s Giving Days an unforgettable success. Your generosity continues to shape the WIS experience for students, teachers, and the entire community. Thank you!

FUNDRAISER FOR FINANCIAL AID

The Fundraiser for Financial Aid raises hundreds of thousands in support of Financial Aid each year. Each annual event has a unique theme and has been held both on and off campus. The photos on this page are from the April 2024 Club WIS: Celebremos! event held at the Organization of American States in downtown Washington, DC. Attendees raised over $500,000 for financial aid while enjoying a truly memorable evening!

Annual Fund

ANNUAL FUND

ANNUAL FUND CO-CHAIRS

ANNUAL FUND FAQS

WIS GIVING DAYS

FUNDRAISER FOR FINANCIAL AID

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