The PWS Annual Fund
To celebrate 100 years of Waldorf Education, this year's Annual Fund campaign is Giving Together, with a fundraising goal of $175,000 with 100% participation from parents, employees and the Board of Trustees.
Pasadena Waldorf School's Annual Fund campaign closes the gap between tuition and operating costs, and supports virtually every area of school life. We depend on donations to the Annual Fund to support our music, art, movement, foreign language programs, classroom supplies, class plays, festivals, and tuition assistance.
Contributions range in size from $100 to $100,000 and come from current parents as well as faculty, board members, past parents, grandparents, alumni, businesses, corporate matches to employee contributions, and family foundations. Donations can be made at one time or on a weekly or monthly basis.
As Pasadena Waldorf School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, donations to the school are tax deductible.
2019/20 Giving Levels
Waldorf 100 Circle $10,000+ PWS 40 Circle $5001-$9999
Angel Circle $2501-$5000 Deodar Circle $1001-$2500
Friends Circle $501-$1000 Altadena Circle Up to $499
Waldorf 100 Circle: 4 tickets to the PWS Leadership Circle Reception, 4 Spring Gala tickets, reserved seating for 4 & parking at Festival of Light, $100 in Elves' Faire tickets, 3 Squirrel's Nest coffee cards, 4 Pasadena Waldorf School shirts, 2 Pasadena Waldorf School hats
PWS40 Circle: 2 tickets to the PWS Leadership Circle Reception, 2 Spring Gala tickets, reserved seating for 4 & parking at Festival of Light, $100 in Elves' Faire tickets, 3 Squirrel's Nest coffee cards, 2 Pasadena Waldorf School shirts, 1 Pasadena Waldorf School hat
Angel Circle: Reserved seating for 2 & parking at Festival of Light, $100 in Elves' Faire tickets, 3 Squirrel's Nest coffee cards, 2 Pasadena Waldorf School shirts
Deodar Circle: $50 in Elves' Faire tickets, 1 Pasadena Waldorf School shirt, 2 Squirrel's Nest coffee cards
Friends Circle: 1 Pasadena Waldorf School shirt, 1 Squirrel's Nest coffee card
Frequent Asked Questions
What is the Annual Giving campaign?
The Annual Giving campaign is a yearly direct appeal to our community of parents, faculty, staff, trustees, grandparents, alumni, alumni parents, and friends of PWS for financial contributions in support of the school's day-to-day operating budget. It is a way to sustain the highest functionality of the school while keeping tuition increases as minimal as possible. Tuition is not tax-deductible, but as Pasadena Waldorf School is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit independent school, gifts to the Annual Fund are tax-deductible.
What are the major components of the school's operating budget?
The majority of the school's operating budget is spent on salaries and benefits. The remaining is spent on facilities, program expenses, class supplies and activities, and general operating costs. The Board of Trustees strives to run the school as lean as possible without compromising the integrity of the program.
Why is Annual Giving necessary to an Independent School?
Tuition income covers most of our operating expenses. The remainder must be funded through other sources, which for most independent schools is the purpose of the annual fund. Each of our attending families is asked to make a donation every year to the Annual Giving Campaign in addition to paying tuition, to help close this gap. The Annual Giving campaign is the single most important component of our Giving Program. If a family had to choose one type of giving over another, hands down we would encourage Annual Giving to be their choice.
We design our own program and curriculum, operate without financial support from federal or state government agencies, and are self-governed by our Board of Trustees and College of Teachers. Unlike public schools, which are funded by tax dollars, PWS relies solely on revenue from tuition and philanthropic gifts to meet operating expenses.
Why not just raise tuition?
Our school came into being because of an extremely generous gift. Philanthropy is part of our soul and our culture. By keeping tuition as reasonable as possible, we attract an economically diverse student population, which makes for a richer education for all our children. Remember, gifts to the Annual Giving campaign are fully tax-deductible, tuition is not.
Are there other fundraising activities besides Annual Giving?
Yes, in addition to the Annual Giving campaign, the school has several initiatives and events to help close the yearly budget gap. These include our Annual Spring Event (usually a Gala), the Elves’ Faire, and our Passive Giving Program.
Who supports Annual Giving?
Every segment of the school community! The Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, parents, grandparents, alumni parents, alumni, and friends. We strive for 100% participation as a testament to our community's dedication and indication of how much they value this education for their children.
Why is participation important?
The school's financial strength is dependent upon the participation of all members of its constituency. Your participation generates enthusiasm and encourages others to join you. It is also a key indicator to foundation and corporate donors that we have consistent support from those we serve, both past and present. Last year with the help of high parent participation, we received corporate donations and three grants for our programming and facilities. When 100% of the people who benefit from our organization also care enough to donate, this sends a strong message helping us to obtain outside grants and gifts.
How much should I give?
An artistically and academically rich education is expensive. We ask each family to look into their heart and give to their family's best ability. Some families truly cannot afford to give that much, yet others in the community are blessed with the means to contribute more. Many families make their gift in monthly installments to maximise your contribution over time.
Please consider making your child’s education and school your top philanthropic priority and be as generous as you can. We are deeply grateful for gifts of all sizes.
Does this apply to me if I receive tuition assistance?
Yes - we strive for 100% participation from our entire parent body, regardless of the size of the gift. Every gift counts. Please give a gift that is meaningful to you.
Do employers, corporations and foundations support Annual Giving?
Corporations typically contribute to independent schools by offering matching gifts to their employees' contributions. Many PWS families are able to double their personal contributions through such employee match programs. Check with your employer to see if they have a matching policy. If they do, we will do whatever is necessary to help obtain the gift.
Foundations general give to Annual Giving appeals when there is a direct personal connection to the organization. Usually they are more interested in specific projects that are within their funding guidelines and advance their specific area of interest. If you have a family foundation or a relationship with a foundation that may be a good fit for PWS, please contact Leslie Stevens, PWS Development Officer at lstevens@pasadenawaldorf.org
Can I donate stock to Annual Giving?
The school welcomes gifts of appreciated stock. If you have been fortunate enough to recognize some substantial capital gains, please consider donating your appreciated stock to the school’s Annual Giving fund. It’s a convenient way to make a meaningful contribution while recognizing some potential year-end tax planning benefits. please contact Leslie Stevens, PWS Development Officer at lstevens@pasadenawaldorf.org for details on how to donate stock.
Our Commitment to Our Donors
We will not sell, share or trade our donors' names or personal information with any other entity, nor send mailings to our donors on behalf of other organizations. This policy applies to all information received by Pasadena Waldorf School, both online and offline, as well as any electronic, written, or oral communications. To the extent any donations are processed through a third-party service provider, our donors’ information will only be used for purposes necessary to process the donation.
Pasadena Waldorf School will fully examine all requests for refund and endeavor to ensure that genuine errors are rectified, however we are under no obligation to give refunds and the decision on refunds will be at Pasadena Waldorf School’s discretion.
To request a refund, email development@pasadenawaldorf.org or call 626-765-9978 x30. Refunds are returned using the original method of payment. If you made your donation by credit card, your refund will be credited to that same credit card.
If an error has been made by Pasadena Waldorf School, we will issue a refund once we are notified of the error.