Annual Giving Fund

Contribute to the Annual Giving Fund

The Waldorf School of San Diego depends on financial support from parents, alumni, faculty, staff, grandparents, and friends to sustain and build our programs, provide at least 30% of our students with need-based tuition adjustment, and positively impact our community. The Annual Fund touches every aspect of our school and allows us to say “yes” to new opportunities ensuring that children today and generations to come can enjoy Waldorf education – head, hands, and heart. 

Please consider making a gift to the Waldorf School of San Diego in the following ways:

      • Donate a Cash Gift to the Annual Fund Online: Any gift, no matter how big or small, will make a huge difference to advance our mission. Click here to make a donation or mail a check to the Waldorf School of San Diego, 3547 Altadena Avenue, San Diego, CA 92105.
      • Donate a Non-Cash Gift: There are many ways to give back that can benefit you as well. Gifts from your IRA, transferring stocks, or giving from a Donor Advised Fund are ways to consider donating today. Contact us and click here
      • Create a Legacy with the Waldorf School of San Diego: We known that cash donations might not be right for everyone, but giving a gift in your will to create a legacy with the Waldorf School of San Diego is a powerful commitment to our work and mission for generations to come. You can support The Waldorf School of San Diego​ forever without paying a cent today using this​ ​free will-writing tool​. It’s an easy way to protect the people and causes you care about the most and help The Waldorf School of San Diego​. You can also use this tool to help get your affairs in order before speaking with an attorney. For a supportive conversation about creating a legacy gift please reach out to our Development Team at development@waldorfsandiego.org.
      • Employer Match and Workplace Giving: Through corporate gift matching, some employers will match your gift to the Waldorf School of San Diego. In addition, some companies offer a payroll deduction plan. Please talk to your human resource department.
      • Sustainer Gifts: Make a difference, the whole year long and make a consistent, monthly gift by becoming a Sustainer today. 
      • For a conversation about other ways to make a gift, please contact development@waldorfsandiego.org.
Giving
Common questions
What is the Annual Giving Fund?

The Annual Fund is an ongoing fundraising effort. Annual Fund dollars are used exclusively to support the Waldorf School of San Diego’s operating budget and strategic school initiatives. Like other independent schools, we use an annual appeal to help bridge the gap between income and expenditures. Although there are other opportunities to express your support throughout the year, the Annual Fund is when we hope that everyone will make a gift.

Why does participation matter?

When we look beyond our school for support, consistent engagement and participation from our whole community – both past and present – is a vital key indicator to foundations and corporate donors. When we say that every gift counts, we mean it. The more parents, teachers, alumni, and friends engage in annual giving each year, the greater the message we send about Waldorf education: that those who know the school best believe in what we do.

Do Other Schools Ask Parents to Give on Top of Tuition?

While tuition levels vary, all independent schools supplement operating expenses with charitable gifts. Approximately 24% of our school’s operating expenses are funded by charitable gifts.

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.

How Much of a Difference Can My Gift Really Make?

When we say every gift counts, we mean it! While you may not think your gift will make a difference, consider that when private foundations determine whether or not to support the Waldorf School of San Diego, they ask us “How many of your parents and alumni families give?” Before they choose to support us, they want to be sure that we work to support ourselves. The more parents, alumni, and friends of the school engage in annual giving each year, the greater the message we send about Waldorf education: that those who know the school best believe in what we do.

How Much Should I Give?

No gift is too small and every gift is appreciated. While our school relies on donors who can make significant gifts, we also rely on hundreds of individuals who make gifts at every level.

What is considered a Leadership Gift?

While the Waldorf School of San Diego relies on gifts of all sizes, leadership gifts are particularly critical to our financial sustainability. We consider Leadership Gifts to be a gift of $1,000 or above.

What is the Fund-a-Need?

A gift to Fund-A-Need is an unrestricted designation of the Annual Fund and helps families through our school’s need-based tuition adjustment program.

What is the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fund?

A gift to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fund is considered an Annual Fund contribution. Donations to this Fund are unrestricted funds, allowing our school to expand and evolve diversity, equity, and inclusion programming and services.

Our school is deeply committed to DEI, including antiracism, and making new strides in these areas every day. While our core DEI work is not contingent upon receiving gifts to this Fund, such gifts will allow us to enhance, deepen, and accelerate our initiatives, including teacher and staff training.

To learn more about our work in this area, please visit the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion page on our website.

What is the Best Method for Making a Gift?

Checks or cash offer the best value to the school as we are not charged fees on transactions. However, any gift method is truly appreciated.

Can I pledge a Gift Now and Pay Later?

Yes. A pledge is a commitment to make a financial gift within a specified time. You can pledge now and make a gift by the end of the fiscal year, June 30th. You can also break your gift into monthly installments by becoming a sustainer.

Can I Make a Sustaining Gift Over the Course of a Year?

We recognize that it can be difficult to allocate a lump sum donation. Please consider becoming a monthly sustainer, and make an ongoing monthly gift that allows you to spread your gift throughout the year. Sustaining gifts help the school to plan for future costs, and ensure that we can step up to unexpected challenges, no matter the time of year. You can become a sustainer by clicking the Donate button and following the instructions.

What is the Waldorf School of San Diego Non-Profit Status?

The Waldorf School of San Diego is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and every gift to the Waldorf School of San Diego is 100% tax-deductible. Our official registered name is The Association for Waldorf Education in San Diego.

Donation Form