Supporting Walker

Wonder of Walker

Annual Fund

As is the case at most independent schools across the nation tuition does not cover the entire cost associated with a private education. The same holds true here at Walker. The Annual Fund helps bridge the gap between Walker’s income (tuition) and the actual cost of operating the school.

Specifically, Annual Fund contributions allow the school to attract and retain the best teachers, maintain small class sizes, provide state-of-the-art technology and maintain and improve the facilities and programs that benefit every Walker student. They also provide support for the academic, artistic and athletic programs that our students deserve and our parents expect from a Walker education.

High rates of parent participation continue to play a critical role in our ability to receive funding from foundations and corporations. These organizations look closely at the level of support from our own community of parents, grandparents, trustees, alumni, faculty and staff before they consider funding our efforts. Because Walker consistently maintains a high level of parent participation (80%+) we have been able to secure $3.9 million in foundation grants in the last five years alone.

FAQ

Q

My family already pays tuition. Why is a gift to the Annual Fund needed as well?

A

It is a reality not just at Walker but at every other independent school in the nation: Tuition alone cannot fund the entire cost associated with a private education. Additional dollars must be raised in order to fund special projects and secure resources needed to ensure a Walker education remains of the highest caliber. Annual Fund contributions help provide everything from teacher salaries to technology equipment, from library books to light bulbs. By raising funds each year, the school is able to reduce stress on the operating budget which helps keep tuition as low as possible. In short, the Annual Fund helps bridge the gap between income and the actual cost of operating the school.

Q

What projects and resources do Annual Fund contributions support?

A

Every dollar from the Annual Fund is used to make campus-wide improvements and enhancements that directly benefit your child. Specifically, the annual fund provides funding for:

  • Competitive faculty and staff salaries so we can attract and retain the best and brightest educators at all four divisions
  • State-of-the-art classroom technology, including laptops, projectors, audio/visual equipment, software and digital media.
  • Campus-wide security systems and safety upgrades
  • Renovations for our media centers and other high-traffic facilities used by our entire student body.
  • Acquisition of land for current campus enhancements and for the future expansion of our academic, art, and athletic facilities

Q

You stress the need for a high level of participation in the Annual Fund, especially among parents. Why is this so critical?

A

High participation rates among members of our Walker community are a vote of confidence, a sign that our parents and others invest in their children’s welfare and support the school’s mission. This percentage has a direct impact on gifts from outside sources like foundations. High rates of participation are required by these organizations before they will consider grant requests.

In fact, high rates of parent participation have been instrumental in helping the school secure $3.3 million in grant funds – in just the last five years alone – for a variety of major projects including land acquisition and facility enhancements

Q

How much of a difference can my gift make, really?

A

The Walker School has many fewer supporters than a university or large charity does. Because the overall number who will give is small but the need is large, every gift counts more. That’s why we ask every one of our 4,000 Walker family members – parents, grandparents, trustees, alumni and parents of alumni, and current and retired faculty and staff – to participate in the Annual Fund drive.

Your child benefits everyday from the generous annual gifts of others, both past and present. Your continued support of the Annual Fund enables Walker to continue to offer a dynamic educational environment for every student. Please join us in securing the future of Walker by making your gift today.