• GIVE FROM THE HEART

    GIVE WHAT YOU CAN

WSMS GIVES FUNDRAISING FAQ

West Side Montessori School is a 501(c)(3) organization and public charity. Gifts to the Annual Fund, Growth Campaign, and Fall Festival are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. 

Like all nonprofit independent schools, we rely on a combination of tuition revenue, income on reserve funds, and charitable gifts from parents, alumni, and friends to support our operations and priorities. We also benefit from revenue generated through our Teacher Education Program (WSMS-TEP). None of these sources alone is enough to deliver the quality of early childhood education WSMS is known for, while also ensuring the school’s long-term stability.
As one WSMS parent put it: “Tuition makes the school as good as it has been, while fundraising helps the school achieve something even greater; tuition is what we ‘have to pay,’ but fundraising represents what we love to contribute.”

All gifts are listed in our Annual Report, but you may request that your gift remain anonymous when donating via our online donation forms or by emailing Allison Kohrs at wsmsgives@wsmsnyc.org.

The Annual Fund provides an opportunity for the WSMS community to come together to support the school and help fill the gap between revenue and operating expenses. It runs year-round, July 1 to June 30.

Our goal is 100% participation from our parent community. Achieving the highest possible participation rate builds a strong culture of giving, in which everyone shares, and it sends a powerful message to prospective families and donors that our mission is worthy of their support. Relying on just a few large donors, while other families don’t participate, isn’t consistent with the spirit of our school or a sustainable strategy. Last year, we achieved a record 95% participation rate and maintained 100% participation from the Board of Trustees. 

Gifts are made per family, regardless of how many children you have enrolled, and participation is counted for each of your children’s classes.

Gifts to the Annual Fund can be designated to the following, selected on the online donation form or noted on the form of donation:
– Area of Greatest Need (unrestricted funds to be used where needed)
– Financial Aid Program
– Teacher Professional Development and Salaries
– WSMS-TEP scholarship (Teacher Education Program)

No. There’s no minimum contribution required from anyone. The motto of WSMS Gives is “Give from the Heart, Give What You Can.” The warmth and generosity of our community are defining characteristics of WSMS. Whatever form your support takes — monetary gifts, gifts in kind, or contributions of time and talent — each gift, each donor, and each volunteer is vital to sustaining and enhancing the exceptional education we offer.

  • $100 buys books for the library or a classroom
  • $1,000 sends one WSMS teacher to the annual American Montessori Society Conference
  • $5,000 pays for a month of Early Childhood Summer Vacation school for one LAP child
  • $8,950 trains one WSMS teacher in Early Childhood Montessori education at WSMS-TEP

We welcome contributions at any time of the year. However, for planning purposes, it is preferable that we receive funds as early in the school year as possible. It is also important to note that the fiscal year-end (as well as the school year-end) at WSMS is June 30th, not December 31st.

  • The design and installation of a new traverse climbing wall in our gym in 2019

  • Expanding our home to include beautiful renovated classroom space at 302 West 91st Street for our Twos Program in 2018

  • Providing guitar lessons for teachers to expand their repertoires in 2016

  • The comprehensive renovation of the gym in 2015

  • Hiring an expert on Dual Language Learners in 2015 who is working with teachers to enhance their support of children whose family language is other than English

  • The Kindness Curriculum that was designed and launched by former WSMS teacher Cara Zelas in 2015

  • A series of workshops in partnership with the Network for Schools that Heal that teachers attended in 2014

  • Hiring a nutritionist who created healthy snack and meal options for WSMS children in 2013

  • The creation of our new Parents Room/Library in 2011

  • The installation of new Snug Play equipment in our rooftop play space in 2011

  • The creation of a faculty incentive program for excellence in teaching in 2011

  • The “green” renovation of our eight classrooms and our kitchen in 2009

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