Williamsburg Montessori School is a non-profit organization that relies on the generosity of parents, friends and members of the wider community to ensure the financial well-being of the School. Funds raised through annual giving support professional development for faculty, enrichment opportunities for our students, physical plant improvements, and the acquisition of new classroom materials.
Ways to Give
School Fundraisers
The Fund for WMS is our top fundraising priority, supporting school programs and services and covering the costs unmet by tuition alone.
Cash Donations
Writing a check to the Fund for WMS is the easiest way to make a gift. Gifts of cash are fully deductible up to 50% of your adjusted gross income.
Stock Transfers
Gifts of stock are often the most beneficial for donors. Transferring appreciated securities directly to a non-profit can eliminate taxes on gains.
A Gift from Your IRA
The Pension Protection Act allows donors age 70 1/2 or older to make contributions from their IRA without paying income tax.
Real Estate Gifts
Gifts of property can enable donors to avoid sizable capital gains taxes. Consider a real estate property donation to WMS.
Life Income Gifts
Establishing a “charitable remainder annuity trust” can be an excellent options for donors considering a major gift.
Honor a Montessorian
To attend a Montessori School is to live and learn under the expert, caring guidance of trained educators. Each of us who has had the privilege of working with a Montessori educator knows first-hand the unique gifts these professionals bring to their interactions with children. They are our role models, our mentors, our friends, our family. They deserve our appreciation.
Like so many independent schools, tuition income represents only a portion of the expenses involved in maintaining a truly excellent program. Making a gift to a classroom provides both gratification to a teacher who knows he/she is offering as rich an environment as possible, but also offers a child the thrill of discovering something new.
The Honor a Montessorian program offers you the opportunity to recognize those individuals whose commitment makes a difference in our children’s lives each day by presenting a gift to the classroom. In honoring our teachers and the staff who support them, you are, in effect, giving twice: the recognition itself is a deeply meaningful gesture, and the legacy of giving new learning materials to children is immeasurable.
School Fundraisers
The Annual Fund for WMS
The Fund for WMS is our top fundraising priority, supporting school programs and services and covering the hard costs that tuition alone does not cover. Our annual fund pledge drive is held in the fall–our goal being 100% participation from all Montessori families. Contributions allow the school to allocate funds where they are needed most and help WMS continue its unique educational mission. The Fund is a vital resource in supporting:
- updated classroom materials
- enrichment activities
- field trips
- before and after school programs
- capital maintenance
- professional development
Your gift, no matter how large or small, is vitally important in helping WMS reach its goal.
WMS Spring Auction
Held annually in the Spring, the WMS Auction is our largest fundraiser and offers fun-filled activities for WMS families and friends. The annual auction has, on occasion, included festivities during the day such as a silent auction, a bake sale, and children’s crafts and activities. The evening portion of the Auction is a catered affair that features live music, a silent auction, and the highly anticipated live auction in which hot-ticket items (such as the class art projects!) are sold to the highest bidder. The WMS Auction draws great interest from the community as well due largely to the generously donated items from local and regional businesses.
Spirit Store
Looking for a little something to show your school spirit? Have we got a deal for you! Call the school office for more details… car bumper magnets, cookbooks, notepads, apparel and more! All proceeds support the WMS.
Cash Gifts
Writing a check to the Fund for WMS is the easiest way to make a gift. Gifts of cash are fully deductible up to 50% of your adjusted gross income. Many employers offer matching programs for charitable giving. If your company has a matching program, please enclose the form along with your check. Checks can be made out to “The Fund for WMS” and mailed to: 4200 Longhill Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188.
Stock Transfers
Because of the tax benefits, gifts of stock are often the most beneficial for donors. Transferring appreciated securities directly to a non-profit can eliminate taxes on gains. In addition, donors receive an income tax deduction for the full market value of the stock at the time of the gift. If you wish to make a gift of stock, please contact WMS at 757-565-0977 and we will provide detailed instructions on how to make the transfer.
A Gift from Your IRA
The Pension Protection Act allows donors age 70 1/2 or older to make contributions from their Individual Retirement Account without paying income tax. The key provisions of this law are as follows:
- You may contribute up to $100,000 from your IRA to publicly supported charities like WMS.
- The transfer must be made directly to WMS from your IRA. You cannot withdraw funds and then write a check to the school.
- You must be 70 1/2 at the time of the gift.
- You may not receive any benefits in exchange for the gift.
Your IRA administrator will need the following information about WMS in order to make the transfer:
- Our legal name is “Williamsburg Montessori School”.
- We are a qualified charitable organization under the Pension Protection Act as described in Section 170(b)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- Our tax identification number.
- Our mailing address is: Williamsburg Montessori School, 4200 Longhill Road, Williamsburg, Virginia 23188
Real Estate Gifts
Gifts of property can also enable donors to avoid sizable capital gains taxes.
Life Income Gifts
Establishing a “charitable remainder annuity trust” can be an excellent options for donors considering a major gift. Trusts of this kind allow an annual return of 5% or greater, which can be paid to you or a loved one for life, after which the assets would be distributed to WMS.
