Annual Fund

The Annual Fund is the cornerstone of Wesleyan's Development program and plays a critical role in helping Wesleyan live up to its mission to be a Christian school of academic excellence. Gifts to the Annual Fund from parents, grandparents, friends, faculty, staff and alumni are used to supplement tuition that only covers approximately 90% of the true cost of a Wesleyan education. Your donation to the Annual Fund each year helps provide many direct benefits for our students and faculty.

The Annual Fund Helps Inside the Classroom by:

  • Allowing Wesleyan to maintain smaller class sizes so every child has an opportunity to participate more fully and receive more individualized instruction.
  • Helping to attract and retain high quality and experienced educators with an increasingly competitive compensation package.
  • Purchasing instructional materials and supplies for classrooms, labs and libraries.
  • Sending faculty to professional development workshops and seminars so they can bring valuable teaching techniques back to the classroom.

The Annual Fund Helps Outside the Classroom by:

  • Funding drama productions, choral and band concerts, art exhibits and other needs of the fine arts department that could otherwise go unfunded.
  • Augmenting the school's physical education program by providing more up-to-date equipment.

The Annual Fund Enriches Student Life by:

  • Providing critical money for field trips like the 1st grade train trip to Alabama, and the 6th grade field trip to Tremont.
  • Underwriting the high school class retreats that teach Christian values and student leadership at each grade level.

The Annual Fund Helps Attract Community Support:

Foundations and other friends of Wesleyan look first at the voluntary support provided by Wesleyan parents as a key factor in their decision to provide their own support. Strong continued participation by all Wesleyan parents, grandparents, alumni, and faculty through contributions to the Annual Fund will continue to be a critical step in gaining their support in the future.

FAQ

Q

Why doesn't the school simply raise tuition and do away with the Annual Fund?

A

By augmenting tuition with Annual Fund Donations, we can keep tuition costs more affordable for more families. Gifts in the higher-level memberships offer the opportunity for families to support the school more fully. And, again, voluntary support is a primary indicator of any school's health. The Annual Fund is an important way families show renewed support every year.

Q

How do Annual Fund gifts differ from Capital and Endowment gifts?

A

The Annual Fund campaign is ongoing. Since its inception, Wesleyan has appealed to the members of its extended family to make an investment on behalf of the school's present and future students with a gift to the Annual Fund. By definition, Annual Fund reserves are unrestricted and are used to fund current operations. The Annual Fund is money the school lives by. The dollars can be allocated where they are needed. Endowment and Capital gifts are strategically important to the financial future and physical growth of the school. Capital gifts fund new facilities and are typically restricted to a specific project. Endowment gifts are invested and held for the long-term interest of the school.

Q

Is my Annual Fund donation tax deductible? Can it be matched by my company? Can I give stock?

A

Your gifts are tax deductible, and many corporations have matching gift programs that will "double" your contribution. Many people choose to give appreciated stock, and therefore avoid capital gains tax. We are delighted to take stock contributions. Please call the Development Office at 770-448-7640 ext. 2255 for more information.

Q

Why do you solicit each year for the Annual Fund?

A

The funds raised in annual giving are generally used within one year of when they are raised, and are used to support the annual operating budget of the school.

Annual Report