Walnut Hill School for the Arts Impact Report 2020–2021

IMPACT REPORT 2020 – 2021

October 2021

Dear Friends, As we embark upon a new academic year here at Walnut Hill School for the Arts, I want to convey our gratitude for your past and present support of our beloved School. Your investment in our mission means the world to us and our students as we move forward as a community after a uniquely difficult year and a half. Thanks to the support of alumni, families, friends, faculty, staff, and volunteers, we are able to tackle this new year with creativity, passion, and hope for the future. We are eternally grateful for your partnership and friendship as we continue to pursue our mission of educating and training creative and intellectually curious young artists to make an enduring impact in the world.

As a nonprofit institution, tuition revenue only makes up a portion of our full scope of expenses. As a result, the School uses various sources to meet our needs, relying on income from our endowment, auxiliary programs, and gifts from donors. In this report, you’ll find more detail about our operating activities, learn the impact of your financial support, and explore the Walnut Hill experience through the lens of three community members: a longtime donor, a legacy donor, and an alum whose Walnut Hill scholarship paved the way for a fulfilling career in the arts, as well as in the world of philanthropy.

I hope you will enjoy reviewing this information, and if you have any questions about this report, please do not hesitate to contact me at tfossey@walnuthillarts.org or 508.650.5019. I would be happy to speak with you.

With our entire student body back on campus for the first time since early March 2020, I look forward to a year filled with art, in-person performances and showcases, and other opportunities to come together. The role you have played in our School reaching this point cannot be overstated. Your gift makes a real difference here on the Hill, and in the lives of our students. Once again, thank you for your enduring partnership and support.

Warmly,

Tobey Fossey Chief Development Officer Walnut Hill School for the Arts

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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

7th Annual Walnut Hill Telethon: Hearts for the Hill Telethon is always a highlight of the year, serving as a moment to Give Day collectively celebrate Walnut Hill, and traditionally occurring in December On May 4, we celebrated our yearly before students leave for Winter Give Day, a day for our School Break. Last year’s unconventional community to support our Annual schedule led us to move the big event Fund and celebrate what makes our to Valentine’s Day, which brought School uniquely Walnut Hill. We were some much-needed light and warmth honored to receive gifts from more into a dark and cold winter season in than 230 students, alumni, parents, New England! The date of the show friends, and faculty — many of whom wasn’t the only break from tradition, gave in honor of their own personal though: we raised funds specifically “Walnut Hill heroes.” Give Day celefor Walnut Hill’s Financial Aid program, brates the act of participation, which and the show was composed of a mix means no dollar goal is set. Each of live and pre-recorded acts, ensuring gift we receive for the Annual Fund, the health and safety of our performregardless of size, is so meaningful to ers. Our amazing host, performer us. These funds truly power all aspects Justin Showell ’15, joined us live from of our School, including our people, his apartment in Brooklyn, New York, our places and our programs. We are to help us raise over $75,000 to so grateful to all those who particisupport our students. Thank you to all pated in this year’s celebration — your who contributed financially, as well as gifts have been put to good use in the to all the students, faculty, staff, and form of updating our facilities, supplefriends who collaborated on this year’s menting financial aid, lighting our show. If you missed the live broadcast, stages, supporting campus traditions you can still watch the Telethon at and events, and so much more. walnuthillarts.org/telethon.

Art Crush Series In a year that was almost completely devoid of public performances and in-person art shows, we had to get creative in order to keep sharing our students’ work with the greater Walnut Hill community. Our solution was the “Art Crush” series, the first iteration of which occurred in February leading up to our Valentine’s Day Telethon — hence the name! The series celebrated all five of our arts majors — Dance, Music, Theater, Visual Art, and Writing, Film & Media Arts — and included conversations with arts department heads, arts faculty, students, and alumni. In the spring, we produced another round of Art Crush events, giving further insight into the artistic lives of our talented Walnuts. The spring Crushes are still viewable on our Vimeo page: vimeo. com/walnuthillschool. If you missed the live versions, we encourage you to check them out! We plan to continue this engaging series this school year, so be sure to stay tuned!

IMPACT REPORT 2021 3

DONOR STORIES

Mary Turner Cattan Mary Cattan grew up in a small town, and when it came time for high school, she recalls: “My parents were wisely looking to expand my horizons.” They gave her several options of boarding schools to choose from, and she made the decision to attend Walnut Hill. “I consider my years at Walnut Hill very good years, where academic life was taken seriously,” Mary writes. “Miss Clark’s English classes were especially challenging and memorable. She was a very quirky, old-fashioned teacher. She challenged me the most to develop writing skills.” Over five decades later, Mary would go on to use those skills to publish her first book, Pilgrimage of Awakening, after her career as a psychotherapist and spiritual director inspired her to write about Murray and Mary Rogers, two pioneers in interfaith dialogue.

Mary says of her time after graduating from high school: “College years and young married years didn’t give me much time or concern for Walnut Hill.” Her interest was renewed when she found out that the School was struggling financially, and she watched from afar as Head of School Earle Batchelder spearheaded the bold transition 4 WALNUT HILL

’60 to an arts mission. “I suppose I was skeptical, as it seemed touch-and-go,” Mary writes. “A school for the arts? Just a ‘Hail Mary’ attempt to stay relevant? Or a real vision for the future?” Despite her early skepticism, she was convinced during a later visit to campus. She remembers “wandering through Highland with memories of study hall and fusty classrooms… marveling that they were now light-filled studios for artists of eclectic media.” She felt a “swell of pride” sitting in the Keiter Center for the Performing Arts, watching Walnut Hill’s talented theater students perform, knowing that “our faithful class president, Jane Keiter, and her husband, Bob, had led with such a prescient gift for the arts.”

Mary has continued to support Walnut Hill throughout her adult life, having made a gift to the Annual Fund for each of the past 35 consecutive years. “My donations, though not large, have expressed my ongoing sense of support and connection,” she writes. “To those who point out that Walnut Hill has changed and isn’t the school we knew, I say ‘thank goodness!’” Mary notes that as she approaches her 80s, her life experience, in addition to knowledge gained through her career as a psychotherapist, tells her that change is essential for institutions to thrive. “Walnut Hill has evolved into something strikingly different, while retaining some of the best of what it’s always offered: its lovely campus, the best of its traditions, its challenging curriculum and dedicated faculty and overseers. The faces of its students look oh, so different, and I rejoice in that!

In some small way, my annual check speaks for me.”

Jennifer Jewiss Jennifer Jewiss was only 13 years old, living in a small town in Connecticut, when an attentive community leader suggested to the family that Jennifer look at Walnut Hill. Unsure of what to expect, Jennifer and her mother decided to make a day trip to see the campus. It was love at first sight. Jennifer recalls feeling the immediate and tangible notion of possibilities and opportunities being opened as soon as she set foot on campus. The School saw the same potential in her. However, the cost of attendance wasn’t within reach for Jennifer’s family.

Daniel Salas Daniel Salas first learned about Walnut Hill from an article written in Pointe magazine when he was a fourth grader in California. Recalls Daniel: “Enamored by the thought of being able to study arts and academics in the same place — a beautiful place at that — I knew Walnut Hill was for me.”

Because of the School’s scholarship program, Daniel was able to make this dream a reality. “Simply put, a Walnut Hill education would’ve been out of reach without my scholarship,” he writes. “Being able to access Walnut Hill’s outstanding academic and arts curriculum changed my life in profound ways, and I feel strongly that I wouldn’t be where I am today had it not been for the School. My family and I will always be grateful to the Walnut Hill donor community for supporting my journey onto the stage and beyond.”

After graduating in 2012, Daniel received degrees in dance and theology from Fordham University in 2016 and danced with Ballet Hispanico, Ailey II, and New York Theatre Ballet

’84 Fortunately, Walnut Hill has long recognized the value of being able to attract talented, bright students despite their ability to afford the total tuition. With a full four-year scholarship in hand, Jennifer was able to board at the School until her graduation in 1984.

The generosity of the School and their belief in her inspired Jennifer to leave a planned gift in the form of a bequest. “I was always so grateful for the opportunity that I was given. It was never a question that I would give back,” she says.

Student scholarships are a popular option for planned gifts. Currently, 1 out of 3 students can only attend because they receive some amount of financial support.

If you are considering a planned gift in support of scholarships, Jennifer offers this insight: “It’s hard to even imagine the magnitude of the impact your gift can have.”

’12 before and after graduation. From there, he received a master of science in nonprofit management from Columbia University in 2019 and pivoted to a career in philanthropy.

“I was inspired to begin working to expand philanthropic investments in the arts so that artists could continue challenging and nourishing the human spirit,” Daniel reflects.

“I recently joined the Natural Resources Defense Council, where I now advise individuals, family offices, and organizations working to address the climate crisis domestically and abroad. I also teach part-time in Columbia University’s nonprofit management master’s program. I can’t help but think that my interest in philanthropy began because I benefited from a scholarship at Walnut Hill.”

Daniel continues: “While I don’t directly work in the arts anymore, they still — and will always — play a critical role in my life. Art continues to be a source of joy and helps me cope with all that is going on in our world. I’m lucky to live near Lincoln Center in New York and enjoy attending performances there as often as possible — especially when there are Walnut Hill alums in them!” He credits his dance education with cultivating his “discipline and work ethic” as well as providing “a worldview that values collaboration and cooperation.” Daniel remains connected to the School, and cherishes close friendships that have endured since his high school days. He notes, “I’m proud to say that a Walnut Hill education has been my greatest investment.”

IMPACT REPORT 2021 5

CHARITABLE GIVING Total for 2020 ­– 2021 2%

20%

20% 32%

69%

5%

Your Support

BY FUND

Your Support

BY SOURCE

6% 22%

24%

Capital / Project Specific

Alumni

Friends

Endowment

Current Parents

Other

Scholarship Fund

Parents of Alumni

Annual Fund

UNRESTRICTED (ANNUAL

CAPITAL / PROJECT

FUND) | $935,010

SPECIFIC | $279,079

•

667 Annual Fund Gifts

•

Keiter Lighting Upgrade

•

Give Day Gifts = $35,867

•

Summer Concert Series

•

84% of Annual Fund gifts were under $1,000

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ENDOWMENT | $74,444 • •

General Scholarship $50,000

•

Joanna Rappaport ’96

SCHOLARSHIP FUND | $75,676 •

‘Hearts for the Hill’ Telethon

•

99 student recipients

Catherine Nelson Nevius Fund $6,000

Award $5,000 •

Class of 1966 Scholarship Fund $5,200

REVENUE & EXPENSES For 2020 – 2021 As Percentage of the Operating Budget

1%

1%

5%

8%

2%

Tuition & Fees Other Income Annual Fund Restricted Contributions Used 84%

Auxiliary Program Income Loan Forgiveness (PPP Loan)

83%

2% 1%

Compensation

19%

Administrative Auxiliary Program 42%

7%

Financial Aid Facilities Instructional & Student Support

11%

Interest Expense 18%

IMPACT REPORT 2021 7

ENDOWMENT FUNDS An endowment fund is a permanent, self-sustaining source of funding that many nonprofits use as a reliable revenue source. Endowment funds are critical for sustaining our School into the future, and we are grateful to the many people who have contributed to our strong foundation. Walnut Hill has many different funds that support all aspects of the School, including scholarships, buildings, programs, and general use. For a full list of our endowed funds, please contact Tobey Fossey at tfossey@walnuthillarts.org.

AS OF JUNE 30, 2021, WALNUT HILL’S TOTAL ENDOWMENT WAS VALUED AT $16,750,624.

$20,000,000

Scholarships

$5,722,478

General Use

$5,340,499

Board Designated

$4,572,653

Program

$853,487

Buildings

$261,507

$18,000,000 $16,000,000 $14,000,000 $12,000,000 $10,000,000 $8,000,000 $6,000,000 $4,000,000 $2,000,000 $0

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Endowment

Endowment Per Student

$16,750,624

AS COMPARED TO NATIONAL AVERAGES

2%

$117,847 $120,000

5%

$100,000

$89,233

$80,000 34%

27% $60,000

$46,066

$40,000 $20,000 32%

$0

Board Designated

Buildings

Walnut Hill School for the Arts

General Use

Program

Northeast Boarding Schools Average*

Financial Aid

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All Boarding Schools with 200-300 Students Average*

*Source: DASL Databook 2020–2021

ELLISON CIRCLE HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT,

I wish I could do more for Walnut Hill?

If so, then we invite you to consider a legacy gift. Legacy gift is a term used to describe gifts that are arranged while you are living, but that most often take effect after your death. Legacy gifts include donations made through your will, a living trust, a retirement plan, or a life insurance policy.

Once you commit to a legacy gift, you will become part of The Ellison Circle — an honorary association of individuals whose legacy gifts have already been received or someday will accrue to Walnut Hill. It was established in 1992 with a legacy gift from Beatrice J. Edgerly Ellison, who was in the Walnut Hill Class of 1911. There are currently 217 individuals who have chosen to honor the School with this type of gift.

While there are pragmatic tax advantages to leaving a gift to Walnut Hill in your estate plans, the greater advantage is that you can leave a lasting legacy that will make a difference for generations to come at Walnut Hill.

We would be honored to talk with you about how you can arrange this type of gift. Such gifts are often easy to do, with no substantial costs, and are easily modified.

Furthermore, you can direct your gift to different aspects of the School — such as toward a specific scholarship or department.

If you want to learn more, please contact: ellison@walnuthillarts.org.

IMPACT REPORT 2021 9

THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS

We couldn’t talk about impact without including the many volunteers who donate their time and wisdom to help Walnut Hill be successful. We are grateful to these dedicated helpers who assist in making Walnut Hill a fabulous community for our students, parents, alumni, faculty, and friends.

The Walnut Hill Family Association 2020 – 2021 The WHFA is a parent-to-parent resource whose goal is to keep the parents of our Walnuts connected, even when they are spread across the world. We are grateful to this group of parents who helped bring us together:

Patty Kelly P’22, Co-Chair Kim Larsson P’21, Co-Chair Sara Resnick P’21 Shameika Vailes P’24 Kathy Song P’24 Karyn Lewis P’22

The Walnut Hill Alumni Association This group seeks to help alumni stay connected with one another and with the School. All those who attended Walnut Hill are automatically a member of the Association. The volunteers listed below, who were particularly dedicated to the Alumni Association’s mission, help to renew and strengthen relationships while building volunteer and financial support for Walnut Hill.

Lola Fortmiller Baldwin ’51 Marcia Hunter Matthews ’63 Ruth Rothseid ’70 Sarah Morrison Cail ’76 Margaret Kemp ’81 Eve Larner ’86 Tracy MacDonald ’87 Sara Sessions Naughton ’87 Jennifer Wells ’87 Liberty Bradford ’88 Benny Ibarra de Llano ’89, P’17/’21 Luke Rothschild ’89 Adam Wells ’90

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Sara Denslow-Gonzalez Downing ’93 Courtney Greene Tomaselli ’94 John Brooks ’97 Matthew Akitani ’00 Alessandra Bono Horton ’00 Joshua Holden ’01 Katie Crowley ’06 Leila Alhamoodah ’08 Eric Herbst ’09 Megan Wright ’09 Harper Watters ’10 Evangeline Delgado ’11 Amelia Sturt-Dilley ’11 Daniel Salas ’12 Madison Vest ’13 Dempsey Schott ’14 Justin Showell ’15 Shannon Harkins ’18 Noah Kelly ’19 Nomzamo Mlengana ’19 Ivan Schwieger ’19 Melissa Cassel, P’19, faculty advisor

WAYS TO SUPPORT WALNUT HILL

Online With your Visa, Mastercard, or American Express credit card, you can make a secure gift to Walnut Hill online at giving.walnuthillarts.org.

Appreciated Stock or Wire Transfers Contact Tobey Fossey, Chief Development Officer, at tfossey@walnuthillarts.org or 508.650.5019 for our Merrill Lynch account information or transfer instructions.

Matching Gifts Ask your employer if they can match your donation and maximize your gift.

Make a Pledge A pledge is an intention that is paid off before the end of the fiscal year on June 30, or over several fiscal years for larger gifts.

Monthly Gifts A monthly gift is the easiest way to provide consistent support. You only need to set it up once and we do the rest!

Planned Gifts Instead of a cash donation, you can donate your assets through a variety of vehicles. We can work with you to identify the plan that will be the best fit for you and your family.

IMPACT REPORT 2021 11

A Glimpse of Walnut Hill Today.

280

31

17

34%

73%

$39,673

Students are enrolled for the 2021–2022 year

Countries are represented in our student body

Of students are boarders, and 27% are day students

U.S. States are represented in our student body

Of students receive financial aid

Is the average financial aid award

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