Philanthropy at Walker
A Community Partnership
Dear Families, Welcome to The Walker School where magic happens every day! We have a remarkable community where students from age three through high school are offered a challenging yet supportive educational experience. At Walker, meaningful relationships inspire transformative learning, and students are encouraged to share their individual talents in a wide variety of activities. Students are involved not only in the classroom, on the athletic fields, or on the stage, but also beyond our campus in the broader community. In addition to providing a first class academic program and offering a wide variety of programs for our students, we are a large and connected community with abundant opportunities for families who want to be engaged in the life of the school. With this in mind, we have created this brochure to share some of the ways you can become involved and invested in Walker. There are opportunities to share your time, treasure and resources to enrich the lives of our students, teachers and entire community. I hope that you will consider ways to connect with Walker. If you do, we become stronger, and you will enjoy the benefits of being part of a thriving community. Whether your family is considering Walker for the first time, is a recent addition to our community, or has been connected to the school for many years, I hope you find that the information provided in this brochure helps you to make connections with the wide array of opportunities on our vibrant campus. Walker is a great school, and its programs are strengthened by the philanthropic contributions of generous community members. I look forward to engaging with your child and family for years to come! Sincerely,
Carl C. Carlson
Head of School
Parent engagement has been a cornerstone of The Walker School experience since its founding in 1957. Like all independent schools, Walker relies on gifts of time, talent and resources to enrich and enhance our exceptional educational experience. Because every Walker family plays an important role in sustaining our school’s unique sense of family and community, we hope that, in addition to participating in The Walker Fund, you will get involved at Walker. When you volunteer, everyone benefits – your child, the school and you!
Volunteer Opportunities From volunteering in the classroom to helping plan and organize events, there are many ways for Walker families to get involved, spend time on campus and build community with one another while enriching school life and programs. Here are the volunteer organizations and administrative offices that will help connect you to volunteer opportunities:
Walker School Association (WSA)
You are a member of the WSA from the moment you enroll at Walker. The WSA works to strengthen parent involvement at school through volunteer programs and activities that support and enrich the parent, faculty and student connection. There are many opportunities to volunteer and varying levels of time commitments to accommodate your schedule. Opportunities include hosting Faculty/Staff Appreciation Lunches or helping organize events like the Fall Parent Party, Homecoming Fall Festival, and Secret Shop. The WSA also oversees the Parent Ambassador program and hosts grade- and division-level parent education and social events. For more information or to get involved: wsa@thewalkerschool.org
Wolverine Club
The Wolverine Club is our parentvolunteer organization that works to encourage, enhance and support the growth of all Walker athletic programs. Volunteer opportunities to support our Wolverine teams include assisting with concessions, working the gate at home games, hosting pre-game family tailgate events and Walker’s Annual Golf Tournament. For more information or to get involved: wolverineclub@thewalkerschool.org
Patrons of the Arts (POTA)
Walker has a vibrant arts program, and POTA is at the heart of it. This parent organization supports the performing and visual arts by providing ways for you to volunteer at plays, musicals, seasonal performances and student art shows. Opportunities include helping with set decoration for theatre and musical productions, providing dinner for the cast and crew during rehearsals and organizing and hosting the annual POTA arts event. For more information or to get involved: pota@thewalkerschool.org
Development Office
The Development Office has a number of volunteer opportunities that allow families to help support the mission of Walker. Whether it is serving as a grade level representative on The Walker Fund committee, writing notes to thank donors for their support or serving as a volunteer at one of our many special events like Grandparents and Special Friends Day or the Alumni Homecoming Tailgate, there are many meaningful ways to meet other families and get involved.
Admission Office
The Admission Office would love to leverage your knowledge of Walker with prospective families. You can volunteer in the Admission Office and help connect with prospective families interested in a Walker education. Admission volunteers can also assist at events like Open House and school tours. For more information: admission@ thewalkerschool.org
Contact Us! development@ thewalkerschool.org
Giving of your time and talents
Giving Opportunities Like all independent schools, The Walker School relies on a culture of philanthropy to enhance its programs and facilities. Philanthropy plays a critical role in the life of independent schools and is an important piece of the puzzle beyond tuition. Below you will find the many ways that you can invest your charitable dollars in Walker to allow our students, teachers and programs to flourish.
The Walker Fund The Walker Fund is the school’s largest and most important annual fundraising effort. Like all independent schools, tuition does not cover the entire cost of a Walker education. The Walker Fund provides vital resources in support of our academic, arts and athletic programs as well as professional development for our faculty and staff. Tax-deductible contributions to The Walker Fund ensure and enhance the Walker experience for every student, every day.
Georgia Private School Tax Credit Program (Georgia GOAL)
The Georgia Private School Tax Credit Program makes an extraordinary impact on our student body, providing financial aid for highly qualified students with significant financial need. Through the program, state residents, S- and C-corporations, LLCs, partnerships and trusts can redirect a portion of their Georgia tax liability to a Student Scholarship Organization (SSO) in support of financial aid at one or more independent schools of the taxpayer’s choice. When you participate through Georgia GOAL (Walker’s SSO of choice), you receive a 100 percent dollar-for-dollar tax credit to your state income tax bill for the amount of your contribution. For more information or to participate in GOAL: development@ thewalkerschool.org
Wolverine Club Membership & Corporate Sponsorship
The Wolverine Club is open to all families. Annual membership dues starting at $200 provide additional funding for our athletic facilities and teams. Do you own a business you would like to share with the Walker community? If so, consider purchasing a corporate sponsorship that provides various advertising and promotional opportunities for your business.
Walker School Association Auction
Every year the WSA hosts the popular online Walker Spirit Auction that offers one-of-a-kind experiences that can be purchased. Our faculty and staff host a myriad of unique opportunities and fun experiences for Walker students, including after-school parties/events, music jam sessions and experiences like Principal for the Day. Funds from the auction directly support WSA projects and activities that benefit Walker, staff, students and parents.
Patrons of the Arts Night
Each year Patrons of the Arts (POTA) hosts a fundraising event to help support the Fine Arts Program at Walker. Enjoy an evening of performances and exhibits celebrating our program while raising funds to support the Arts Program.
The Walker Golf Tournament
The annual Walker Golf Tournament is a great way to enjoy a day on the course while supporting the Wolverine Athletic Program. Anyone is welcome to participate as a hole sponsor, a team sponsor or as an individual on a team with friends. Proceeds from the event provide financial support for Walker Athletics.
Giving of your financial resources
Frequently Asked Questions What are the expectations for Walker families? Our hope is that you will choose to be fully involved in the life of our school. We realize there are numerous opportunities to give of your time, talent and resources, and we hope you will make Walker a top volunteer and philanthropic priority. We want all families to give their time supporting our community at athletic events and musical performances, to share their talents by volunteering in the classroom and in organizing community-building events or by fundraising with the Development Office. We hope every family will make a gift to The Walker Fund at the level that is right for them.
My family already pays tuition. Why is a gift to The Walker Fund needed as well?
Tuition revenue ensures that we can provide a strong academic program with a variety of extracurricular offerings. The Walker Fund ensures that we can offer a wider set of opportunities to our students that provides a margin of excellence that sets us apart from our competition. Your tax-deductible gifts ensure that the Walker experience is the best of its kind.
What does my gift to The Walker Fund do?
Every dollar contributed to The Walker Fund is used to provide for the outstanding faculty, programs and facilities that directly benefit your student every day.
Specifically, gifts to The Walker Fund:
• Purchase state-of-the-art technology and new curriculum materials for use in our classrooms at all division levels. • Supply resources and equipment that enhance our high-quality academic, arts and athletic programs. • Provide additional professional development opportunities for faculty and staff to gain knowledge and skills in their area of expertise. • Support experiential education, STEM opportunities, band trips, wellness opportunities, outside speakers and more.
Why is my participation so important?
Not only does participation signify a high level of community commitment to the school’s mission, it also strengthens our case when seeking support from foundations and corporations. Walker has received $2.7 million in foundation grants in the last few years to support financial aid, academic programs and facilities construction.
How much of a difference does my gift really make?
The Walker School has fewer supporters than a large university or charity, but our needs are just as great. That’s why we ask every member of the Walker community, including our Board of Trustees, parents, faculty and staff, alumni, grandparents and friends – to consider making a yearly gift to The Walker Fund at whatever level they are able.
I am very busy and not sure I can volunteer.
Serving others and giving back is an important aspect of the Walker culture. Students are encouraged to serve others locally and globally, and service projects are part of each grade-level experience. There are a variety of ways you can volunteer and when you do, you gain a greater understanding of the Walker experience and make meaningful connections with other families. We don’t require you to volunteer, but we welcome you with open arms and hope to provide opportunities that work in your busy schedule.
Plan your Giving SE PT EMB ER The Walker Fund Campaign kicks off
O CTO BER The Walker Fund Campaign continues
D E C EM B ER Last opportunity to pre-register for Georgia Goal Spirit of Giving
F E B R UARY I Love Walker Drive
MA R C H The Walker Fund Spring Campaign Alumni Month
APRIL WSA Spirit Auction POTA Arts Event All-Parent Party
JUN E The Walker Fund Wrap-Up
Contact Information Development Office
The Walker School Association (WSA)
Elizabeth Sirk Director of Development development@thewalkerschool.org 770-366-2512
wsa@thewalkerschool.org
Admission Office
pota@thewalkerschool.org
Katherine Harrison Director of Admission admission@thewalkerschool.org 678-581-6923
Wolverine Club
wolverineclub@thewalkerschool.org
Parents of the Arts (POTA)