MORE THAN EVER.
THE CAMPAIGN FOR WATERSHED
Watershed is committed to working with others to build a future that is more just, more sustainable, and more compassionate. In a world of complex problems, we help students develop the skills and abilities to become creative problem solvers with the passion and vision to address future challenges. In a world too often defined by discord, we help students listen, learn, and lead across differences. And in a sometimes cynical world, we help students build hope. In 2004, Watershed School’s founders opened a school with 16 students, 4 educators, and a bold vision rooted in experiential learning, transdisciplinary courses, and a commitment to serve the broader human and ecological community. Outgrowing the original building on Canyon, Watershed moved to a larger, more conventional school building on Alpine in 2011 where we’ve continued to grow.
NOW
Watershed needs a permanent home to address our school’s current and future needs. More than Ever.
Investing in a permanent home for Watershed is an investment in: • Program – inspiring learning spaces to support our mission and curriculum; • Growth – room to expand our reach and our impact; and • Place – move from renting to owning and setting down roots.
Now More than Ever The Campaign for Watershed is an investment in education for the future. Our Goal
$6 million
PRIOR ITY:
PROGRAM
Watershed needs an intentionally designed, mission-driven campus to support our mission-driven program.
Vibrant, flexible learning spaces
Anchored in the community
Our new campus is designed for our flexible, vibrant program. We will have: • large, open science, art, and maker spaces; • seminar/study spaces; • flexible studios/classrooms with plenty of breakout space for collaboration and individual study; • a full-community gathering space, student play spaces; and • expeditionary fieldwork staging areas.
Watershed’s new campus on Spine Rd. in Boulder is in a mixed-use area and offers the opportunity to strengthen our Community Partnership Program. These partnerships lead to transformational experiences for students, staff, and partners – exploring and addressing our world’s great challenges.
REA L QU ESTI ON S. REAL WORK. REAL I M PACT.
PRIOR ITY:
GROWTH
Our world needs the Watershed experience more than ever. We are in position to expand our reach.
Bursting at the seams Enrollment demand has increased. At 114 students, we’ve stretched the physical limits of our current building. We need more room today. The two buildings of our new Spine Rd. campus offer 29,000ft2 — a 50% increase over our current building size.
Modest, gradual growth More students deserve the Watershed experience. With our current pace of enrollment growth, we can increase our student body to 130-150 over three to five years, enriching our programs and maintaining the Watershed ethos. Our new location brings us closer to Boulder County’s areas of population growth and increasing diversity.
EXPA ND ENROL L MENT. EXPAN D REACH . EXPAN D I M PACT.
PRIOR ITY:
PLACE
Watershed is poised to stake a claim for our future, set down roots, and secure our independence.
A permanent home
Financial sustainability
After renting space from others for 20 years, Watershed is ready to own a campus. Grounding ourselves in place allows us to deepen our roots and broaden our impact in the community. A permanent home gives us agency over our physical environment to support students, educators, and alumni. A campus of our own provides the long-term financial sustainability we need at this time in Watershed’s history.
Watershed’s success has built a strong foundation, allowing us to take this vital step. Our new campus ensures that Watershed will continue to spark adventure and wonder, foster inquiry and community, and build the character and ability of students to take on the world’s greatest challenges now and in the future. Our world needs more Watershed graduates who are ready to be effective, engaged changemakers.
A HOME FOR CHA NGEMA KERS. A H OM E WE CAN CO UN T ON .
Now More than Ever. The Campaign for Watershed is an investment in Watershed’s future. Campaign Goal:
$6 million
MORE THAN EVER.
THE CAMPAIGN FOR WATERSHED
CAMPAIGN PRIORITY
IMPACT
Program Mission-driven campus to support Watershed’s program.
• Vibrant, flexible learning studios and breakout space for all courses • Large community gathering space and fieldwork staging areas • Indoor and outdoor play spaces
Growth Gradual growth to expand Watershed’s impact.
• Two buildings, with a combined 29,000ft2 • Gradual, thoughtful growth: a student body of 130-150 in three to five years • More families deserve access to a transformative Watershed education
Place A permanent home we can count on.
• Long-term financial sustainability: moving from renting to owning • Setting down roots allows us to deepen our community impact • A permanent home for our students, educators, and alumni
Join Us!
How to Give
Now is the time for Watershed to move to a permanent home. Our staff and students need mission-supportive infrastructure, Watershed needs to deepen roots and grow our financial stability, and the world needs what Watershed graduates offer.
Mail a check to: Watershed School | 1661 Alpine Ave. | Boulder, CO 80304
As of December 31, 2023, The Campaign for Watershed has raised more than $5 Million in gifts and pledges. With your help, we can reach the needed goal of $6 Million in 2024. Thank you for your support of Watershed School!
Make a secure gift online through CO Gives https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/WatershedSchool Contact Julie Yates, Director of Development & Communications, to execute an ACH, wire transfer, give a gift of stock, or to discuss other giving options. julie.yates@watershedschool.org | 603.991.8529
INVEST I N WATERSH ED ’S F UTURE TO DAY.
1661 Alpine Ave. Boulder, CO 80304
TO ADVENTURE + WONDER,
INQUIRY + COMMUNITY, AND THE CHARACTER + ABILITY OF STUDENTS TO TAKE ON THE WORLD'S GREATEST CHALLENGES.