Wheeler Impact Report 2022-2023

We are

Wheeler

Impact Report 2022/23

We are Wheeler

A NOTE FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL ALLISON GAINES PELL

In these pages you will find a snapshot of many giving impacts that are easily measured: dollars raised, programs funded, and more. But the true impact of your giving extends far beyond numbers, and even beyond the long list of opportunities those gifts provide for Wheeler students. It is found in the burst of discovery, the hush of awe, the shout of joy, or the swell of pride – and in the growth each represents.

Those moments arise directly from your generosity, because your giving enhances the conditions for success within our vibrant learning environment. Thanks to you, our enrollment is strong, our students persevere and thrive, and together we are building upon Wheeler’s long history of achievement and impact. Thank you.

Allison Gaines Pell

Wheeler is an N-12 s of four divisions unifi by the following beli

empathy

Empathy requires practice and reflection.

school fied iefs:

relationships experience

Relationships matter.

Every person should be known, seen, and heard.

Experience -- in class and in the world -- leads to insight and wisdom.

learning Enduring learning requires meaningful work, critical thinking, and productive struggle.

joy Joy, creativity, and courage must be cultivated and celebrated.

curiosity

Curiousity and choice drive engagement and excellence.

BY THE NUMBERS Total gifts and pledges raised in 2022-23:

$4,378,048 from

1,361 individual donors

*

designated to:

24%

17% SOON

FUTURE

PERPETUITY

The Wheeler Fund

Programs and capital projects

Planned Gifts

Endowed Funds

IMMEDIATE

33%

26%

*Each heart represents one of our 1,361 donors -- too many to fit on one page!

From every corner of our community, at every level, our donors are essential to our ability to fulfill our mission.

Our donors:

Their gifts:

n Current parents 37%

n Between $100 and $1,000 48%

n Alumni 29%

n Up to $100 35%

n Faculty & staff 5% n Students 14%

n Parents of alumni 7% n Grandparents 7%

n Over $10,000 3%

n Between $1,000 and $10,000 14%

The Wheeler Fund

s

The Wheeler Fund is our community’s collective investment in Wheeler’s core strengths: teaching excellence, vibrant community, and innovative curriculum. Your combined gifts enrich the Wheeler experience far beyond what would be possible through tuition alone.

In 2022-23, the Wheeler Fund added $840,406 to the annual program budget

Wheeler’s Day of Giving The biggest day in the fundraising year, Wheeler’s Day of Giving rallies supporters from across its global community to come together in purple and gold pride for today’s students.

881 donors

With 881 donors contributing $277,930, the 10th annual Day of Giving in 2023 was the most successful yet!

840 donors

746 donors $267K 558 donors $194K

294 donors 239 donors 88 donors

$278K

$266K

332 donors

516 donors $205K

434 donors $115K

$105K

$91K

$75K

$50K

FY14

FY15

FY16

FY17

FY18

FY19

FY20

FY21

FY22

FY23

Total need-based financial aid awarded in 2022-23 $4,939,882

Donor-Funded Scholarship Only a small portion of tuition revenue is directed to financial aid. The remainder of Wheeler’s financial aid budget relies on philanthropy.

Thanks to the generosity of our donor community, support for financial aid from philanthropic sources has increased by 123% over the past 10 years.

Percent of students who received tuition assistance 35 Average award $22,250 Number of named scholarship funds 50

“

There is a 1000% chance that the classes I am taking now at Wheeler are influencing what I want to do one day. They have completely changed the way I see myself and what I might want to do in the future. These opportunities have really opened my eyes, and by learning to build and design in different classes, I have realized I can do this for my whole life.

Luyao L. ’26

”

Your impact is

everywhere!

58 colleges attended

by Wheeler Class of 2023

180 ice skates rented

24 Field Day relay race runners

Illustrations by Annie Xia ’24

2200 pounds of clay sculpted

70 towns

represented

by Wheeler students

4 Interscholastic Clubs attending

118 courses

79 Senior Free Inquiry Projects

in the Upper School catalogue

state and national championships

3,000 square feet of courtyard covered in chalk on Founder’s Day

130 acres of the Farm Campus

20 languages offered

528 lacrosse balls

95 pony rides at Fall Fest

170 upgraded Chromebooks

10 National Merit Semifinalists

40 student video productions

5 new Cleartouch screens installed 350 types of chemicals in the chemistry closet

87 runners in the first annual Homecoming Fun Run

60 athletic coaches

5100 hits on student podcasts and video productions 2 tubes of dye for Mr. Harris’s mustache

242 buses to and from The Farm 9 major music performances produced by the Performing Arts Department

228 digital magazines

12 teachers dunked by seniors

161 new students

sorted into Spirit Colors at Jamboree

60 upper school 120 students and middle school involved in theatrical athletic teams performances

217 students receiving dance instruction

1,035 cups of Del’s Lemonade on Day of Giving

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LOYALTY Founder’s Society THE WHEELER SCHOOL

The Founder’s Society* recognizes those who make leadership gifts totaling $1,000+ in a single year.

We thank the 231 leadership donors who together provided $2,567,690 to all Wheeler priorities in 2022-23. * Beginning in the 2023-24 school year, this leadership level will start at $2,000.

The 1889 Society recognizes those who have made gifts to Wheeler for 3+ years. We thank the 664 donors whose sustained giving forms the core of our donor community, including the 57 champions who have given to Wheeler for 20 or more years in a row.

LEGACY The Mary C. Wheeler Legacy Society recognizes those who have added Wheeler to their wills or estate plans.

We thank the 74 supporters who have provided for Wheeler’s long-term strength by making deferred gifts to future generations.

Mary C. Wheeler

Legacy Society

“

When I arrived at Wheeler in 2002, it didn’t take me long to see what a special place it was.

I felt so fortunate to be part of this community and set a goal to be a longstanding member of the faculty, like so many highlyrespected peers I looked up to.

Giving to the Wheeler Fund has been a way for me to support my colleagues’ disciplines and programs, and PE and athletics too.

Coach Eric Stein 1889 SOCIETY MEMBER

”

Lil Rhody State of Mind Samantha Flum ’23 Bound between Benevolent and Angell I write sipping an Awful Awful in the heart of Providence America’s baby state wicked awesome Rhode Island— never too small to contain cosmic thoughts or welcome into its tolerant vastness those who dream

The Atlantic filled with steamers and quahogs only waves away from South America Europe Africa accepting the displaced onto the shores of our Ocean State

Here people talk loudly about our heritage justice and liberty with a side of calamari honoring Roger Williams acknowledging Native tribes— Narragansett Niantic Nipmuc Pequot Wampanoag— all who protected this land as we go forward Hoping

Budget at a Glance Wheeler’s financial model is tuition dependent.

Fundraising plays a critical role in rounding out the remainder of our operating budget and enabling every aspect of our unique and unparalleled programs.

Where it comes from:

n Gifts and endowment

10%

n Auxiliary revenue (e.g. summer camp)

10%

n N et tuition revenue

80%

Where it goes:

$31,803,403 TOTAL

n Other

4%

n Campus operations and maintenance

9%

n Students and program

13%

n Employee compensation

74%

Endowments The Wheeler endowment is made up of 80 individual endowed funds, most of which are designated by donors or the Board of Trustees to support specific school priorities.

Hamilton-specific financial aid 20% General financial aid 48%

Libraries and lectureships 3%

General endowment and other 4%

Faculty compensation 17%

Professional learning 3% Advising and programs 5%

On average, Wheeler’s endowment contributes 4% of its value to the operating budget each year.

The endowment provides a consistent source of revenue that helps maintain financial stability and academic excellence. $58M

$58M $53M

$43M

$44M

$45M

$38M $31M

$32M

$32M

2015

2016

$26M $21M

2012

2013

2014

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

The endowment is overseen by the Investment Committee, a volunteer subcommittee of the Board of Trustees tasked with maintaining and enhancing its real purchasing power in perpetuity.

“

Wheeler gave me the tools to thrive in Rhode Island and also prepared me for global living.

The lessons instilled in me will forever be a source of purpose and direction.

I give because it is important to ensure that the next generation has the same opportunities I did.

I do not expect them to do it alone.

I hope to be on the journey with them.

Kyle Bennett ’89 1889 SOCIETY MEMBER

”

216 Hope Street Providence, RI 02906

2022/23

Impact Report