Focus On: Philanthropy

April 2025

Over the past few months, I have shared exciting developments about what is in store for Molloy Posner Hall. From an updated and expanded kitchen and dining room to a redesigned Middle School Learning Commons, WT continues to evolve to meet the needs of our students. Rethinking time and space has always been part of our history—from the early challenges that Miss Thurston and Miss Mitchell faced as they established their respective schools to our move from Fifth Avenue to Morewood to a new Upper School building, to the creation of the Davis Center—a story of courage and community support emerges.

One of my favorite chapters in WT’s history involves the foresight of Putnam “Put” McDowell, a former WT Trustee and Honorary Alumnus. At a time when the school was struggling financially, McDowell successfully persuaded Henry Hillman of The Hillman Company to purchase property on Morewood Avenue from WT with the plan to eventually gift it back when the school’s financial position had stabilized. Forty years later, when WT was ready to build the Upper School building, McDowell’s foresight and Hillman’s generosity came to fruition. WT has built upon this generosity for decades, allowing us to continue to transform the lives of our young people. In my annual State of the School presentation, I share a clear picture of WT’s financial landscape. While the cost of tuition is formidable, it’s important to understand that net tuition covers only 85% of the school’s total expenses. The remaining 15% is funded through contributions to the WT Annual Fund, earnings from our endowment, and auxiliary revenue. In a very real sense, the generosity of past and present donors helps to underwrite the cost of education for every student at WT.

In my annual State of the School presentation, I share a clear picture of WT’s financial landscape. While the cost of tuition is formidable, it’s important to understand that net tuition covers only 85% of the school’s total expenses. The remaining 15% is funded through contributions to the WT Annual Fund, earnings from our endowment, and auxiliary revenue. In a very real sense, the generosity of past and present donors helps to underwrite the cost of education for every student at WT.

WT wouldn’t be where it is today without the generosity of our community. The classrooms our students learn in and the scholarships that support them are made possible by philanthropy. Many individuals may be unable to make the “big” gifts, so it is important to note that it is never just about those. Instead, transformational moments are possible, because people make gifts at a variety of levels. In the past decade alone, we've raised over one million dollars from donations of less than one thousand dollars. Every gift—no matter the size—makes a meaningful difference and expands opportunities for our students. Our collective effort is powerful!

And now we are standing at another pivotal moment. With an ambitious goal of $21.5 million, WT’s largest campaign in school history, I am so pleased that we have now reached $17.2 million, or 80% of that goal, because of the generosity of so many. As we embark on the final stages of our campus improvement plan, we will need everyone to accept the challenge to Be Boundless.  Just as those who were generous from our founding, it is now our turn, indeed our responsibility, to pay it forward for future generations of WT students. Philanthropy invites you to be partners in our mission to actively engage each student in a challenging and inspiring learning process that develops the mind, motivates the passion to achieve, and cultivates the character to serve.

Another essential and enduring way our community sustains WT’s mission year after year is through the WT Annual Fund. In addition to its vital role in fostering innovative learning and growth, the Annual Fund also helps bridge the gap between tuition and the full cost of a WT education. One of the most meaningful ways to support this effort is by participating in our upcoming Day of Giving on Tuesday, May 6—an annual event that brings the community together to support the WT Annual Fund and to honor the incredible faculty and staff who shape the student experience every day. Learn more about Day of Giving here.

 

In the latest episode of WT’s podcast Head Space, I spent time speaking with Executive Director of Institutional Advancement Monica Gay and Director of Advancement Dana DePasquale about their important work in securing WT’s future through their work. I hope you will take time to listen. 

We can do so much more when we join together. We can solidify WT’s future for generations to come because others did it for us. It happened before. It can happen again.  Because we are WT.  

Warm regards,

Scott D. Fech, Ph.D.
Head of School