News & Announcements

A Culture of Philanthropy: A Review of the 2016-2017 Year

By Catherine Ashton, Development Director

This year’s Giving Tree Fund exceeded its initial goal by more than $15,000! The commitment of our parents, alumni families, grandparents, faculty and staff, and friends translated into more than $215,000 raised to support the Austin Waldorf School. The committed Development Committee and Board of Trustees served as ambassadors of the school and the Giving Tree, sharing the message of why philanthropy matters at the Austin Waldorf School.

Ninety-six percent of Austin Waldorf School parents made gifts to the Giving Tree, allowing us to increase our retirement match for faculty and staff and invest significantly in faculty salaries to be in line with area schools and other Waldorf schools to make that we can attract and retain expert teachers. We also continue to move forward with connecting to the city sewer system and moving away from septic, and are currently in the permitting and design phase of the multi-year project.

The 2016-2017 gala, Waldorf at UMLAUF was a smashing success! Gala committee Alex Abbott, Amy Ballinger, Karen Draker, Rebecca Judis, Geraldine Rincon and Donna Zollinger offered more than 200 guests a beautiful night under the stars, complete with an art-filled silent auction and a beautiful video featuring Austin Waldorf School alumni. The evening raised more than $125,000 and netted $88,000 for campus improvements, including an exciting summer High School Beautification Project and planned improvements to the Kindergarten and Lower Grades Playgrounds.

The deep culture of philanthropy at the Austin Waldorf School goes far beyond the Giving Tree and the annual gala! During the 2016-2017 school year, several other fundraising initiatives helped us give back to our community:

• The Bill Toole Memorial Fund was created in memory of our beloved Bill Toole and supports an ongoing outdoor education program.
• The Third Grade’s Annual Used Books and Fresh Cookies raised more than $1,000, enough for the library to buy around 100 new books!
• Austin Waldorf School parents continue to support our sister school, “The House of Joy and Happiness” in Cambodia, ensuring local children in rural Cambodia have access to a high-quality education.

2016-2017 also saw a renewed focus on supporting and engaging with our alumni students and their families, and events for alumni are being planned for next year.

Thank you to each and every one of you for your generous spirit. Every dollar raised and every hour volunteered helped knit a vibrant community that allows our children to grow and thrive. I am so grateful.

Catherine Ashton
Development Director