Making Waldorf Education Accessible
For over 20 years, WWS has inspired a love of learning in Whistler’s community and the Waldorf community of Canada. As one of three Waldorf High Schools in Canada, WWS is proud that the community has given us so much hard work and support over the years to be able to offer a Waldorf education to any student that requires it’s unique, warm and nurturing theology.
Every donation made to Whistler Waldorf School directly affects a child’s education. Tuition fees, government and business grants (and a portion of fundraising) all cover the school’s operations budget, which largely consists of teacher salaries and lease payments for operating space. However, we are committed to keeping our fees as low as possible to maintain affordability and keep Waldorf education as accessible as possible.
Partners in Fundraising
Partner With Us
Match Contributions for Fundraising
If you own a business in the Sea to Sky, are an employee, or an individual that wants to contribute more, WWS can help you as you help us fundraise for our annual events.
WWS can create a funds matching or specialized donation program for you. The idea is simple. You, your work or your business can help match donations in totality (or up to a certain amount). In return, WWS will advertise your business as a partner of our fundraising campaign to our 1700+ social media followers.
How to partner with us?
- An individual or business decides to raise funds by matching a percentage of funds raised during our Annual Gala to get a corporate or personal tax write-off.
- A local restaurant donates two evening 3-course meals for our Gala silent auction to get extra social marketing and promotion before and during the event.
- An online business offers 10% donation of proceeds back to WWS when their product is purchased through our community E-newsletter.
Contact us for more information or with your idea for how you can help, and in turn how we can help you!
Donate Investments
Donate Investments for Tax-savings
A donation of securities or mutual funds is the most efficient way to give charitably. Since capital gains taxes don’t apply, our charity receives the full fair market value when the security is sold, and you get a tax receipt which reflects your larger contribution. This allows you to give more and get more.
Why donate securities?
- Your gift of securities entitles you to a donation receipt for the full market value (resale) of your contribution. Your gift will result in a non-refundable, charitable tax credit that will reduce your income taxes. You can use it in the year of your gift or carry it forward for up to five additional years.
- You pay no capital gains tax on the appreciated value (increased price) of your securities. Donating securities directly to WWS avoids the tax on capital gains, maximizes the return on your investment and protects the tax credits for use against other taxable income.
For information and forms to start your investment donation, please contact our Finance Dept. for more details.
Community Grants & Support
Enrichment Grants
We are fortunate that Whistler’s community groups and businesses provide an opportunity for social enrichment opportunities and grants.
Every year, WWS applies for a number of community grants to help build enrichment opportunities for the students within the school. We are grateful to these organizations for their support, including Vail’s Epic Promise, Resort Municipality of Whistler and the Community Foundation of Whistler.
#WWSMembers – Supporting our School
Community engagement and support is the cornerstone of a high-quality, independent school education and the healthy growth of the Whistler Waldorf School. The generous financial support we receive from our current families, alumni, alumni parents, friends and community partners goes directly towards expenses not fully covered by tuition alone.
Community Fundraising Events
To support this mission, Whistler Waldorf School puts on an Annual Giving Campaign and Gala Evening Fundraiser during the year to help support student and teacher’s wishlists and capital projects for the school such as outdoor learning spaces, ADST/Tech Program upgrades and much more.
Our community partners and families are some of the most creative givers to the school and students and we would be limited without them!
We encourage our community members to suggest additional ideas for fundraising and get creative: Nearly anywhere we spend money is a worthy support opportunity to consider.
Annual Give for November’s Giving Tuesday
The Annual Giving Campaign provides an opportunity for faculty, staff and parents to give what they can towards improving the school capital aspects and to join together in a charitable showing of love and support for our school community. Participation and a groundswell of support is our key goal – donations of all sizes are appreciated. Our Annual Giving donations are collected through Canadahelps.org
End of Year Annual Gala
The Gala Evening Fundraiser happens once a year and it is our biggest fundraiser of the year and is sure to entertain all WWS members and families! The event brings together lovers of fine wine and food in a fun adult evening of supporting the school. With over a hundred items donated for both live and silent auctions, bidding is exciting as we raise funds for teachers’ wish lists for the next school year and much more.
School-based Fundraisers
Every year, parents help organize school fundraisers throughout the year and hot lunch programs where our students directly benefit from the funds raised through PAC’s ongoing contributions. Some fundraisers also include a community pay-it-forward aspect so that students learn to give back to the community for specific needs.
- Gift Cards @ Nesters Market
- Westcoast Seeds & Growing Smiles Plant Sales
- Back to School BBQ
- Bake Sales & Book Fairs
- Creekbread Pizza Fundraiser
- Annual Ski-a-thon in March
Community & School Festivals
During the year, the school and the PAC coordinate mini-festivals both in-school and for the general community to come join in the fun to celebrate the various seasons and to help foster wonder, reverence and gratitude.
These are a great way to celebrate Waldorf education, meet other families, build relationships with the broader Sea to Sky community and support the school’s values and vision for the future.
Festival of Courage (Michaelmas)
Saint Michael is an archangel in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In Celtic tradition, St. Michael represents the unconquered hero, fighting against evil and the powers of darkness.
This shared feast day is a gathering of the whole school community in October. It reminds us of the inner courage it takes to face our human challenges. As the days grow colder and the nights grow longer, we must find and bring forth our own inner light when the sun, warmth and growth of the earth are fading.
Lantern Walk (Martinmas)
For the Early Years, this beautiful, peaceful parade of lights and festivities occurs during a early evening in November, where playschool to Grade 2 students make their own handmade lanterns and as day turns to night, the students and their families carry these shining lights in a parade. Each lantern symbolizes and celebrates the inner light and life of each student.
Winter Garden (Advent Spiral)
The Early Years Advent Spiral (sometimes referred to as the Winter Garden) is a celebration of winter festivities and traditions. This is one of the most beautiful and memorable of the winter festivals that families of the Playschool and Kindergarten (sometimes Grade 1 and 2), share at the beginning of the holiday season in December.
In a room lit by candles and smelling of evergreens, the children go one at a time through the spiral of evergreens to the center of the garden. Each child lights their candle and then places it somewhere on the pathway to light the way for the next child. It is a reminder of the journey inward each of us must make during the dark days ahead.
Winter Faire
Winter Faire occurs each December before Christmas and is a chance to invite the community to come and enjoy the winter season making seasonal crafts with the children. The school and Field House are decorated with fragrant evergreens and there are a number of craft tables, a magic Cookie House, fresh baked goods, caroling, puppet shows and storytelling. All crafts are in the Waldorf genre: natural, simple and beautiful!
May Faire
May Faire is an ancient festival honoring the change of seasons from darkness to light. The tree of life was part of this festival and is now represented by the Maypole. Our school hosts a May Faire in early May that is open to the entire community with Maypole dancing, songs, food and children’s activities.
