Fundraising and Charitable Gifts

Tuition and fees only cover a portion of the actual cost of operating Waco Montessori School.  WMS is a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation.  Fundraising allows the school to keep tuition as affordable as possible.

Annual Auction

With the assistance of the PTO and staff members, the WMS Board sponsors an annual auction each fall, which is the largest fundraiser.  This is a fun-filled evening when parents and friends may bid on auction items, many of which have been made by our children.

PTO

The PTO sponsors and assists with designated fundraisers throughout the school year. Notably, these include the gift-wrap sale, book fairs, and restaurant nights.
All families are members of the PTO.  PTO meetings are usually held the 2nd Thursday of each month and everyone is invited to attend.

Scholarship Fund

The Scholarship Fund at WMS helps make Montessori education available to more children.  The need for financial assistance tends to exceed the amount of scholarship funds available.  WMS is committed to steadily increasing this fund so that the supply will keep pace with demand.

Contributions to the Scholarship Fund are often made as memorial gifts or to honor a particular person.  This is a wonderful and lasting way to honor a teacher on his/her birthday or at the end of school.  Gifts have also been given to honor new babies or older children on their birthdays.&#

Institutional Advancement Campaign

A number of our families choose to make annual or monthly tax-deductible gifts to our Institutional Advancement Campaign.  Funds raised through this source are used to pay for long-term improvements, to reduce debt, or to expand facilities. This campaign usually follows the auction in time for the holiday season.

Foundations

WMS is grateful for grants, which have been given to our school by the Cooper Foundation, the Waco Foundation, the Clifton Foundation, and the Rapaport Foundation.

Donna Baker Endowment Fund

The first graduating class of sixth graders created an Endowment Fund in 1999 as a lasting gift for the school.  The creation of this fund provided them with the opportunity to leave behind a legacy that will grow and last as long as there is a Waco Montessori School. In November 2008, the Donna Baker Endowment was created in honor of Donna’s 25 years of service at WMS. The Endowment Fund helps WMS to maintain financial independence and to continue to provide a quality education to the children in the Waco community.

“Pave the Way” Campaign

Engraved pavers at the main entrance are a visible way to honor a graduate, teacher or other important person.