WHY WE GIVE
Philanthropy enables WIS's mission to be an exemplary learning community. Gifts from parents, alumni, and friends sustain the programs, people, and experiences that tuition alone does not cover, and every contribution, whatever its size, strengthens the School.
Annual Fund | Endowment | Legacy Giving | Volunteer | Give Now
At WIS, philanthropic support flows to three primary areas: the Annual Fund, which meets immediate needs across the School each year; Club WIS: An Evening for Financial Aid, our annual gala supporting access for families who need it; and the Endowment, which builds lasting financial strength for generations to come. Together, these three areas help WIS meet today's needs, open the doors of a WIS education to more students and families, and invest in the future.
LEGACY Giving The Cathya Wing Stephenson Society, established by the Board of Trustees, recognizes donors who have included WIS in their estate plans — honoring generosity that will shape the School for generations to come.
The Society is named for Cathya Wing Stephenson, a WIS co-founder and devoted supporter from 1966 onward. A leader in international education for world citizenship, she bequeathed her estate gift to financial aid, believing an international education should be within reach of a broad cross-section of DC students. Her example continues to inspire the alumni, faculty, parents, and friends who now provide for WIS in their own estate plans.
A planned gift — through a bequest, retirement account, or other legacy arrangement — costs nothing during your lifetime and leaves a lasting mark on future students. Society members are recognized for their foresight and generosity, joining a community carrying forward Mrs. Stephenson's legacy.
To learn more, visit our Legacy Giving page or contact the Advancement Office.
WAYS TO GIVE
WIS offers multiple ways to give, outlined below. Every contribution, big or small, helps advance our mission.
If you would like to donate by credit card, PayPal, Venmo, or bank ACH, please visit our online donation form.
WIS offers convenient options for non-cash giving through our Giving Suite. There, you can make a gift of stock, cryptocurrency, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), or a contribution from your donor-advised fund (DAF).
For other non-cash options, please see below:
| CASH/WIRE TRANSFER |
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CHECK Please make checks payable to "Washington International School" or "WIS" and mail to: Washington International School WIRE TRANSFERS Please EMAIL Gerad Teague for instructions on how to send a gift via wire transfer. |
| Planned Giving |
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CATHYA WING STEPHENSON PLANNED GIVING SOCIETY The Board of Trustees established the Cathya Wing Stephenson Society to recognize donors who have included WIS in their wills. As co-founder of Washington International School and one of its major donors since 1966, Mrs. Stephenson is a leader in international education for world citizenship. To perpetuate the School's mission into the future, she has included WIS in her will, designating her bequest for Financial Aid. Her belief that an international education should be available to a large cross-section of Washington, DC students carries the School forward and continues to inspire our community. Since Mrs. Stephenson made her estate gift to WIS, many alumni, faculty, parents, and friends have chosen to follow in her footsteps by providing for the School in their estates. If you are interested in learning more about Planned Giving at WIS, please visit our Planned Giving page. |
| Property |
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Gifts of low-yielding securities, real estate, collectibles, and other similar properties can provide a tax-efficient way to make meaningful gifts with little or no effect on your current spendable income. When you give appropriate property you have owned longer than one year, you are entitled to an income tax deduction for the full value of the asset, not just the amount you paid for it. All capital gains tax that would be due on a sale of the property is avoided. Gifts of appreciated assets may be deducted in an amount up to 30% of your adjusted gross income each year. Please call the Advancement Office at 202.243.1693 if you have property you would like to donate to the School. |
| Matching gifts |
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Many companies will match employee gifts — some will even double or triple them. Use our matching gift search below to see if your employer participates. Make your donation, keep your receipt, then follow the instructions provided in the search results to submit the match request through your employer’s program. See if your employer will match your donation!
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