Endowment FAQ

An endowment is like a school’s savings account. It is made up of funds—given through philanthropy or designated by the Board of Trustees—that are invested to provide the school with a permanent, reliable source of income and stability. The endowment provides income distributions each year that help supplement operating and financial aid costs that may not be covered by other sources of revenue, such as the Annual Fund and tuition. It helps the school meet the budgetary needs and priorities of today while ensuring long-term financial stability for tomorrow. 

As of June 30, 2021, the WIS endowment had a market value of $8,426,547.

The endowment supports every part of the WIS experience, from our internationally minded curricula and programs to our innovative faculty and staff. It supports the School’s current programming and operations while providing a strong foundation for the future.

The endowment provides the School with a permanent source of income, improving financial stability and flexibility. Because WIS has operated near total student capacity each year since 2008, it cannot rely on increased enrollment to generate additional income to meet growing financial demands. Endowment distributions, along with gifts to the Annual Fund, help the School meet its operating costs each year and plan for future expenditures and capital projects. A strong endowment also signals community investment in the School’s mission and future success. 

Under normal conditions, the endowment’s annual distribution approximates four percent of the trailing four-year average of the endowment's total asset value.

The WIS Board of Trustees manages the School’s endowment policies and investments.

To make an online gift by cash or credit card to a named endowment, please find the online form here. There are also other ways to give to an endowment or establish your own, including:

• Stocks, bonds, and mutual fund shares 
• Gifts matched by employers
• Bequests made through a will or living trust
• Contributions made via donor-advised funds (DAFs)

Please find more information on ways to give here. If you have a question about making a gift, please contact Director of Advancement Services and Operations, Gerad Teague, at 202.283.1816 or gerad.teague@wis.edu.

Yes. Endowment gifts of any amount can be designated to the fund that is most meaningful to you.

WIS’s minimum amount to create a named endowment is $100,000. 

Absolutely. Endowments can be built over time through multi-year commitments (However, the fund will not yield a distribution until it is fully capitalized at $100,000.)

Please contact Director of Advancement Services and Operations, Gerad Teague, at 202.283.1816 or gerad.teague@wis.edu with questions or to learn more about the WIS endowment.