Annual Fund 2025–2026:
With One Heart

Welcome to the heart of our school.

At the Waldorf School of Pittsburgh, we do more than teach—we tend. We cultivate curiosity, guide with love, and build a foundation for lifelong purpose. Every lesson, festival, and handwork stitch is part of something greater: a shared rhythm that pulses through our classrooms, gardens, and community.

This year, our theme is With One Heart - a celebration of the quiet strength that arises when we move together, care together, and give together. It reflects what we’ve always known: that the true power of education lies not in isolation, but in connection.

When you give, you become part of that rhythm.
You help us hold the space for each child to grow—strong, joyful, and whole.

Join us—With One Heart—to nurture what matters most.

Donate

This year's Annual Fund supports our teachers' salaries to allow us to continue providing the rich Waldorf curriculum to our students.

Thank you to our generous donors!

Fast Zwier Family

Flynn Lysell Family

Frances Piesetzkie

Gail Haynes

Georgetti Family

Goodman Family

Hillstrom Family

Holly King and Jeffrey Dorsey

Jafarian Meknat Family

Jessica Magid Garces

Kim Wynnyckyj

Klauss Family

Lamm Family

Leila Wynnyckyj

Lima Family

Loewen Reiff Family

Louise Weber Family

Lynn and Dale Lazar

Maribeth Hagley

Meghan and Skip Sanders

Melissa Wagner

Acharya Sykes Family
Agrawal Family
Altott Peiffer Family
Andrea Boykowycz

Anna Mary Reiff
Baker Family
Battista Family
Boette Family
Bohnet Garcia Family
Bowser Opdahl Family
Bush Haynes Family
Cameron Skirpan Family
Chirdon-Jones Family
Christopherson-Clark Family
Daniel Peris
Dann Heffner Family
David and Jackie Taylor
Denise Pollack
Devon Wood
Don and Christal Edmunds

Donna Belajac

Moore Family

Myrvin Christopherson

Nancy Jones

Osorio-Arellano Family

Richard Dibella

Robyn and Teyo Thomas

Rodgers Family

Rosen Family

Saville-Iksic Family

Schantz-Thomas Family

Sebly Family

Sharron Muia

Sharpnack Family

Smeiles Family

Susan Jessell

Sharpnack Family

Tomczyk Family

Virginia Mullins

Wiswell Family

WSP Students

Zihar Family

About the Annual Fund

What is the Annual Fund?

The Waldorf School of Pittsburgh Annual Fund is driven by gifts from generous parents like you, along with the gifts of alums, teachers, staff, parents of alums, former staff, grandparents, and friends. In 2024–25, gifts from 115 donors, plus 101 student donors, added up to roughly $52,500 in support of our students and programming. Your Annual Fund donation makes an immediate impact on the quality of the school and directly benefits your child and other students.

Why does the Waldorf School of Pittsburgh have an Annual Fund?

Tuition alone does not cover the costs of an independent school education. Like other schools and colleges, Waldorf School of Pittsburgh relies on gifts to help meet annual expenses and provide funding for tuition assistance, program expansion and teacher salaries. In 2024–25, $600,000 was awarded in tuition assistance. This year, Waldorf School of Pittsburgh awarded $620,000. The annual fund helps us bridge this gap.

What does the Annual Fund do for the students and teachers of the Waldorf School?

The Annual Fund provides resources for our operating budget in support of all aspects of the school, from tuition assistance for 51% of our Kindergarten to Grade 8 families (those families eligible), to larger mission-driven work and (perhaps most importantly!) teachers’ salaries and compensation.

Why not raise tuition instead of asking me to give a donation?

The Board of Trustees tries to keep tuition as low as possible so that as many families as possible will be able to afford a Waldorf education. Raising tuition would restrict even further the number of families who could attend our school. At the same time, we must maintain the authenticity of our programs. Charitable contributions help us achieve both goals.

I pay tuition. Why are you asking me to do more?

By helping to cover the gap between what it actually costs to educate each student at the school each year in tuition, your gift to the Annual Fund directly influences the educational experience students have at Waldorf School of Pittsburgh. The availability of more resources equals access to enhancing our very special learning environment. Also, contributions to Waldorf School of Pittsburgh are tax-deductible, whereas tuition payments are not. When you donate to the Annual Fund, you help keep tuition payments lower, and your gift entitles you to a tax benefit.

How much am I expected to give?

We hope that every participant will be as generous as possible. We want you to give what you can to support our school and community with joy! In the past, donations have ranged from the pennies carried in by a student to more than $5,000. Gifts of all sizes are needed and welcome. Every dollar makes a difference and every student benefits.

What if I can’t make a big donation?

While we rely on the generosity of leadership gifts, please realize that every gift—no matter the size—is needed and important. We truly value participation in the Annual Fund. The percentage of parent support is important in the eyes of foundations and major donors. It is considered a sign of institutional strength when donors see broad-based giving from our community. When you give joyfully to your own school, foundations and other donors notice!

What if I can’t give right now?

There are ways we all can help. You can pledge now, and defer your payment until later, or pay in installments via your Ravenna Student Management (RSM) account. All pledge payments must be received by the close of the Annual Fund, which is June 30, 2026.

Can I make a monthly donation?

Yes! A monthly donation is an excellent way to support WSP. You may make a monthly, recuring donation through your RSM account or PayPal is also available online. A $20 monthly donation adds up to a significant $240 yearly gift!

Will my company match my gift?

When you make a gift to WSP, you can double or triple its impact by checking with your employer to see if they participate in a matching gift program. Many companies and foundations match the value of charitable gifts made by employees and their spouses, board members, and retirees.

Who else is asked to give joyfully?

Everyone in the Waldorf community! If you’d like to pass along more information about the Annual Fund to your parents, friends, or family, we will send an e-mail for you to share. We hope you’ll share our request widely with your network. A successful Annual Fund, supported by a large percentage of the Waldorf community, directly contributes to the experience children have at WSP. It affirms and celebrates all that we’ve created and helps us to shape our world for the future. It reflects our belief in the transformative power and beauty a Waldorf Education provides.