Opportunities for Giving
Westfield Friends, the school we all know and love, needs your commitment to supporting our vision of what the future can hold for our young children. Your gift makes possible the foundations for life our school lays for its students: lifelong love of learning, strong sense of self, socially engaged global citizenship, compassion, critical thinking, and meaningful relationships.
As a school that was founded on the philanthropy of Quakers, over 230 years ago, we strive to nurture this culture of giving by allowing you various opportunities to invest in the School's present and future welfare. Today, the tradition of giving to Westfield Friends School helps us maintain our unique identity as a community-based Quaker school. Additionally, giving allows alumni, family members, and friends a meaningful way to stay engaged with the mission of our School.
Below, are all the different ways that our Westfield community can support our School.
The Fund for Westfield Friends School
Each year, a large cross-section of our community makes tax-deductible (to the extent allowed by law) one-time or monthly gifts to the Fund for Westfield Friends School. The Fund for Westfield Friends School is our primary fundraising initiative. Its funds are generally unrestricted and tangibly impact every student, teacher, and program in the school by contributing to the School's overall financial stability and total operating expenses.
Since its founding in 1788, Quaker Beliefs have guided Westfield Friends School to provide a quality education to the children of the area. Early Friends created “sponsorships” to enable all who could attend the opportunity to learn. Today, the Fund for Westfield Friends School supports the school’s ability to structure tuition to the resources of our families.
Each Fiscal Year (ends June 30th), community leaders who support Westfield with a combined annual gift total of $1000 (or more) to the Fund for Westfield Friends School will be recognized as members of The 1788 Circle. Donors will be acknowledged with an asterisk in the Annual Report's Donor Listing for that fiscal year, as well as be invited to the annual Appreciation Event.
You may designate your one-time or monthly gift to the Fund for Westfield Friends School to honor a loved one’s birthday, anniversary, or graduation, or memorialize a family member or friend with a gift in their memory. These gifts can be made online with the Fund for Westfield Friends School donation form, or by check to the school.
FEBRUARY DAYS OF GIVING Gift to the Fund for Westfield Friends School
Every year, for four days around Valentine's Day, we will hold our February Days of Giving presenting a unique chance for our community to unite and show support for Westfield by contributing to the Fund for Westfield.
In the spirit of love, everyone can play their part and give from the heart.
Why give to the William C. Probsting Scholarship Fund?
Thank you to everyone who contributed during the Challenge, which ended June 30th, 2024. We met our donor's challenge and received over $100,000 in a matching gift.
Learn more about Mr. Probsting and why donating to this fund will continue to honor his memory while supporting students in the school he loved so dearly.
William C. Probsting passed away Monday, September 20th, 2021. To his many students and their parents, he served as principal of Westfield Friends School from 1974-2013. He and his family were longtime residents of Riverton, NJ. His grandmother and great aunt both attended Westfield Friends in the 19th century. His family helped him keep the school in operation after a devastating fire in 1977.
Westfield alums remember cutting Christmas trees with Mr. Probsting. They attribute to him their love of art. As he shared his passion for history and current events, students came to understand the world beyond their South Jersey home. He led the school through a period of growth and strength where school lore holds that families would call him to ask to reserve a spot in the PreK for their newborn child. He helped the faculty create programs that remain beloved within the program today, including the Buddies Program, Monday Gathering, Looking at Art, Quaker Fridays, and Meeting for Singing. He foresaw the importance of hands-on science for Middle School students and the readiness of Kindergarten students for formal instruction in reading and writing. He believed every student should grow in comfort with public speaking through regular performances in plays and opportunities for giving speeches.
Most importantly, Mr. Probsting lived his Quaker belief that every person has that of God within them -- that every person is an expression of the Divine. Alums know that he sought to cultivate their gifts. Further, he knew within himself that his role was to nurture that of God from within himself in service to the Westfield Friends community. Everyone always felt loved, seen, and known by him. Generous in spirit, Mr. Probsting always put others first. He epitomized the servant leader.
Westfield alums remember cutting Christmas trees with Mr. Probsting. They attribute to him their love of art. As he shared his passion for history and current events, students came to understand the world beyond their South Jersey home. He led the school through a period of growth and strength where school lore holds that families would call him to ask to reserve a spot in the PreK for their newborn child. He helped the faculty create programs that remain beloved within the program today, including the Buddies Program, Monday Gathering, Looking at Art, Quaker Fridays, and Meeting for Singing. He foresaw the importance of hands-on science for Middle School students and the readiness of Kindergarten students for formal instruction in reading and writing. He believed every student should grow in comfort with public speaking through regular performances in plays and opportunities for giving speeches.
Most importantly, Mr. Probsting lived his Quaker belief that every person has that of God within them -- that every person is an expression of the Divine. Alums know that he sought to cultivate their gifts. Further, he knew within himself that his role was to nurture that of God from within himself in service to the Westfield Friends community. Everyone always felt loved, seen, and known by him. Generous in spirit, Mr. Probsting always put others first. He epitomized the servant leader.
Employer Matching Gift Program
Many employers offer a matching gift program as an HR benefit, to their employees, employees' spouses, and retired employees. If your company has a matching gift program, it could double or even triple your gift! Contact your company's Human Resources officer to determine whether or not they participate in a matching gift program or simply check here first:
Special Event Gifts to Support our Responsive Tuition Program
Set apart from the the Fund for Westfield Friends School, consider attending and giving to our annual Golf Event and A Taste of Our Towns restaurant event. These are times for our Westfield community to come together in support of the School's Responsive Tuition Program, which is designed to remove tuition as a barrier to families considering our school.
Legacy Gifts / Planned Giving
Legacy gifts and planned giving are a lasting way to show your commitment to Westfield’s future and mission. These provide a permanent source of funds for employee compensation and tuition assistance. An outright bequest naming Westfield Friends School as a beneficiary in your will is one type of legacy gift, others include charitable gift annuities, life insurance policies, remainder trusts, appreciated securities (stocks, bonds, or mutual fund shares), and additional kinds of deferred giving. Planned gifts are designed to help donors enhance their tax planning, investment objectives, and retirement needs. Please consult with your financial advisor, tax consultant or attorney and let us know of your intentions to support Westfield through a planned gift.
The majestic Copper Beech tree that graced Westfield Friends School’s campus became a natural symbol of the school. Westfield’s literary publication was named The Copper Beech because the tree represents learning, understanding, nurturance, protection, and the preservation of written knowledge.
Westfield Friends School recognizes those who preserve, protect, and nurture the school by including Westfield in their planned giving by including them in the Copper Beech Circle. Donors who commit to Westfield with a planned gift today, help the school nurture learning and understanding for our children, grandchildren, and future generations.Planned Giving Explained
Speak to your financial professional for more information or to learn more about your options, please contact Mimi Blackwell, Director of Philanthropic Services at Friends Fiduciary. (tel: 267-886-1982 | email: [email protected])
Gifts-In-Kind
Westfield Friends welcomes donations of goods, services, and equipment that support the school. Please contact the Head of School to inquire about current needs that the school may have. A tax deduction letter will be sent to the individual or corporation making the in-kind donation.
Westfield Friends School is a registered 501(c)(3) organization.
EIN #20-0994702
WAYS TO GIVEBy Credit Card or Bank
Direct debit processing
via our secure SafeSafe Payment Services account
(click above)
___________
By Check
Make check payable to
Westfield Friends School
and mail to:
Westfield Friends School
Attn: Development
2201 Riverton Road
Cinnaminson, NJ
08077
Recurring donations can be made online or with this form:
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"Westfield Friends School gave our daughter, Rachel (class of 2012), a phenomenal start. We will always be grateful for the outstanding education she received in a kind and nurturing environment."
"I give so my daughter can continue to experience this nurturing and kind community as I did growing up there."
"Westfield has touched and is touching almost all of my family at one time or the other. Thank you"
"I got a WONDERFUL education at Westfield, and would like to help other kids get the same"
"The values the school instilled in me have informed my progressive values and bias towards social justice."
"Westfield has a diverse student population and is committed to increasing that. I am impressed by how well the students are supported -how relaxed and at ease they seem. My granddaughter enjoyed it!"
"I can’t imagine our lives without Westfield. The staff and community has provided a solid education and foundation for my daughter."
"Westfield is a fantastic organization, full of devoted and caring professionals."
"I gave because Quaker education was a catalyst in my academic career."
"We give to Westfield Friends School because we are impressed with the dedication of the teachers and staff and want to support the mission of the school."
"Westfield is very special to us and our children."
"I give because both our sons had a wonderful ten years there."
"Honoring the small Friends Schools and with a tribute to the leadership of Margaret and the School Committee"
"Love Westfield always.My education at Westfield made me a better person."
"Glad to give back to WFS since I went there and graduated in 1965."
"We love Westfield and the amazing care and education our daughter has experienced. Thank you."
"Thanks for teaching me how to think--and for continuing to do that for the next 63 years for other kids."