Blacksmith Annual Fund

Blacksmith Annual Fund = Blacksmith GIVING DAYS!

Donate Now!

The Blacksmith Annual Fund (BAF) is the Foundation’s most important fundraising initiative. Each year, our community comes together to achieve a financial goal set by the Town of Westlake to support the school's operating budget. For the 2024-25 school year our Blacksmith fundraising goal is $1.25M. The school is counting on this money to provide students with an exceptional IB education. We need YOUR help today! 

ALL THE WAYS TO GIVE!

CHECK

  • Great method, no fees!
  • Mail to WAF or drop off in the front office by 9/19 (Mail to: WAF Attn: Dr. Shelly Myers, 2600 Ottinger Road, Westlake, TX 76262)
  • Make payable to Westlake Academy Foundation

CREDIT CARD

  • Use the card that gives you the most points/miles!
  • Pay in full or set up monthly recurring payments
  • Donate securely on our website now through 9/19 or through the North Texas Giving Day site beginning Sept. 1 

ACH/BANK DRAFT or WIRE TRANSFER

  • Pay in full or set up monthly recurring payments
  • Contact the Foundation office to initiate donation process

STOCK

  • Appreciated stock, bond, or other security gifted to Westlake Academy Foundation
  • Email Shelly in WAF office with your gift intentions, including ## of shares and name of stock ; indicate below account info
  • Click here for account info and more details 

CORPORATE MATCHING GIFT

  • Connect with your HR department to see if your company will match part or all of your family’s donation!
  • Let us know if your gift + match will come directly from your employer – OR – if we should be on the lookout for an online or paper form to verify your donation

 

Blacksmith Annual Fund = Blacksmith GIVING DAYS NOW - 9/19!

Blacksmith Giving Day is September 19th!  Donate NOW – midnight on Thursday, 9/19!

The Foundation conducts the Blacksmith Annual Fund (BAF) campaign on behalf of the Academy for two key reasons:

1)    WA is a charter school, which Texas gives less money to versus traditional ISDs

2)    an IB education simply requires more resources, supplies and curriculum enhancements.

 

 

To close this funding gap and maintain the Academy’s top-tier, elite educational experience, we look to each WA family to give their most generous contribution. Gifts range from $50 - $50,000. Give the standard $2,500/student or fill the true gap and increase to $3,100/student.  Whatever the amount, donate the best that your budget can afford.  Each child at WA deserves for this year – whatever grade they’re in – to be the best year possible!

Our biggest fundraising initiative for the Blacksmith Fund takes advantage of the annual North Texas Giving Day (NTGD) event. We call NTGD “Blacksmith Giving Days” as a fun way to unite our community and encourage strong participation. Plan NOW so that your family’s pledge or donation is received by midnight on September 19, 2024. Students and teachers are depending on every one of us!

Quick Links

 

A Little Bit of History...

In the 11 years that the Foundation has participated in North Texas Giving Day, history tells us that our WA community:

  1. enjoys friendly competition,
  2. loves a challenge, and
  3. takes care of business and moves on!

Over the past five years, families and corporate friends have donated an average of 88% ofeach year’s BAF goal – regardless of the goal amount. You show up BIG on Giving Day for our Blacksmiths.

Fun fact! In case you’re wondering, our best-ever Giving Day was on 9/22/22 when 419 donors gave an incredible $1,179,147 – 107% of the FY23 goal! And then from 9/23/22 – 8/31/23, just $21,000 more was donated. Our donors clearly like to get ‘er done on Blacksmith Giving Day!

Check out our YouTube Channel to learn more about the Blacksmith Annual Fund and more!

https://www.youtube.com/user/WAFoundation/videos

If the Foundation could only do ONE THING, it would be the BLACKSMITH ANNUAL FUND (BAF). Blacksmith contributions cover daily operational costs like teacher salaries and benefits (we must take care of our teachers!), technology upgrades, art materials, science lab supplies…all the important must-have’s to run Westlake Academy. Because the BAF is such a critical initiative, it’s worth a closer look at what you may think vs. what really is! 

MYTH: I have to give by October 31st. 
FACT: BAF kicks off with Giving Day, with the "official" campaign running from Oct. 1-31. Of course, contributions and pledges are welcome year-round. We have the month-long "push" early in the school year, so the Academy has an idea of how much it can count on and plan accordingly. Give whenever works best for you! 

MYTH: My entire gift needs to be paid now. 
FACT: Pledge now, pay later – just let us know! Spread it out and make monthly credit card or auto bank drafts…give when your work bonus or tax refund comes in…use whatever method is most convenient for your family (simply fulfill by June 30th). 

MYTH: I have to give $2,500 per student. 
FACT: That is the requested amount, but ALL gifts in ALL amounts are IMPORTANT and APPRECIATED! Contribute the greatest amount that you would feel really good about putting toward your student's education! Parent participation at some level is expected; 100% parent support is always our goal! 

MYTH: Everyone will know how much we donate. 
FACT: Gift amounts are CONFIDENTIAL; just the WAF office staff (i.e., Julie and Shelly) knows how much each family donates. Only your name will be included on our donor lists published in weekly eBlasts, carline signage, Simply Westlake, the WA yearbook, and other formats (unless you elect to remain anonymous, but we hope you’ll allow us to recognize and celebrate you!). 

Our school truly needs every family to donate. An Academy education would be so very different without parent contributions! Thank you for keeping the Academy Advantage!