Community Giving
Our Community Giving campaigns offer equitable opportunities for everyone to participate in supporting our schools.
Community Giving
Our Community Giving campaigns offer equitable opportunities for everyone to participate in supporting our schools.
What & Why of Community Giving
Our schools reach out to our community members to raises funds throughout the year to support our operating budget. We call this type of fundraising Community Giving.
Community Giving enables CWC schools to secure necessary funding to fully implement the unique CWC Learning Model, maintain small class sizes, provide our students with mindfulness classes, teaching associates, and support students as they build skills needed to lead across lines of difference, and work towards serving as true citizens of the world.
100% of funding raised through Community Giving stays at the schools to support a student’s education.
Elementary Grades (varies by school)
- Music
- Visual Arts
- Performing Arts
- Spanish/Multicultural Classes
- Smaller Class Sizes
- Teaching Restorative and Social Justice
- Student Leadership
- Staff Professional Development
- Teacher Coaching
- Mindfulness and Meditation
- Conflict Resolution
- Family Workshops
Middle Grades (varies by school)
- Art and Physical Education
- Spanish
- STEM
- Clubs Centered on Student Interests
- Smaller Class Sizes
- “ROOTS” Advisory
- Multicultural Studies
- 1:1 Tech Devices for All Students
- Affinity Groups to Explore DEIB
- Identity Formation and Family Workshops
- Mindfulness & Mental Health Wellness
- Restorative and Social Justice
- High School Enrollment & Admissions Counseling
What does Community Giving cover?
100% of every dollar raised through our school’s community giving directly supports programs at CWC LA schools. CWC LA schools are non-profit, public charter schools. The base of our funding comes from the government. Community giving dollars support programs that cannot be funded by government dollars alone, and help us implement the three core pillars of our model that develop students to thrive in our diverse society and be leaders in their communities.
Note: All donations to CWC LA schools are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Government Funding
- Core staff
- Basic technology
- Support for English Learners, Special Education & Specialized Programs
- Common Core Curriculum (English, History, Math)
- Basic facilities
Community Giving
- Enriched Education – Music, Art, Spanish, PE
- Innovative Teaching – Project Based Learning
- Smaller Student-to-Teacher ratios
- Student Centered – Mindfulness; Social & Emotional Learning; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion & Belonging
Core Academics
Our students possess deep critical thinking and cognitive skills through project-based learning, rigorous academics and staff development.
Social Emotional
Development
Our learners develop empathy, self-efficacy and collaboration skills through mindfulness and self regulation activities that support their holistic development.
Diversity & Inclusion
Our students are prepared to thrive in our diverse society and in a global economy while respecting and celebrating our differences.
How does Community Giving support our organizational budget?
Below is a sample of how funds raised get spent in our budget across different areas.
40%
A holistic education
Music, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Spanish
2%
Family Workshops
Caregiver education on mindfulness, DEIB, parenting and child-brain development
25%
Innovative teaching
Specialized staff professional development and teacher coaching
18%
Smaller teacher-to-student ratios
A portion of Teaching Associates’ salaries
15%
Inquiry units that reflect current affairs and student interests
Books, curricula and materials to support project-based learning
Meaningful & Intentional Giving
Instead of making multiple small requests for funds throughout the school year, we intentionally hold three larger giving opportunities. These Community Giving campaigns are designed to give CWC families, extended friends and family, and our greater community the opportunity to invest in our students educational experience. These events ask for support in different ways and provide fun, equitable opportunities for everyone to participate.
Campaign Overviews
To fund the entire CWC program, we ask each family to participate in community giving events throughout the year to ensure that we can meet our budget goals. Many schools ask for money in small increments multiple times during the school year. We make every effort to streamline our fundraising activities and to make them meaningful, community-building experiences. On occasion, in addition to our fundraising campaigns, classroom teachers may ask parents to contribute donated materials needed for their classroom.
Our campaigns, described in more detail below:
- Annual Family Give
- Walk-A-Thon/Move-A-Thon
- Spring Auction
- Community Socials
- Dine Out
- Pick A Party
Annual Family Give
Timing: Fall
The Annual Family Give is our biggest fundraiser of the year. AFG is primarily geared towards our internal families to make one-time or recurring monthly donations throughout the school year. We additionally welcome donations from external family members (grandparents, aunts, uncles, family friends, etc.) and employer matching gifts.
Thons
Timing: Spring
Our Thon events are fun student-centered fundraisers in which all of our students walk, run, or move in their own way with the support of the entire community. This is a peer-to-peer fundraiser where each student has their own fundraising page and can invite friends and family to donate to their individual fundraising page to support their CWC school. The campaign culminates in a lively in-school event where students move their bodies outside to music and cheering from family and staff – it’s a great community event!
Spring Auction & Celebrations
Timing: Late Spring
The Spring Auction pulls together donations and items from a variety of businesses, families, and everything in between. Auction items can include gift cards to restaurants and businesses, services from businesses, donated items, and vacation rentals that are donated to the school. There is usually an event in the Spring along with the auction where parents and families join together to celebrate and support our schools.
Community Socials
Pick-A-Party
Community Socials are smaller gatherings hosted by CWC families. We sell “tickets” to these events and 100% of the funds come straight back to the school. The host family or families cover the expenses for the event. Examples include family bingo night, chili cook offs, family movie night in the backyard, caregivers’ night out at a local restaurant, or dinner with the principal. The possibilities are endless and it’s a great way to build community.
Dine Outs
Dine Outs are a great way to engage local businesses, join together in the community, and support your school all at the same time. We thank businesses like Sonny’s Ice Cream, Shakey’s, Chipotle, Panda Express, Pitfire Pizza, and more for their partnership.
Email giving@cwclosangeles.org to host.
Corporate/Business Sponsorship
We are proud of the recognition and support that our work has garnered from some of the leading funders, investors, and civic leaders from across the country.
Visit CWC Support to find out more about our: Capital Campaigns, Stock Donations, Corporate Match, Banner Program, and Annual Gala Sponsorship.
Donate to a CWC School Today!
