WPELC aims to keep tuition low and affordable. We intentionally budget our income below our expenses, with the expectation that families will participate in fundraising throughout the year.
A mix of fundraising initiatives – some required and some optional – directly fund school operational costs and are vital to our school’s financial health.
Annual Fundraising Programs
- Grocery Card Program (Required of all Early Learner and Preschool Families): Reloadable grocery cards are an easy way to contribute to our school through everyday purchases at King Soopers or Safeway. For every $100 spent using a WPELC-connected grocery card, $5 goes to the school. WPELC families are required to spend a minimum amount on grocery cards per month or pay a buyout.
- Fundraising Partnerships: WPELC partners with businesses looking to donate a percentage of sales to school. These partnerships are advertised throughout the school year and have included businesses like Mabel’s Labels, Tea Collection, and Minted.
- Terracycle Pouch Recycling: Through the Terracycle program, we collect squeezable snack food pouches (i.e., GoGoSqueeze, Plum Organics, etc.) and send them off to be recycled. Terracycle gives money back to the school for every shipment we send in. All brands are accepted, but pouches need to be empty and include the lid.
Annual Fundraising Events
- Annual Spring Auction (Required of all Early Learner and Preschool Families): Our annual auction is a fun and social event that gives families the opportunity to create connections while simultaneously fundraising for the school. All families are required to participate in securing items for the silent or live auction or pay a buyout. The auction is our biggest fundraiser of the year and earns nearly half of our annual fundraising budget.
- Fall Festival: This family-friendly fall event focuses on community building and raising money for the school. The event includes trick-or-treating for our students run by our wonderful staff as well as fun raffles, wine pull, live music, games, and more.
- Dine Outs and Shopping Events: WPELC partners with local restaurants and retail stores to provide opportunities to fit giving to our school into things you already do. Occurring regularly throughout the year, we work with local businesses to donate a portion of sales on a particular evening to our school. These events also provide a great opportunity to connect with other WPELC families.
Raising money above our operational costs helps us do even more.
Our fundraising programs are designed to close the gap between school income and expenses. Surpassing that means that we can better support our amazing teachers and staff through bonuses and raises as well as fund future projects.
For questions regarding fundraising programs and efforts, please contact our WPELC Volunteer Board Fundraising Chair at fundraising@wpelc.org.