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FAQs
THE WAKEFIELD HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION FOUNDATION, INC.
1. What is it? A public charity established by several Wakefield graduates as a non-profit Corporation in Virginia in September of 1986.
2. Are contributions tax deductible? Yes. The Foundation’s status as a public charity has been formally recognized by the
Internal Revenue Service.
3. Where does it get its funds? Funds are raised annually by soliciting Alumni of Wakefield High School as well as present and former teachers and staff and hopefully from residents of the Wakefield attendance area.
4. Can contributions be made through the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign? Yes. The Wakefield Foundation can be designated in the United Way Campaigns and the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), as well as through America’s Charities, Inc. Its United Way designation number is 8707 and CFC number is 66600.
5. What does the Foundation do with the funds? It provides college scholarships to deserving Wakefield graduates.
6. How much are the scholarships? The scholarships are $8,000 - paid out at the rate of $1,000 per semester and beginning in 2010, $3,000 scholarships were given to students attending Northern Virginia Community College.
7. How is the number of scholarships determined? In general, the number of scholarships is determined by the amount raised prior to the May selection meeting. If $112,000 is raised, then fourteen $8,000 scholarships can be awarded that year. Sometimes, as this past year, special recognition scholarships of $500 are awarded to students who have received very significant scholarships from other sources.
8. How are the recipients selected? A Committee consisting of about seven alumni from different classes and a faculty representative reviews the applications and selects the scholars.
9. What are the expenses of the Foundation? The expenses are basically limited to printing and mailing the newsletter (at the bulk non-profit rate). All work is done by volunteers.
10. How much money has been given by the Foundation? As of June 2011, the Foundation has given $1,238,169 to 244 scholars.
11. Who manages the Foundation? There are currently thirteen Trustees: ten Alumni, a local resident, a former Principal and the current Principal of Wakefield, who is automatically an ex officio member of the Board. As well there are volunteers who serve as a contact with each class of scholars, help organize special events, raise funds, produce the annual newsletter and review applications for the Hall of Fame. To volunteer your time, contact information@wakefieldalumni.org.
12. Why support the Wakefield Foundation? Together we can make a difference for some of the young people who are growing up in south Arlington and attending Wakefield High School. The concept is that there have been 52 graduating classes from Wakefield and more than 20,000 alumni. If some percentage of the alumni, as well as teachers and parents of students and graduates, and residents of the Wakefield attendance area, would be willing to contribute to the Foundation annually, we can have a big impact. Be a part of it.
14. Where can I get additional information? Write to:
Wakefield High School Education Foundation
PO Box 41675,
Arlington, VA 22204
or email the Foundation President Conchita Saulmon Mitchell '66 at information@wakefieldalumni.org.
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