Nurturing a Culture of Giving

People who give generously often start by giving in small, meaningful ways. They offer spare change or donate a toy during the holidays. They understand that small gestures can have big impacts.

When I first started working for Oakwood School, I saw an opportunity to nurture the giving culture. Oakwood families, many of whom choose our school because of our specialized support for students with learning differences, are known to be givers. They give their time, their talents, and their hearts each and every day. They believe in Oakwood's mission and our ability to help shape the future of their children’s lives. Their belief in us is the foundation for our culture of philanthropy.

When I developed the Oakwood School Annual Fund Team Challenge, it created an opportunity for families to get involved in a philanthropic initiative that directly supports our programs for students with language-based learning disabilities.

We focused not on the size of each gift, but on creating space for every family to participate in a way that felt meaningful to them. By the end of the 2023-2024 school year, over half of Oakwood School families contributed to the Annual Fund, totaling $23,700.

This school year, we built upon the enthusiasm from 2024 and let it soar. Following our second Oakwood School Annual Fund Team Challenge, we received $82,300 in donations, as 73% of current families contributed what they could.

In just one year, we expanded our giving community by 40%, with donations ranging from $10 to $15,000 supporting technology enhancements, tuition assistance, and teacher professional development, enriching the learning experience of our students who learn differently. 

Every gift, no matter the amount, is a meaningful part of something bigger. When we come together to support our school community, the ripple effect of that generosity reaches farther than we can measure.

Join the culture of giving at Oakwood School and support students who learn differently with a contribution to the Oakwood School Annual Fund.