The Wellington Fund Committee Toolkit

Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Goal: Broad participation across all grades and affinity groups, 100% participation from the current parent and caregiver community.

Wellington's culture of innovation is elevated by community. The Wellington Fund gives generous donors the opportunity to elevate the experience of today's students through an annual gift.  

What is the goal of Day of Giving?
To encourage widespread, visible support for The Wellington Fund across families, alumni, and friends—showing our collective belief in Wellington’s mission.

Does my outreach need to be formal?
Not at all. The most effective messages are warm, personal, and authentic. You're simply inviting others to join you. 

What if someone already gave?
Say thank you! Gratitude goes a long way in reinforcing community spirit.

1. What if a family asks why they should give when they already pay tuition?

This is a great question—and a common one! You can simply say:

“Tuition gets us in the door. The Wellington Fund helps make this place exceptional. It supports great teachers, innovative programs, and tuition assistance. It’s how we invest in the school experience we all want for our kids.”

You can also emphasize that Wellington is a nonprofit school, and philanthropy is how we continue to grow without passing every cost directly to families.

2. What should I say if someone asks how much they’re supposed to give?

Wellington Fund giving is 100% about participation, not pressure. You can say:

“Every gift matters, no matter the size. What’s most important is that we all take part—our goal is 100% parent participation.”

Encourage them to give something meaningful to their family. Leadership-level giving is critical, but so is broad participation—it shows collective support for the school.

3. What if someone already gave earlier this year?

If a family gave before Day of Giving, that absolutely counts! They don’t need to give again, but we do want to make sure their participation is recorded and recognized.

You can say:

“That’s great—you’re all set! We’re just working to track participation ahead of Day of Giving so we can thank everyone properly.”

4. How do I make sure someone’s gift is counted?

Have them give through wellington.org/give or by emailing Elissa directly with their pledge. If they’re unsure, you can offer to check with the Advancement team.

5. What if a family wants to give through the Ohio SGO program instead?

That’s great news—but you should clarify the difference:

“The SGO supports tuition assistance and offers a state tax credit, but it can’t fund faculty or programs. The Wellington Fund is the school’s top priority because it gives Wellington flexibility to support everything our students need. Some families choose to give to both!”

If they want more info, send them to wellington.org/SGO.

6. What if I get a question I don’t know how to answer?

Easy—just connect them with Elissa Francis (francis@wellington.org). You’re not expected to have all the answers. Your job is to be a friendly, approachable connection and to help get families excited about supporting the school.

7. What's the most important thing I can do as a volunteer?

• Reach out personally to your assigned families—text, call, email, or catch them at school.
• Make your own gift early to lead by example.
• Celebrate participation—even if it’s a small gift, it means a lot.

You’re helping us build a culture of philanthropy and connection at Wellington. And that has a lasting impact.

Subject: Help Us Hit 100% for The Wellington Fund

Hi [First Name],

I’m reaching out as a fellow Wellington parent and volunteer for The Wellington Fund’s Day of Giving on Tuesday, November 18. Our goal is to reach 100% participation from current families—and we’re so close.

Every gift, no matter the size, helps Wellington fund what matters most: exceptional teachers, student experiences, and the kind of programs that make this school so special.

If you haven’t had a chance to give yet, you can do so easily right here:
Give Now [Your advocate link]

Thanks so much for considering a gift. Participation really does make a difference!

Warmly,
[Your Name]
Grade-Level Rep – The Wellington Fund Committee

Hi [Name]! This is [Your Name], a fellow Wellington parent. Just a quick reminder that Tuesday is Day of Giving! Every gift to The Wellington Fund—big or small—helps us reach 100% family participation. You can give here: [Your giving link] Thanks so much!

Hi [First Name], it’s [Your Name]—I’m a fellow Wellington parent and volunteering with The Wellington Fund this year.

I just wanted to personally reach out ahead of Day of Giving on November 18. We’re aiming for 100% parent participation, and we’re really close. Your support—at any level—would make a big difference.

All gifts go to the programs that matter most to our kids—great teachers, engaging experiences, and the flexibility to do more for students.

You can give quickly online at https://www.wellington.org/give, or I’m happy to answer any questions if you'd like to talk more.

Thanks so much for being part of the Wellington community!