2016-17philanthropy report

Ethics • Ecology • Excellence

The Green Gala • The Willow Fund

Gifts-in-Kind • Alumni society donAtions

Our Mission:The Willow School is a small, independent school that helps children grow into self-motivated, well-informed, upstanding scholars who think for themselves and take responsibility for their actions in our world. Willow helps children discover who they are, the joy of learning, and the

wonder of the environment around them.

Willow at a Glance

80

126

2016-17 Enrollment

Students

Families

Geographic Diversity

Map created with Scribble Maps

Photo by Erin Kiernan

= The Willow School location

Willow students come from 31 communities.

Dear Willow Community,As you will read in the pages that follow, more than 150 people made the decision to support

The Willow School in 2016-17. A majority of those donors pay a Willow tuition. A great number of donors used to pay a Willow tuition, and now may well pay another school’s tuition. All of our donors had a staggering number of worthy causes from which to choose to direct their charitable giving. You chose Willow because you deeply believe in the value of our work and the promise of this school community. You also gave because you understand how vital your generous support and stewardship is to this unique school’s future. I am grateful to all of you for your sense of ownership and responsibility as members of The Willow School community. Thanks to you: • 86% of the Willow parent body donated to Willow. The National Association of Independent Schools’ median for day schools is 67%.

• 94% of the Faculty and Staff contributed to the Willow Fund. • 100% of the Board of Trustees contributed to the Willow Fund. • For the second consecutive year, the tuition assistance paddle raiser at the Green Gala raised more than $30,000. • Parent and Trustee volunteers were critical to the success of both the Willow Fund and the Green Gala. • The Willow Alumni Society was launched at our Green Gala and will make its presence known far and wide as our second class of college graduates enters their senior year.

Your enthusiastic support is attracting attention from many new families and new donors. You are a part of something that cannot be matched. Thank you, and congratulations.

Sincerely,

Jerry LoewenHead of School

Dear Willow Families and Friends,As the President of the Willow Board of Trustees, I truly appreciate the generosity of the Willow

community. To provide its students with the remarkable education in which we all so strongly believe, The Willow School relies on the steadfast support of its community. Donations of “time, talent, and treasure” from current families, alumni, the Parents’ Association, the Board of Trustees, local friends, and distant acquaintances make it possible for The Willow School, and its students, to grow and thrive.

The 2016-17 Philanthropy Report report recognizes and thanks our wide group of supporters for helping to make The Willow School a leader in the field of private, independent Pre-K through 8th grade education. In 2017-18 and beyond, the unwavering generosity of our community will

allow The Willow School to continue to nurture and educate the next generation of caring problem solvers – our children. My dedicated fellow trustees and I thank you for positively impacting the lives of Willow students. What a wonderful use of

our time and finances. I look forward to continuing to shape Willow’s exciting future with you.With gratitude and thanks, I am sincerely yours,

Cynthia D. RichardsPresident of the Board

Letter from the President of the Board

Letter from the Head of School

The Willow School • 1

PATRONS ($10,000+)The Bay Branch FoundationThe Boye Foundation, Inc.Pearl BiedronAnne and John DuffyThe Gilder FoundationVirginia JamesBetty Wold JohnsonChristy JohnsonGretchen and James JohnsonSandra Freas and Michael KeeganJan Cailles and Glenn Likus Maggie and Robert RappJennifer and Kamran RafieyanCynthia and Andrew RichardsSusan and Frank VellaSuzanne and Roger WittDominique and David Wolfe

BENEFACTORS ($5,000+)Chubb (Matching Funds)Megan and Robert ClarkHilary La Forge and Kevin DuffyDuke Farms Foundation

SPONSORS ($2,500+)Jackie and Scott AlfieriElizabeth and Patrick ArangioGregg AuerbachThe Atlantic FoundationKyle ContiTracey and John CrimiNancy Wolff and Neil Grossman Mid-Shore Community Foundation, Inc.Maria Parella and James PizzaleElizabeth and Reuben RichardsBarbara and Tom Thuren

ADVOCATES ($1,000+)Loring BiedronMark BiedronKristina and Brendan BinderBlack River Wealth ManagementEmily and William CarifaCasey ContiGeorgiana and Scott DepewBette and Eric DonofrioSheila and David DonovanTrey Donovan Will DonovanExxonMobil (Matching Funds)Fidelity CharitableCynthia and Neil FlanaganSusan and David GibbonsBethlyn Krakauer and Scott GriffinKori and Jonathan KalaferKalkin Family Foundation, Inc.Jamie Lee and David LeongJessica and Jason LevyLois and Richard LibrettiRosalia and Richard LibrettiJudit Duran and Eduard LlanasCherie Yueh and Man Kit NgNovartis (Matching Funds)Macaire Pace and Charles OwenOlivia and Attila PaladiBeth and Sam PaoneMegan and Alex RubanoJustine and Niels SchuurmansNoelani and Mary ScottonKelly and Mark Traudt

SUPPORTERS ($500+)The Benevity Community Impact Fund (Matching Funds)Linda and Sean CowperthwaiteJessica and George GolumbeskiJessica and Steven GraffKathy and Bill HoffmanJessica and Andrew KatchenKate and Jerry LoewenAmy WiehlJon Wolfe

FRIENDSEniko AaronMarion and Ross AlfieriSandra AmaralAmanda ArnoldMonica and Ryan BarberJane and Herb BardavidLeeann BartushakMarland BerghornTracey and Scott BiedronLynn and Phillip BiscoMeg BrandtSusan Stevenson and Jeffrey BravsteinElizabeth and Miller BugliariMichael CarelliNancy CarsonThe Chicago Community TrustDavilynn and John Cowperthwaite Margaret and William CroninAndrea and Rowland DickensGayle and Greg DiGioacchinoJennifer and Steve DiGiacomoElaine and Joe DonofrioShannon DowneyMeagan Coy and Mitchell Epstein

Willow School Community of Donors 2016-17

2 • The Willow School

Willow School Community of Donors 2016-17

FRIENDS (continued) Charlotte and Phillip EscaravageErin Kiernan and Jason FrigerioCarol FontaineEster and Frank GavinDonna and Joe GlattAnna and Phillip GranielloMary and Edwin HartmanJewel and Reid HausmannCharlie HeurichHidden Pond FoundationKaren and Kurt HildeKeri and William HinshawDanielle and Robert HolmesCole HonsArt HopperJennifer HuffKaren and David IngreyLori and Ian JonesJennifer and Andy JuddDeb KalishJulie and Jay KaminskiJulie KimCecilia and Bill KlauseAnn and Carl KlemmeKristen and Brace KragPaul KleinheiderEmmett KresgeGina LeffertsJay LeVasseurLiliana LisbaoJacqueline Glass and Joseph LoFaroKatherine LombardoLord Abbett and Co. (Matching Fund)Catherine LuborskyZohar Kfir and Lisa Lynch

Suzzanne MahoneyKeith MannDaniel MendezAudrey and John MeyerChristine and Jack MeyerSarah MillerMarissa MizeskiSally Zeiner and Dave MorrishNourish to Flourish, LLCTasha OdomKerri O’MalleyJulie and John OsborneDaniel PagaduanSusan PalmerPamela Nardone and William PaladiniElizabeth ParellaSarah and Edward PenaAndrew PruzickTennille and Tayari RaneyEllen and William ReedSam RichardsLinda RitthalerDeb and Rob Russ

The Willow School • 3

The Gilder FoundationKathy and Bill HoffmanVirginia JamesMaggie and Robert Rapp

NJ SEEDS Scholarship DonationsRaised $40,500 for SEEDS Tuition Assistance & Support

NJ SEEDS is a non-profit organization that prepares motivated, high-achieving, low-income students for admission to private schools and colleges across the country. The Willow School welcomed its first SEEDS students in the fall of 2016. Willow absorbs between 95% and 100% of tuition expense for these students, as well as the cost of transportation and extracurricular activities.

Maria SabaAneta SakowskiMaria and Anthony SblendorioAlison and Adam ScherrHeather and Paul SchofieldAmy SchwartzSusan Chromiak and Geoffrey SillKate SnyderDeborah Herman and Jeffrey SteinhornLaura Forrest and Alex StopkaAmy SwensonJulie and John ThompsonDenise TouheyTom TrueJill and John TurpinMary Bly and Alessandro VettoriKathleen WardJohn Wheatley, Jr.Vicki and Richard WidthThomas WilliamsLee and Chris WolfeThe Willow School Parents’ Association

Jackie and Scott AlfieriGregg AuerbachLeeann BartushakLoring BiedronMark BiedronCasey ContiGayle and Greg DiGioacchinoHilary La Forge and Kevin DuffyBethlyn Krakauer and Scott GriffinCharlie HeurichChristy Johnson

Green Gala Paddle Raise Raised $33,590 for Tuition Assistance

Kori and Jonathan KalaferJessica and Andrew KatchenSandra Freas and Michael KeeganRosalia and Richard LibrettiJan Cailles and Glenn LikusLiliana LisbaoKate and Jerry LoewenKeith MannSusan PalmerBeth and Sam PaoneJennifer and Kamran Rafieyan

4 • The Willow School

Giving Tree Donations

Susan Stevenson and Jeffrey BravsteinEmily and William CarifaMegan and Robert ClarkKyle ContiBethlyn Krakauer and Scott Griffin

Jennifer HuffPaul KleinheiderRosalia and Richard LibrettiZohar Kfir and Lisa LynchDaniel Mendez

Cynthia and Andrew RichardsElizabeth and Reuben RichardsDeb and Rob RussAlison and Adam ScherrNoelani and Mary ScottonDeborah Herman and Jeffrey SteinhornKelly and Mark TraudtTom TrueDominique and David WolfeJon Wolfe

Beth and Sam PaoneCynthia and Andrew RichardsElizabeth RichardsDeborah Herman and Jeffrey SteinhornThe Willow School Parents’ Association

Special Classroom Support

Advanced Performance and Rehabilitation Center, LLC

American Endowment FoundationGregg AuerbachBlack River Wealth ManagementCasey ContiKyle Conti Construction, LLCEmily Carifa

Megan and Robert ClarkTracey and John CrimiBette and Eric DonofrioHilary La Forge and Kevin DuffyJessica and Steven GraffJamie Lee and David Leong GS Likus Design BuildJudit Duran and Eduard Llanas

Cherie Yueh and Man Kit NgOlivia and Atilla PaladiJennifer and Kamran RafieyanCynthia and Andrew Richards Barbara and Tom ThurenDominique and David Wolfe

Raised $35,500 for Special Classroom Support

Zohar Kfir and Lisa LynchSuzzanne MahoneyLouise McDonaldMarissa PisanoMaria and Anthony SblendorioNoelani and Mary ScottonThomas WilliamsLee and Chris WolfeDonald A. Wood Jr. The Willow School Parents’ Association

Elizabeth and Patrick ArangioIan AuerbachBack to NatureBlack River JournalIngrid and Bill BoehlEmily and William CarifaMegan and Robert ClarkNancy EllisCharlotte and Phillip EscaravageClucas Farms

Gift-in-Kind & Library Book Donations

Sandra FreasBethlyn Krakauer and Scott GriffinNancy Wolfe and Neil GrossmanKaren IngreyCecilia and Bill Klause Erin KlemmeHilary La ForgeLois and Richard LibrettiGS Likus Design BuildGina Lefferts

Jackie and Scott AlfieriSandra AmaralJane and Herb BardavidMark BeidronPearl Biedron Kristina and Brendan BinderIngrid and Bill BoehlIsabelle and William BoyeSusan Stevenson and Jeffrey Bravstein Emily and William Carifa Megan and Robert ClarkCasey ContiKyle Conti Davilynn and John CowperthwaiteMargaret and William CroninGeorgiana and Scott DepewHilary La Forge and Kevin Duffy Meagan Coy and Mitchell Epstein Jessica and Steven GraffJewel and Reid Hausmann

Karen and David IngreyKori and Jonathan KalaferDeborah KalishJulie KimKristen and Brace KragRoberta and Emmett KresgeGayle and Greg DiGioacchinoBethlyn Krakauer and Scott GriffinJessica and George GolumbeskiKaren and Kurt HildeWendy and Arthur HopperBetty Wold JohnsonChristy JohnsonGretchen and James Johnson Jessica and Andrew KatchenSandra Freas and Michael KeeganJessica and Jason LevyJan Cailles and Glenn LikusCatherine LuborskyJulie and John Osborne

The Willow Tree Society 2016-17Members have donated for the last five years or more, consecutively.

Macaire Pace and Charles Owen Violetta and Daniel PagaduanMaria Parella and James Pizzale Jennifer and Kamran RafieyanMaggie and Robert RappElizabeth and Reuben RichardsLinda RitthalerAneta SakowskiMaria and Anthony SblendorioHeather and Paul SchofieldDeborah Herman and Jeffrey SteinhornAmy and David SwensonBarbara and Tom ThurenKelly and Mark Traudt Jill and John TurpinSusan and Frank VellaEdith and Thomas WilliamsSuzanne and Roger WittLee and Chris WolfeDominique and David Wolfe

The Willow School • 5

6 • The Willow School

The Willow School Alumni Society

Raised $3,900 at the Green Gala to launch The Willow School Alumni Society

Loring BiedronMark BiedronMegan and Robert ClarkLinda and Sean CowperthwaiteGayle and Greg DiGioacchinoJessica and George GolumbeskiBethlyn Krakauer and Scott GriffinKeri and William Hinshaw

Karen and David IngreySandra Freas and Michael KeeganJudit Duran and Eduard LlanasKate and Jerry LoewenJacqueline Glass and Joseph LoFaroKeith MannMacaire Pace and Charles Owen Jennifer and Kamran Rafieyan

Congratulations to Willow’s Class of 2009, our first college graduates!

We are so proud of our accomplished Willow scholars, who earned degrees from:

Gabriela AmaralAlumni Society Coordinatorgabrielaamaral@willowschool.org

Hello, my name is Gabriela Amaral, and I am The Willow School’s Alumni Society Coordinator and a class of 2010 alumna. I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of the launch of Willow’s Alumni Society!

Since the 2017 Green Gala, I have surveyed alumni to measure interest for the society and designed a monthly newsletter. The newsletter will include interviews, features, and creative writing pieces submitted by alumni. I am working with the Willow Board of Trustees and staff to create events for alumni to gather on and off campus, connect with each other, and continue to participate in Willow traditions.

I am excited to help this society grow into a strong, participatory network between alumni and the school. Please get in touch if you are interested in joining or volunteering for the Alumni Society!

• Colgate University• Fordham University• Pace University• St. Lawrence University

• University of Chicago• University of St. Andrews• Wake Forest University

Sam RichardsDeb and Rob RussDeborah Herman and Jeffrey SteinhornKelly and Mark TraudtKathleen WardAmy WiehlDominique and David Wolfe

The Willow School • 7

Faculty & Staff 2016-17

ADMINISTRATION

Leeann Bartushak Nurse

Gayle DiGioacchino Assistant to the Head of School

Jim Gast Director of Technology

Cole HonsDirector of Marketing & Development

Deb Kalish Communications Coordinator

Jerry Loewen Head of School

Emmett Kresge Director of Facilities

Tasha OdomDirector of Business & Finance

Kerri O’MalleyMarketing & Administrative Assistant

Danny Pagaduan Facilities Assistant

Sam RichardsDigital Marketing Consultant

Kate Snyder Assistant Controller

Melisa Sussex Nurse

Amy Swenson Assistant Head of School

Sally Zeiner Director of Admissions & Secondary School Placement

FACULTY

Eniko AaronKindergarten Assistant Teacher

Amy Arnold3rd Grade Teacher

Meg Brandt Librarian & Reading Specialist

Meagan Coy5th Grade Teacher

Shannon Downey Middle School Director & Middle School Language Arts Teacher

Carol Fontaine 4th Grade Teacher

Joe Glatt Middle School Math Teacher

Karen Hilde Architecture & Handcrafts Teacher

Jessica Katchen Preschool Teacher

Julie Kim Kindergarten Teacher

Gina Lefferts Performing Arts Teacher

Liliana Lisbao Middle School Social Studies Teacher

Katie Lombardo 1st Grade Teacher

Catherine Luborsky French Teacher

Keith Mann2nd Grade Teacher

FACULTY (continued)

Sarah Miller Middle School Latin Teacher

Marissa Mizeski Lower School Science Teacher &Afterschool Director

Susan PalmerArt Teacher

Andy Pruzick Wellness Teacher

Maria del Pilar Saba Spanish Teacher

Aneta Sakowski Preschool Teacher

Amy Schwartz Middle School Science Teacher

Annie Taggart3rd Grade Assistant Teacher

Denise Touhey5th Grade Teacher & 6th Grade Language Arts Teacher

8 • The Willow School

The Willow School 2016-17

BOARD OF TRUSTEESCynthia Richards (President)Kelly Traudt (Vice-President)Susan Vella (Treasurer)Sandra Freas (Secretary)Pearl BiedronPhil DiIorioGlenn LikusMacaire PaceKamran Rafieyan Suzanne WittAndrew Rubenstein (Honoree Trustee)

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEPearl BiedronJerry LoewenCynthia RichardsKelly TraudtSusan Vella

COMMITTEE ON TRUSTEESKelly Traudt (Chair)Jerry LoewenSandra Freas

BUILDING AND GROUNDS COMMITTEEGlenn Likus (Chair)Mark BiedronJeff BravsteinKevin DuffyKaren HildeChristy JohnsonEmmett KresgeJerry Loewen

DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEECole Hons (Chair)Gregg AuerbachSandra FreasJerry LoewenMan Kit NgKamran RafieyanCynthia Richards

FINANCE COMMITTEEKamran Rafieyan (Chair)Phil DiIorioJerry LoewenTasha OdomCynthia RichardsSusan Vella

ADVISORY COUNCIL

PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION OFFICERSKori Kalafer (President)Jennifer Rafieyan (Vice-President)Dominique Wolfe (Secretary)Megan Clark (Treasurer) 

HEAD OF SCHOOL Jerry Loewen

Gratitude for Our Parents’ Association

Our wonderful Parents’ Association volunteers their time and talent, in addition to financial contributions, for the benefit of the entire school community every year. We want to especially thank the PA for these gifts made in the 2016-17 school year:

• New Athletic Bleachers• Handcraft and Architecture Supplies• Fencing Equipment and Uniforms• Track and Soccer Uniforms • Back to School Night Refreshments

• Kitchen Equipment• Keyboard for music classes• Planters for Chester Area Senior Housing (CASH)• Family Fun Night funding

• Beautification of campus, which includes the HWNC, Schoolhouse, and Farmhouse• Scrumptious snacks provided for the faculty once each month for our after school faculty meetings

Thank You For Your Support!

The Willow School • 9

2016-17 Philanthropy by the Numbers

$518,460$$$$$$$$$

Total Donated

86% of Parents Gave to Willow:

Only 67% of Parents Give to Most Independent Day Schools:*

*According to National Association of Independent Schools 2015-16 Report, median participation percentage

Willow’s Giving Community

94% of Faculty & Staff Gave to Willow:

100% of the Board of Trustees Gave to Willow:

w

Only

70%of our annual revenue

comes from tuition

The Tuition GapBy design, the revenue we raise from tuition is less than the cost to educate each child. Your giving fills the gap.

Tota

l Exp

ense

s

Total Tuition Revenue

The Gap

of our budget isTuition Assistance

32%of families receive

Tuition Assistance

20%

Tuition Assistance

Why We Need Your Help

Thank you for your generosity in the 2016-17 school year! As we move into a new year, we need your continued support more than ever. You can donate anytime online at willowschool.networkforgood.com, or send a check in the enclosed donation envelope.

Com

pare

to:

The Willow School believes that every student benefits from a diverse student body. Our community demonstrates their commitment to virtues such as equity, justice and compassion by generously supporting the tuition assistance program.

All families pursuing assistance apply through a widely used third party service to help us make the most equitable decisions possible.

1150 Pottersville RoadGladstone, New Jersey 07934

www.willowschool.org(908) 470-9500

Ethics • Ecology • Excellence