FISW Giving
FISW students receive an incredible bilingual education that encourages their creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking. Here, children are not only well-trained in basic skills, they are also nurtured and prepared to face a complex world with optimism and empathy.
To continue delivering this level of academic excellence, FISW needs your help. Like all independent schools, annual tuition fees do not cover the complete cost of educating a student at FISW. This 'gap' in funding at FISW is $2,500.
We recognize that fundraising should be as streamlined as possible. Therefore, we limit fundraising to 2 giving campaigns during the school year: Annual Giving in the Fall and the Gala in the Spring.
Thank you for your support!
View our 2020-2021 Annual Report.
connecting our community
Your kind contribution directly benefits every student by strengthening this unique learning environment. Give the gap to support learning beyond borders at FISW.
Learn more below about our specific needs in School Year 2022-2023.
GIVING TIERS
Strategic Thinkers ($10,000+)
Expanders ($2,501 to $9,999)
Sustainers ($2,500 Gap)
Supporters (Up to $2,499)
Annual Giving
Annual Giving directly supports our annual budgetary needs and starts in the Fall. Your gift directly benefits our students and is a true philanthropic effort that makes the school a better place. Like every independent school, annual tuition feeds do not cover the complete cost of educating a child at FISW. This 'gap' in funding at FISW is $2,500 per child. Suggested giving is the gap, but the key to Annual Giving is for everyone to give to the best of their ability.
One of the most special elements of our school is our welcoming environment. Together, we create at FISW
a space where students, staff, and families alike feel valued and at home. During this year of reconnection, FISW made valuable investments in our program and learning spaces including:
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Technology: 20 new laptops tailored specifically to the needs of upper elementary students. This dedicates the other cart of laptops to Grades 1-2.
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Beyond the Classroom: The return of field trips, off-site PE, and enrichment classes.
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Library: A welcoming library with new books that support our DEI initiatives, cozy furniture, and new lighting.
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Classroom redesign: Equipping 2 additional classrooms with furniture optimized to the needs of the age group.
Annual Giving is our opportunity to sustainably continue supporting our students, our school, and our shared mission.
Why give to FISW?
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Support program enhancements and professional development for our wonderful teachers.
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Promote a diverse community and fund financial aid.
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Expand learning opportunities beyond the classroom, including field trips, experiential learning, physical education, & the arts.
Matching Gifts
Many generous companies in our area match an employee’s philanthropic donations or provide a monetary match for volunteer hours. If your company matches your donation, it allows you to double your gift to FISW. Contact your human resources representative for specific information on your company’s matching gift program.
Adobe Systems, Inc.
Aetna
Alaska Airlines
American Express
Ameriprise Financial
Amgen
Apple Inc.
Applied Materials
Attachmate
AT&T
Autodesk, Inc.
Bank of the West
Bank of America
BECU
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Bi-Mart
Boeing
BNSF Railway Co.
Cardinal Health
Charles Schwab
Chevron
Cisco Systems
The Coca-Cola Company
Costco
Delta Western, Inc.
Expedia, Inc.
Fed Ex
First Independent
Gap, Inc.
General Mills, Inc.
Goldman Sachs
Google
Hewlett-Packard
The Home Depot
HSBC
Hulu
Hunter-Davisson, Inc.
IBM Corporation
ING Direct
Iberdrola Renewables
Intel
Johnson & Johnson
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Kaiser Permanente
KPMG, LLP
Liberty Mutual
Macy's Inc.
Merck & Co., Inc.
Microsoft Corporation
Morgan Stanley
Nike
Nintendo of America
Nokia
The ODS Companies
Oracle Corporation
Pfizer, Inc.
PGE
Puget Sound Energy
Qualcomm Charitable Foundation
RealNetworks
Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield
REI
Safeco Insurance
The Standard
Starbucks Corporation
Symantec
Symetra Financial Corporation
Tableau Software
Umpqua Bank
U.S. Bank
UBS Financial Services Inc.
United Way of King County
Verizon Wireless
Wells Fargo
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I give to FISW?
Donations to FISW can be made by check, credit card, cash, stock transfer, or pledge. A pledge is simply a donation that you promise to make in the future. If your employer matches your donation, we will be happy to help you with any paperwork.
You can also donate appreciated stock via Schwab Charitable giving: https://www.schwabcharitable.org/
The French Immersion of Washington's fiscal year runs from July 1 – June 30. Donations for the current school year should be received by June 30. Please email Erin, the Director of Institutional Advancement, if other arrangements need to be made.
FISW is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, EIN 31-1657315. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
Can I view the French Immersion School of Washington's Annual Report?
To view our 2020-21 Annual Report click here.
My family is already paying tuition. Why do we need to donate money as well?
At FISW, we value our diverse and child-focused community. For this reason, we deliberately set tuition at a level that makes the school accessible to more families. This covers less than 90% of the cost of a child’s FISW education. We rely on fundraising to cover the 10% gap ($2,500/child in 2022-23) between tuition and the actual cost of educating a child at FISW.
Every American private school has a gap. It allows us to support economic diversity in our community. Those who are able to give can do so as a tax deductible donation.
Where does my gift go?
Bridging the gap allows us to fund all aspects of an FISW education. This includes everything that makes an FISW education so special - field trips, special projects such as the science fair and Spectacle, teacher training, and tuition assistance for students who would otherwise be unable to attend FISW.
In addition to supporting your child's education, what are the benefits of giving to FISW?
Many people enjoy getting involved in fundraising activities because they meet new people and establish friendships. Others view giving as a way to become an active stakeholder and help the school achieve its goals. Still, others take pride in being recognized on a list of school supporters. And, unlike tuition payments, gifts to independent schools are tax deductible to the extent of the law and are eligible for your workplace matching program.
How much of a difference can my gift make?
Our goal is 100% participation. Your participation demonstrates your support of FISW, its teachers, staff, and programs. It is also incredibly important to help cover our bottom line. Even if you can only make a small gift, your participation, along with all the other parents in the school, combines to cover our operating expenses and continue to ensure that FISW is truly a special place.
Do other school events contribute to FISW Giving?
We recognize that fundraising should be as streamlined as possible. Therefore, we limit fundraising to two giving campaigns during the school year: Annual Giving in the Fall and the Gala in the Spring.
At other times of the year, you will hear about efforts led by students, parents, and the PA (Parent Association). We are teaching philanthropy to our students. Over the course of the year, students select causes they believe in and organize campaigns such as food and holiday toy drives in support of these outside organizations. All PA activities are community building events. These events may include a small fee to cover the cost and operations but are not part of FISW Giving. Croissant and baguette sales and school lunches are services provided to our community.
The two annual opportunities to give directly to the school are Annual Giving and the Gala.