The Ethel Walker School
Simsbury, CT
The 1911 Fund: Annual Giving for Walker's
Join or renew your giving at a Leadership Circle level and choose an appreciation gift as a thank-you for your generous support!
Greatest Need
Your unrestricted gift enables Walker’s to support all aspects of school life.
Academic and Faculty Support
The cornerstone of the Walker’s experience in support of our faculty and academic programming.
Financial Aid
Grant access to the Walker’s education experience for all students.
Student Life
Support the whole student in their health and wellness.
The Arts
Support student artists across all creative disciplines.
Athletics & Clubs
Foster Walker’s sports teams and student-run clubs.
Capabilities Approach
Walker’s signature program at the center of our student education experience.
Equestrian Program
Our premier riding experience for students who are at the beginning of their equine journey to high-level competition.
Campaign ends Wednesday, June 30th, 2027, 11:58 pm EDT
What is the impact of my gift?
Your gift to The 1911 Fund provides essential, flexible support for the many expenses that make a Walker’s education possible, both the moments we celebrate and the everyday details that often go unnoticed.
The 1911 Fund helps us attract and retain exceptional faculty by supporting teacher salaries and professional development. It helps provide opportunities and experiences for students, from transportation for events and activities to theater production staging and athletic equipment. And it supports the essential behind-the-scenes needs that keep our campus running each day—from light bulbs and hot water to campus maintenance and heating fuel.
Every gift to The 1911 Fund helps ensure that Walker’s students have the people, programs, experiences, and resources they need to thrive.
Why are we asked every year to give to The 1911 Fund?
The 1911 Fund is an annual campaign that plays a vital role in the financial strength of our School by providing for expenses not covered by tuition or interest from our endowment. The operating budget of the School is supported in large part by gifts made to the Fund. As tuition dollars meet only part, or about 55%, of the actual cost of educating a student, we need to raise additional funds each year to support the gap between tuition and other income and the actual operating cost of the School. The Ethel Walker School is a non-profit, independent organization that operates without financial assistance from any public source.
Why can't Walker's increase tuition to cover the full cost of educating each student?
While tuition is an important source of revenue, significantly increasing tuition would make a Walker’s education less accessible to many families and could change the diverse community that makes Walker’s so special. Nearly 50% of Walker’s students receive financial aid, reflecting the School’s commitment to welcoming talented students from a wide range of financial backgrounds.
Tuition alone does not cover the full cost of providing a Walker’s education. Philanthropic support allows the School to invest in exceptional faculty, enriching programs, campus resources, and financial aid while keeping tuition at a level that is accessible.
Your support helps Walker’s preserve the distinctive educational experience and community that families choose Walker’s for, while ensuring that financial circumstances are not a barrier to becoming part of the community.
Why is my participation in The 1911 Fund important if I can only make a small gift?
When you the Walker’s community, your participation demonstrates a shared belief in the experience provided to our students and our commitment to ensuring that Walker’s students continue to thrive.
Strong participation shows that our community stands behind the School and believes in what is happening here. Every gift is a meaningful investment in Walker’s students, faculty, programs, and the future of our School.
Every gift matters. Every donor makes a difference. And together, our support helps ensure a strong future for Walker’s.
How does a gift to The 1911 Fund differ from an endowment gift?
Gifts to The 1911 Fund and to Walker’s endowment are necessary to secure a strong financial future for the School.
All of the money raised through The 1911 Fund goes toward the School’s operating budget for that year. Annual support represents about 12% of the funding for the School’s operations, including support to academic programs, financial aid, extracurricular activities, athletic programs, faculty salaries, administrative costs, and facility operations.
Endowed funds are invested to provide additional annual support in perpetuity for programs, financial aid, faculty salaries, campus operations, and other designations. If you are interested in supporting Walker’s Endowment please reach out to us at giving@ethelwalker.org or call +1-860-408-GIFT (4438). We would love to discuss what it is that inspires your support.
How can I make my gift?
Donate online via credit or debit card, PayPal, or Venmo.
If you prefer to pay by check, a donor-advised fund, stock, or securities, please visit our Ways to Give page for instructions.
Making a pledge? Follow the Donate online link just as though you were making a gift, choose “pay by pledge” with the check icon in the payment bar. All pledges, are payable by June 30, 2027.
For any questions or additional support, please contact us at giving@ethelwalker.org or call +1-860-408-GIFT (4438)