Western High School Foundation, Inc. has a fiscal agent Fund for Educational Excellence, a 501c3 organization which manages all donations and tax issues for many locally-recognized schools and exemplary community organizations.
Where does my money go?
Donations made through westernhighschool.org and/or this website and checks to support the Shine the Light Celebration go directly to Western High School Foundation, Inc. to support two key missions:
1- To enact crucial accountable academic enhancements to boost student grades, learning, college admissions and scholarships, and lifelong success. 2-To support projects that uphold Western's legacy of excellence.
Western High School Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit Maryland corporation and has a relationship with a fiscal sponsor, the Fund for Educational Excellence. FFEE manages donations, accounting and tax issues for many locally-recognized schools and exemplary community organizations.
All checks should be made payable to the Fund for Educational Excellence-WHSF. The Fund for Educational Excellence is a Section 501(c)(3) charitable, non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible. Donations made through donate buttons on this site and westernhighschool.org also are channeled to FFEE.
If you have any questions about your donation or its allocation, please email Carolyn O’Keefe.
What if I have a different interest and/or can provide in-kind donations?
We welcome your ideas! Please email Principal White and Carolyn O’Keefe and include the purpose of the donation (ex. test preparation skills, improving Western’s front landscape, tech equipment), the dollar value of the donation and your contact information.
How do I know my money is being handled properly?
When you donate to Western via the website, you can feel completely confident your money is carefully and ethically deposited and expended. We have aligned with the Fund for Educational Excellence (FFEE), which handles donations for many locally-recognized schools and community organizations. FFEE will handle the processing of all deposits, expenditures and acknowledgement of donations for tax purposes. This affiliation is crucial for full transparency, professionalism and transaction timeliness.
Where does the money go from other organizations that use the Western name?
Western High School Foundation isn't involved in the finances of any other organization which uses the name Western. We are grateful for the many wonderful groups which bring sisters together and have done so over many, many years. These organizers have done the hard work of continuing to connect sisters -- one of Western's finest traditions.
If your intention is to donate to Western, it's best to ask any entity using the Western name if and how they support the school financially. Please contact them directly if you have questions.
What is the best way to donate to Western?
The best way is to donate is via our online donation portal or by sending your check made payable to the Fund for Educational Excellence-WHSF to Fund For Educational Excellence, 800 N. Charles Street, #400, Baltimore MD 21201. This gives Western its best positioning for an ongoing bright legacy! Your donation will be carefully used for enduring positive change through the years.
How can I help Western raise funds?
You can support the school’s fundraising efforts by:
Staying in touch - Register via the official WHS Alumnae Network and follow us on Western's official Facebook page for the latest updates
Reaching out to your network --such as your sorority or women's group-- and asking them to donate $175 or more in honor of Western’s 175th anniversary.
Contacting your employer if they support charitable endeavors or have an employee match program for donations. A donation supports our school, the city's future young leaders and the City of Baltimore.
If you have ideas about persons, foundations or businesses that may be interested in donating to Western (financially or in-kind), please email Carolyn O’Keefe. Thank you for your commitment to Western's legacy!