Fall 2024 Philanthropy Letter
September 10, 2024
Fall 2024 Philanthropy Letter
Message from the Director of Development & Alumni Relations
Dear Charles Wright Academy Community,
The end of summer marks an opportunity for new beginnings with the start of the fall season. I joined CWA earlier this spring at a time of transition for our school and while transitions can often feel unsettling due to the ambiguity of what the future holds… Charlie’s Picnic last week set a new tone filled with hope and optimism. As a community, we all play a part in creating the culture and future we want to see for our Tarriers. Seeing our students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, senior leadership, parents, and families come together for this annual tradition left me feeling excited and optimistic around the collective work we have ahead of us. The Development and Alumni Relations team is excited to be in partnership with you in this work.
The launch of this newsletter signifies the beginning a new era for our office. In this issue, we share an introduction of our team, provide a brief overview of our philosophy around philanthropy, and highlight opportunities for annual giving, community building, and alumni relations.
Your engagement and support is a vital part of our mission and together we are making a difference. Take for example what an alum recently shared with us as they made their gift; “Coming in as an international student, I had benefited tremendously from the guidance and support from upper school teachers such as Mr. King and Dr. Adams to name a few.” – Lucia W. Shen ’09.
Thank you for the warm welcome over the last few months. On behalf of the team, we look forward to meeting and connecting with you soon!
With Care & Gratitude,
De’Andre Jones, M.Ed.
Director of Development & Alumni Relations
Meet The Team
De’Andre JonesHe/Him
Director of Development & Alumni Relations
Building relationships is one of my favorite things about working in development! Whether you are an alum, parent, family, faculty, staff, or community member – I’d love to connect! Feel free to reach out with questions you may have about philanthropy at CWA, alumni engagement, our vision and goals for the future, and opportunities for service and involvement.
Michael Otter-Alvarado He/Him
Associate Director of Development
If you have questions about the Fund for CWA, the annual Spirit Auction, or partnering with CWA through sponsorship and advertising, then reach out to me! Giving looks different for every family, and whether giving through time, talent, or treasure, all forms of giving are appreciated!
Henry Cheney He/Him
Assistant Athletic Director for Youth Sports & Alumni Relations Manager
I am very humbled to serve the CWA community and its amazing alumni. I am excited to provide opportunities for alumni to engage, build community, and reestablish old traditions, while creating innovative new ones. My goal is to connect with as many Tarrier Alums as I can. This truly is a dream job and I am honored to serve in this new role.
Michelle Verkooy She/Her
Development Operations Manager
Databases, gift processing and reporting are my language. Questions about how to make a gift, set up a pledge, designate your gift or anything gift related feel free to contact me, I’m happy to help. When I’m not analyzing two computer monitors you can find me working behind the scenes at some of the key CWA events, like the Spirit Auction or Charlie’s Picnic.
Richard Timmins They/Them
Development & Alumni Relations Administrative Assistant
My goal is to bring new ideas to the department and find more ways to help reach out to the community. Being new to the Development and Alumni Relations team gives me the opportunity to give fresh insight on how we can improve building connections, creating events and spreading the word on what we do for the community.
Philanthropy 101
The Office of Development & Alumni Relations strives to inspire philanthropic engagement, fostering lasting connections with past, present, and future Charles Wright Academy community members. Through strategic partnerships, innovative initiatives, and dedicated stewardship, we strive to secure the resources necessary to advance our mission and enrich the lives of those we serve.
Since 1957, the spirit of giving has been evident at Charles Wright Academy. Supporting the Fund for CWA is not only a part of our culture, but also a vital piece of the financial health of the school as it provides money for the current year operating expenses and a critical piece in balancing the budget every year. We ask and depend on members of our school community to go “ALL IN” and make a meaningful gift to the Fund for CWA to ensure we are able to deliver on the promise of an outstanding education for every Tarrier.
Annual Giving Calendar
#GivingTuesday | December 3, 2024
Giving Tuesday (the Tuesday following Thanksgiving) is a nationally-recognized online day of giving. We invite you to be a part of this powerful day by making an additional gift to the Fund for CWA and leaving a message of gratitude for current and former CWA faculty. Your messages will be highlighted on our social media pages!
Spirit Auction | April 12, 2025
The Annual Spirit Auction is a lively and highly anticipated event held every year to support CWA’s programs and initiatives. The Auction brings together the school community, including parents, alumni, faculty, and friends, in an evening filled with excitement and camaraderie. The event features an online, silent, and live auction with a variety of unique items and experiences up for bid including student art pieces!
CWA’s Day of Giving! | May 13, 2025
This year on Founder’s Day, join us (virtually) for CWA’s first annual Day of Giving! This day is a dedicated day of philanthropy and community spirit aimed at supporting the school’s mission and enhancing the educational experience for all students dedicated to our founders Sam & Nathalie Brown. This special day rallies the entire CWA community—students, parents, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends—to come together and contribute to the Fund for CWA in support of the educational experience that our Tarriers receive. Every gift, no matter the size, helps to sustain a high-quality education ensuring that current and future students can thrive academically and personally.
Alumni Relations Events
CWA Night at the Rainiers | September 18, 2024
Get your tickets now to join CWA at Cheney Stadium on Wednesday, September 18, for an evening of food, drinks, and summertime baseball! Members of the CWA community will sing the national anthem AND throw out the first pitch. You won’t want to miss this opportunity!
(SAVE THE DATE) CWA Homecoming | October 18, 2024
Throw on your green and white and join us for an unforgettable Homecoming celebration! Whether you graduated five years ago or 45 years ago, Homecoming is a great opportunity to return to your alma mater and reconnect with classmates and some of your favorite faculty. Let’s celebrate the accomplishments of our alumni while enjoying some festive music and delicious food, and finish off the night around the warm bonfire while cheering our Tarrier athletes on to victory.
Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame | October 18, 2024
Join us as we celebrate four Tarrier legends as they are inducted into the CWA Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame! There will be a ceremony for all to celebrate in the Wight Gym at 5:30 p.m., then join us for the Homecoming Bonfire at 6:30 p.m. and the Football game at 7:00 p.m. on Haertl Field. We can’t wait to see you there!
Hall of Fame Inductees:
Emilee Bell ’09
2009 CWA 4 X 100m 1A Girls State Champion
Diane Lawrence ’10
2009 CWA 4 X 100m 1A Girls State Champion
Rachael Williams ’11
2009 CWA 4 X 100m 1A Girls State Champion
Grace Su ’09
2009 CWA 4 X 100m 1A Girls State Champion
Nate Mondou ’13
Four-year all-league, all-state athlete; Drafted by the Oakland A’s in 2016
Coach Mindy McGrath
Five consecutive state volleyball appearances; Multiple Coach of the Year Awards
Alumni Pub Night (21+) | November 27, 2024
It’s time to come together for our annual Alumni Pub Night! Let’s reconnect, share stories, and create new memories. We’ll have the Brewer’s Taproom at CWA Alumni-owned Narrow’s Brewing Co. reserved just for us, and your first drink is on the house! Don’t miss this chance to catch up with your fellow alumni and we look forward to seeing you there!
Time: 5 – 7 p.m.
Location: Narrows Brewing Co. | 9007 South 19th Street Tacoma, WA 98466
For questions, please contact Alumni Relations Manager, Henry Cheney at alumni@charleswright.org.
RSVP encouraged but not required!
Thanks for taking the time to read this Fall issue of our Philanthropy Letter. We look forward to keeping you in the know of what philanthropy and community connection looks like at CWA and how you can be a part of it year-round!
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions at giving@charleswright.org.
Thanks, and GO TARRIERS!