Endowment
The Campaign for Endowment -- A gift for the present, a plan for the future. Fulfilling the promise of U Prep's mission while responding to rapid societal and global changes has always been challenging, and never more so than now.The school's mission is to develop each student's potential to become an intellectually courageous, socially responsible citizen of the world. We accomplish our mission through our program. While the program is supported by tuition, the Annual Fund, and Parent Council fundraising efforts, our endowment already plays a part and will, over time, play an increasingly important role in ensuring that U Prep is able to offer the best program with the best teachers to our students from every Seattle-area neighborhood.
The Campaign for Endowment is particularly focused on raising funds that will support students and teachers -- who are the reason the school exists. Central to the campaign is the raising of funds for financial aid, faculty professional development, faculty compensation, as well as unrestricted funds that the school can use in the budget areas of greatest opportunity or greatest need.
To learn more about the campaign, please contact Steve Kepher, Director of Development, at 206.832.1167 or via e-mail at skepher@universityprep.org.
In addition to the campaign, there are other funds, listed below, that support the school's mission, and to which interested donors may make a gift.
Financial Aid
The Financial Aid Fund receives contributions in support of need-based financial aid. This fund provides partial tuition for students who would not otherwise be able to attend University Prep.
Financial Aid/Language Skills
The Language Skills Fund encourages donations to support the language skills center.
Garry & Ellen Jones Memorial Fund
The Garry and Ellen Jones Memorial Fund provides funds for an award that is given to an outstanding student on campus. This award recognizes more than academic achievement and gives special recognition to an individual who has exhibited special qualities in relationships with others on campus. Dr. and Mrs. William Welgan established the award in memory of one of Mrs. Welgan’s former students, Garry Jones.
Makinen-Sarin Endowment
John and Mabel Makinen established the Makinen-Sarin Endowment to provide ongoing funds for school operations. The endowment builds upon annual stock donations from the Makinen family.
Welgan Scholarship
Established in 1996, The Welgan Scholarship honors the memory of William M. Welgan, beloved husband of Aileen Mary Welgan, one of University Prep’s seven founders. Dr. Welgan, a Seattle dentist, often credited the merit scholarships he received as having a pivotal influence on his life. The Welgan family wants such an influence to be perpetuated at University Prep. The Welgan Scholarship honors one student annually for the commitment to learning and strength of character that exemplify the spirit of University Prep.
This award honors a senior whose community service project contributes to conserving resources or energy, to restoring habitat or to providing a long-term solution to a wildlife, ecosystem, or waste management challenge.
Jeanette C. Williams Creative Writing Award
The purpose of this endowment is to honor annually two students for their work in creative writing. It was established to honor Jeanette C. Williams for her eighteen years of service at University Prep as teacher, director of Upper School, and associate head of school.
Other endowments and restricted funds that offer opportunities for giving:
- College Counseling (offers college guidance and advice to students and their parents)
- Language Department
- John Woodruff Memorial Fund
- Rainier Scholarship Program Fund
- Roger J. Bass Faculty Professional Development Endowment
- Roger J. Bass Financial Aid Endowment