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Waterfront School Foundation

Waterfront School Foundation — Membership FAQs

1. Who is eligible to join the Waterfront School Foundation?

Membership is open to all parents, legal guardians, alumni, faculty, and supporters of Waterfront Montessori (Toddler through Middle School). WFM teachers and staff receive complimentary honorary membership. One Family Membership covers all parents/guardians and enrolled children in your household for the entire school year. Enroll early to get the full benefits throughout the school year!

Annual membership dues, one membership for the family

2. What are the membership options and costs?

The WSF offers three tailored options:

  • Standard Family Pass ($50): Covers full family benefits, 30-minute early VIP swap entry, 48-hour priority booking on events with restricted capacity (such as Gymboree and Grit), merchant discounts, and foundation governance.
  • Premier Family Pass ($75) — Recommended: Includes all Family Pass benefits ($50 value) plus an additional $25 tax-deductible contribution dedicated to accelerating foundation student initiatives (eligible for 1:1 corporate employer matching)!
  • Alumni & Community Pass ($30): Designed for graduated families and alumni who want to remain connected through Members Night Out, musical seating, and business directory listings while contributing 100% of their dues as a tax-deductible donation.

3. If community gatherings are free, how do membership dues help?

Annual membership contributions serve as foundational donations to the school community. While our seasonal celebrations—such as the Halloween Bash, playground Movie Nights, and Harvest Festival treats—are completely free for every student and family to attend, your membership is what provides the upfront resources allowing the WSF Board of Directors to coordinate, underwrite, and host these gatherings efficiently and effectively for everyone.

Because general events are free, WSF Membership is focused on convenience, event priority, retail savings, and governance:

  • VIP Early Access to Seasonal Swaps: 30-minute early access (9:30 AM entry) to our biannual “Outgrown & Onward” clothing and gear exchanges before doors open to the general community.
  • 48-Hour Priority on Capacity-Restricted Events: For off-site events with hard venue attendance limits (such as Gymboree, Grit, Bowling, or Ice Skating), members receive RSVP booking links 48 hours before general release. (Note: Priority booking applies strictly to capacity-restricted events; open community gatherings do not require priority registration.)
  • Exclusive Discounts: 10%–15% member discounts on Middle School merchandise, apparel, and student enterprise products.
  • Adults-Only Exclusives: Free admission and hosted bites at our annual evening Members Night Out.
  • Community Directory: Complimentary business listing on the WSF Small Business Page.
  • Voting Rights: Legal voting rights in annual Board of Directors elections and foundation governance.

4. Which events offer 48-hour priority RSVP access?

Priority RSVP access is strictly reserved for events that have restricted venue capacities enforced by external facilities—such as indoor gymnastics sessions at Gymboree, sports playdates at Grit, bowling lanes, or ice skating rinks, where spots are capped at 30–40 children. All-school seasonal gatherings (Halloween, Movie Nights, Harvest Festival) are hosted without head-count restrictions and remain open and free to all families without priority gating.

5. Are membership dues tax-deductible or eligible for corporate matching?

  • Standard Family Pass ($50): This tier is classified under IRS guidelines as standard membership dues and is not tax-deductible. Payments that confer direct personal benefits—such as early VIP shopping access, priority booking for venue playdates, and retail discounts—do not qualify as charitable gifts.
  • Premier Family Pass ($75): The baseline $50 covers your non-deductible family membership benefits, while the additional $25 contribution is a 100% tax-deductible charitable gift. Because zero goods or services are received in exchange for that $25 portion, it is fully eligible for 1:1 corporate employer matching via Benevity, CyberGrants, Google, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and others.
  • Alumni & Community Pass ($30): The full $30 contribution is 100% tax-deductible and fully match-eligible.

6. What is the difference between Waterfront Montessori and WSF?

Waterfront Montessori is an independent school providing daily academic education. The Waterfront School Foundation (WSF) is an independent, parent-led 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity. WSF exists to build community across Lower and Upper School families, coordinate class parents, organize all-school traditions, appreciate teachers and staff, and support student enrichment programs.

7. What is the time commitment when joining?

There is no mandatory volunteer time commitment. Membership does not obligate you to attend monthly meetings or work shifts. You are welcome to simply enjoy your early-access perks and priority windows, or choose to get involved as an event volunteer, class parent liaison, or board committee member as your schedule permits.

8. How do I join or renew?

You can join in less than two minutes online at waterfrontschoolfoundation.org/become-a-member or scan the WSF QR code at our table during the Welcome Brunch and morning parent coffees!

“A Dream You Dream Alone Is Only A Dream. A Dream You Dream Together Is Reality.”— John Lennon/Yoko Ono

What Are the Various Levels of Involvement Available?

We believe everyone can do something! Here is our WSF Time Commitment Continuum. See what feels right for you and then jump in. We are happy you are here and we look forward to calling you a member!

Time and Resource Heavy

  • Board Membership

Targeted Leadership Time

  • Chair a Committee
  • Classroom Parent
  • Chair an Initiative within a Committee

Short-term Time Intensive

  • Community Outreach
  • One-off Volunteer Days
  • Event Set-Up/Clean-Up

Participate

  • Be a WSF Good Will Ambassador
  • Support Each Other
  • Share Thoughts & Give Feedback

what are the membership perks?

WSF Membership provides a way to get more involved with the school, the parents, and our wider community for the entire family. Our membership perks also include:

  • Advertise on the WSF Small Business Page
  • Attend our Annual Meeting
  • Vote in the Annual Board member election
  • Community Involvement
  • Establishing relationships with other WFM parents