The Webb Fund Heroes Challenge

THE WEBB FUND

In the 2020-21 school year, the ongoing pandemic

created increased demand on Webb’s annual

budget, and we were tasked with generating an unprecedented $4 million in unrestricted annual philanthropic giving to support the daily operations of The Webb Schools and the Alf Museum.

Thanks to an incredibly generous lead gift of $2.1 million from an anonymous alumnus, the largest single gift to The Webb Fund in the schools’ history, The Webb Fund Heroes Challenge was created. This gift challenged the Webb community to raise the remaining $1.9 million in support of every part of the daily Webb experience. Over 1,000 alumni, parents, trustees, faculty, staff, and friends answered the call and made a gift in this critical year.

The annual Giving Day was a large part of the success of The Webb Fund Heroes Challenge with more than 460 donors contributing over $400,000 during the 24-hour campaign in April. The Webb Fund was a central component of the day as was the Alf Museum, and the $100,000 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion challenge sponsored by the EE Ford Foundation (which is still matching funds until Spring 2022).

The Challenge inspired many of our donors to contribute meaningful gifts, stretching where they could, to ensure success. Parents Kenneth and Lana Guernsey P ’20 gave over $100,000 to The Webb Fund, in honor of their daughter’s years as a VWS student. Alumnus and former trustee Tim Moore ’59 also contributed $100,000 to The Webb Fund. Life Trustee Paul Reitler ’54 and Honorary Trustee Ming Chung Liu P ’10 each gave $50,000. Parents Jiming Sun and Jun Li P ’23 made a multi-year pledge of $100,000 to continue their annual support of The Webb Fund. The aforementioned are just a few of the outstanding and generous gifts we received this year.

Gifts to The Webb Fund differ from endowment and capital support as they are directly responsible for the unique and dynamic programming that happen at Webb today. Every gift to The Webb Fund supports financial aid, student leadership, faculty development, unparalleled academic programs – such as Advanced Studies in Paleontology, a course that is only offered at Webb – and of course our boarding program, athletics, and afternoon activities. The Webb Fund is responsible for what makes Webb extraordinary, and the dedication of our donors is the foundation for all we do here every day. Thank you to everyone who supported The Webb Fund during the 2020-21 year. Gifts to The Webb Fund differ from endowment and capital support as they are directly responsible for the unique and dynamic programming that happen at Webb today.