“All In for WMA”

“All In for WMA” challenge brings out the Academy’s best

In many ways the holidays this year were unlike any in our recent history, void of the usual holiday parties, hectic shopping trips and large family gatherings. However, one thing that certainly remained was the spirit of giving back. Nowhere was this more evident than within the worldwide community of Wilbraham & Monson Academy.

On the first of December, we launched “All In for WMA,” a historic challenge match inspired by the incredible generosity of our Board of Trustees. The Board demonstrated their philanthropic leadership by committing $500,000 to match every gift, dollar for dollar, to the Academy through the month of December. As if this wasn’t enough, the Vice Chair of the Board, Jim LaCrosse ’50W, offered an additional $150,000 if we received 50 gifts during the final week of December.

Not only was the Board’s generosity historic, but the timing was also significant as we faced unplanned expenses related to our COVID-19 protocols. As you have learned, the Academy invested more than $2 million to provide a safe environment for our students to continue in-person learning. It was a significant impact on the Academy’s limited resources; but, in our opinion, essential to continue having in-person classes and meeting our mission of educating the next generation of global citizens. This challenge provided us the opportunity to begin to replenish those resources and provide a strong fundraising foundation for the second half of our fiscal year.

By the end of December, we had received more than 485 gifts and pledges totaling more than $415,000—all matched dollar for dollar. And, in the final week, when we needed 50 gifts to unlock an additional $150,000, we received more than three times that number!

Our alumni, parents and friends overwhelmingly responded to the Board’s call to action; in doing so, they demonstrated their confidence in and commitment to the Academy. Many were so inspired by the Board’s leadership that they increased their gift over previous years. Others took the opportunity to make a second or even a third gift this year. The generosity was not just financial. Over the course of the month, Atlas Fund Co-Chairs Mike Dolaher ’90, Liz Wagoner ’01 and Steff Robbins ’10—along with parent and alumni volunteers, Board members and faculty—spent countless hours reaching out to friends and classmates to encourage them to be “All In for WMA.”

While the challenge ended on Dec. 31, the momentum created by it has not waned. We are on pace to have the strongest annual fund year in our history. It has been extraordinary to see how this community has come together during these difficult times. In so many ways, this year has truly demonstrated how so many of you are “All In for WMA,” and we know that with your continued support we will emerge from this pandemic even stronger.

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