Giving to Williamson
We could not succeed without the support of our trustees, alumni, faculty, staff, students, and good friends.
Williamson College of the Trades was founded by Isaiah Vansant Williamson, a Philadelphia merchant, and philanthropist, who wanted to create opportunity for financially-disadvantaged young men to become respected members of society by providing them a free postsecondary education.
Williamson’s mission thrives more than 130 years later on that same philanthropic premise with the college’s endowment supporting 75% of daily operations. The remainder is raised through generous donations from alumni, past parents, friends, corporations and foundations.
Make Your Williamson Gift Today!
We could not succeed without your support.
Williamson Fund
The Williamson Fund is the college’s core fundraising program promoting unrestricted giving (to be used where needed most), as well as restricted donations, to be used in the current fiscal year (July 1 through June 30). These funds make it possible for Williamson to operate within its budget in any given year. Annual gifts come in all sizes, but their chief characteristic is that they are made every year as college budgets are dependent on this income.
Wanamaker Society
Members of the Wanamaker Society have made a commitment to the long-term future of Williamson College of the Trades through Wills and other planned gifts. Members receive significant personal benefits such as increased income and tax reduction. Gift size is not a membership factor. Indeed, the amount of the gift and the method of giving are determined by your motivations, personal circumstances after providing for loved ones, individual financial objectives, and other special interests.
Endowment Support
Capital Giving
Capital Giving supports major projects and equipment purchases that provide much needed upgrades and improvements to campus infrastructure. Some capital projects that are currently in need of support are: dormitory and other campus renovations; and shop and classroom technology.
Matching Gifts
Giving Policies & Procedures
Donor Disclosures
Donor Bill of Rights
The mission of Williamson College of the Trades has not changed significantly from Isaiah Williamson’s vision as laid out in the Deed of Trust 125 years ago. The college remains true to its mission providing postsecondary trade scholarships to deserving students who could not otherwise afford higher education. The college’s uniqueness still holds true today, especially in the philanthropic support that continues to be critical to furthering Williamson’s mission as seventy-five percent of the college’s annual operating funds are shouldered by its original endowment. The gap of nearly $2 million is raised through the private support of alumni, friends, corporations and foundations each year. Special projects and programs continue to benefit from charitable gifts, as well.
Philanthropy, in general, is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life and inherent to Williamson’s time-honored mission. To ensure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in Williamson College, we declare that all donors have these rights as communicated by the Association of Fundraising Professionals:
- To be informed of the organization’s mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
- To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization’s governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
- To have access to the organization’s most recent financial statements.
- To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
- To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.
- To be assured that information about their donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
- To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
- To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.
- To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.
- To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.