Restricted and Designated Gifts to Wooster School

Typically, restricted and designated gifts are gifts of $5,000 or more and are solicited on behalf of Wooster School in order to meet a specific program or facility need. However, on occasion, a donor may wish to restrict their gift to a program or project of their choosing. Many times, these gifts are restricted to classroom activities, field-trips, technology purchases, and the arts or athletics.

Unsolicited restricted gifts are gifts designated to a specific purpose and must be approved before receipt by the Head of School. Designated gifts support programs or departments at Wooster School and, in most cases, do not require prior approval.

As examples: if a donor makes a gift restricted to “technology” at Wooster School, that gift is considered to be “designated” because it funds an already budgeted enterprise. However, if the donor were to designate their gift to provide 15 new laptops for the Middle School, then the gift would be a “restricted” gift and would need to be approved by the Head of School before being accepted.

In the majority of cases, Wooster School does not accept in-kind restricted gifts. Unless otherwise determined by the Head of School, restricted gifts must be received as cash and dispersed on behalf of the donor as requested by Wooster School.

This best practice ensures the donor’s desires and the Institution’s needs are met.

If you are interested in making a restricted gift, please contact Christopher Pannone, Associate Head of School and Chief Advancement Officer at christopher.pannone@woosterschool.org or call 203-820-3954.