Gathering Waters Foundation (GWF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to support the mission and long-term sustainability of Gathering Waters Chartered Public School.

The Foundation is a separate legal entity from the school, with its own board and governance. Its sole purpose is to raise philanthropic funds in support of Gathering Waters. The Foundation board includes members of the Board of Trustees to maintain alignment with the school’s strategic priorities.

As Gathering Waters has grown, it has become clear that long-term financial health requires a dedicated, professional fundraising structure, in addition to the school’s operational fundraising efforts.

The Board of Trustees initiated the Foundation to:

• Provide focused leadership around major gifts and long-term funding

• Expand the school’s access to philanthropic partnerships

• Position Gathering Waters for future opportunities that support stability, growth and sustainability

This allows school leadership and faculty to remain centered on teaching and learning, while the Foundation focuses on external engagement and major fundraising.

Many strong public charter schools establish independent nonprofit foundations to support long-term financial health and growth. While enrollment-based public funding covers core educational operations, it often does not fully support facilities, enrichment, or periods of growth.

A dedicated foundation allows a school to engage philanthropy in a focused, professional way—supporting stability, sustainability, and future opportunities—while the school itself remains centered on education. This structure is widely used across the charter and independent school landscape and reflects thoughtful, forward-looking governance.

As a private nonprofit, the Foundation operates under a different legal framework than a public charter school. This allows it to pursue opportunities not available to public entities, including:

• Greater discretion for donors, since the Foundation is not subject to public records and open meeting laws

• Eligibility for certain grants that are restricted to private nonprofits

• The ability to engage philanthropists and foundations that prefer working through a private nonprofit structure

These capabilities broaden the school’s ability to secure financial support, while ensuring that the school itself remains compliant with public funding requirements.

No. Gathering Waters Chartered Public School remains fully governed by its Board of Trustees and operates as a public charter school under state oversight.

The Foundation does not make programmatic, operational, or staffing decisions. Its role is to raise philanthropic support and steward private funds in alignment with the school’s priorities. This separation allows the school’s leadership and faculty to stay focused on teaching and learning, while the Foundation concentrates on external fundraising and long-term financial support.

The Foundation provides a dedicated structure to raise and manage private philanthropic support for Gathering Waters, giving the school the capacity to respond to financial needs, make strategic decisions, and sustain long-term stability.

The Foundation’s work is separate from—and complementary to—the role of the Development Office.

• The Foundation focuses on major gifts, long-term strategies, capital campaigns, and broader philanthropic partnerships.

• The Development Office leads community-based fundraising and engagement, including fundraising events (craft fair, online auction, 5k), internal campaigns like Bridge the Gap, annual appeals like Giving Tuesday and NH Gives, seasonal fundraisers, and communications such as The Ripple.

There may be areas of collaboration over time as both roles continue to develop, and in the meantime, there is open communication and coordination as needed.

At this stage, the Foundation is focused on:

• Engaging major donors

• Building the organizational infrastructure needed for long-term fundraising

• Advancing two primary areas of support:

  • Facilities support, including helping offset Upper School expenses and laying the groundwork for realizing a facilities vision and future ownership

  • Sustainers Circle, a signature program for financially supporting the school as it grows enrollment

Endorsers Circle, a non-fundraising group of individuals who publicly endorse the school

The Sustainers Circle is a group of donors who commit to supporting Gathering Waters through a meaningful annual giving structure, currently organized in $10,000 giving units. Supporters may: Contribute one full unitJoin with others to form a unitSupport multiple units The Sustainers Circle is designed to provide reliable, flexible funding that helps stabilize the school and reduce financial strain as it grows toward full enrollment. As the school grows and enrollment increases, the need for Sustainers Circle funding will evolve. Those interested in learning more—or who know potential participants—are encouraged to reach out to the Foundation directly at admin@gatheringwatersfoundation.org.

Donations are made to Gathering Waters Foundation and deposited into the Foundation’s bank account.

Funds are then granted to the school on a mutually agreed-upon schedule and used by the school in accordance with its operational and educational priorities. The use of funds is governed by the school administration and Board of Trustees.

Yes. As a private nonprofit, the Foundation can:

• Take out loans

• Own property

• Lease facilities to the school

For example, if the Foundation were to own a school building and lease it to Gathering Waters, the school would still be eligible for state lease aid, currently up to $50,000 annually. Having the Foundation helps Gathering Waters maximize its public funding opportunities.

As it grows, the Foundation anticipates expanding its work to include:

• Applying for grants, especially those unavailable to public schools

• Leading a capital campaign for facilities with a hired campaign manager

• Hosting an annual Foundation-led fundraising event and/or match campaign

• Building an endowment

• Supporting alumni engagement over time

These efforts are intended to strengthen Gathering Waters for the long term.

13. How can I learn more or ask questions?

We invite you to reach out to the Foundation directly at admin@gatheringwatersfoundation.org.
We are committed to transparency and thoughtful communication, and we welcome your questions!