Philanthropy

Your gift invests in the students, faculty, staff, and families who make The Williams School extraordinary. When we think about the more than 5,000 members of the Williams community—past, present, and future—invested in its success, the growth of our people remains our greatest priority.

Whether it’s teachers sparking curiosity and creating meaningful learning experiences, or families connecting and collaborating with the School, the people of the Williams community are essential to our future, and your generosity empowers the people who bring the mission of Williams to life every day.

Your gift ensures that Williams continues to evolve to meet the needs of students in a changing world by strengthening opportunities in academics, the arts, athletics, leadership, and experiential learning. These programs are where curiosity turns into passion, and passion turns into purpose.

Whether students are finding their voice in a debate, performing on stage, collaborating on innovative projects, competing as teammates, or exploring new ideas beyond the classroom, your support makes these life-shaping opportunities possible.

Your gift helps create welcoming, innovative environments where students are inspired to learn, collaborate, and grow. As Williams continues to invest thoughtfully in its campuses, every improvement strengthens the student experience and prepares the School for the future.

From modern classrooms and labs to gathering spaces, athletic facilities, and places that foster connection and belonging, these environments encourage creativity, confidence, and discovery—allowing students and teachers alike to thrive.

$25,000+

$10,000+

$5,000 – $9,999

$2,500 – $4,999

$1,891 – $2,499

$1,000 – $1,890

Explore charitable giving options, including gifts of cash, appreciated securities, donor-advised funds, planned giving, employer matching gifts, and more.

Pledges to The Williams School allow donors to make a meaningful commitment today and fulfill their gift over time, offering flexibility while providing dependable support for Williams’ students, programs, and future priorities.

As of January 1, 2026, how—and when—you choose to give to Williams could be affected by new laws.

If you’re planning a special gift or want to tailor the timing to your tax situation, now is a great time to talk with a qualified tax professional or financial advisor to optimize your charitable giving.

As always, please reach out to the Development team if we can help with any questions about your charitable giving. We welcome the opportunity to connect with you.

More Restrictive Rules Began in 2026

Starting with the new 2026 tax year, the tax law introduces several changes that can reduce the tax advantage of giving for many donors.

A Deduction “Floor” for Itemizers

Only the portion of contributions above 0.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) will be deductible if you itemize — which didn’t apply in 2025.

Lower Tax Benefit for High Capacity Donors

The maximum effective tax benefit for charitable deductions for top-bracket taxpayers (37%) drops to about 35%, slightly reducing the value of large gifts if delayed until 2026.

New Benefits in 2026—but Not for Everyone

As of January 1, 2026:

Non-itemizers can deduct up to $1,000 (single) or $2,000 (married) in charitable cash gifts even without itemizing. This is a new above-the-line deduction many taxpayers haven’t had before.

However:

That new deduction doesn’t apply to gifts made to donor-advised funds or private foundations.

For people who do itemize now, the 2026 rules introduce floors and deduction caps that could reduce the tax benefit compared to 2025.

Charitable Giving – Timing Matters

If you don’t itemize or make smaller annual gifts:

Giving in 2026 may be appealing because of the above-the-line deduction that helps even non-itemizers save on taxes.