Get Involved
Every contribution of time, expertise, or financial support directly strengthens educational opportunity for Westside students and graduates. Discover the ways you can make a lasting impact.
Ways to Give
Your charitable contribution to the Westside Alumni Foundation is fully tax-deductible under Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code. EIN: 47-2918304.
Monthly Giving Circle
Join the Westside Giving Circle with a recurring monthly contribution of any amount. Monthly donors provide the predictable, sustained funding that allows the foundation to plan scholarship awards with confidence and expand program capacity year over year. Giving Circle members receive quarterly impact reports detailing exactly how their cumulative contributions have been allocated, exclusive invitations to donor appreciation events, and recognition in the foundation's annual report. Even a modest monthly gift of $25 generates $300 annually, enough to fund a semester's worth of textbooks for a scholarship recipient.
Planned Giving & Bequests
Include the Westside Alumni Foundation in your estate planning through a charitable bequest, beneficiary designation, or charitable remainder trust. Planned gifts create a permanent legacy that funds scholarships for generations of Westside graduates. Our Development Office works confidentially with donors and their financial advisors to structure planned gifts that maximize both charitable impact and estate tax efficiency. Members of our Heritage Society, those who have confirmed a planned gift of any size, receive lifetime invitations to the annual Heritage Society Luncheon and are recognized on our permanent donor honor wall at the foundation office.
Corporate Matching Partnerships
Many employers match their employees' charitable contributions dollar-for-dollar or even two-to-one, effectively doubling or tripling the impact of individual donations. The Westside Alumni Foundation is registered with all major corporate matching gift platforms including Benevity, YourCause, Cybergrants, and Double the Donation. Contact your employer's human resources or corporate social responsibility department to determine if your company offers a matching gift program. Our Development team is available to assist with verification paperwork and employer coordination at extension 203.
Volunteer Opportunities
Your professional expertise and personal experience are invaluable resources that directly shape the next generation of Westside leaders.
Scholarship Review Committee
Serve on our volunteer scholarship review committee, evaluating applications during the annual review cycle each February through April. Reviewers assess academic transcripts, personal essays, community service records, and letters of recommendation using our standardized scoring rubric. The committee meets biweekly during the review period and requires approximately four to six hours of total commitment per cycle. All reviewers complete a conflict-of-interest disclosure and confidentiality agreement before accessing applicant materials.
Career Mentor
Be paired with a current scholarship recipient or recent graduate for structured one-on-one career guidance over a six-month engagement. Mentors commit to two meetings per month, either in person or via video conference, covering topics including career exploration, professional networking, workplace skills development, and industry-specific guidance. The foundation provides mentor training, conversation guides, and ongoing support from our Alumni Relations team. This is consistently rated as the most personally rewarding volunteer role by our participating alumni.
Event Volunteer
Support the foundation's four signature annual events: the Homecoming Gala (October), Spring Career Fair (March), Summer Picnic (July), and Holiday Scholarship Auction (December). Event volunteers assist with registration, guest services, auction coordination, venue setup, and post-event cleanup. Volunteer shifts typically range from three to five hours per event. Event volunteers receive complimentary admission to the event they support and a foundation volunteer service recognition pin.
Alumni Ambassador
Represent the Westside Alumni Foundation within your professional and social networks by sharing scholarship announcements, promoting events, and identifying potential donors and mentors. Ambassadors receive a branded presentation kit, quarterly talking points, and direct access to the Development team for coordinating outreach. This flexible, low-commitment role is ideal for alumni who want to contribute meaningfully but have limited availability for scheduled volunteer activities. Ambassadors play a critical role in expanding our reach to underrepresented alumni demographics.
Mentor Registration
Complete the form below to express your interest in joining the Career Mentorship Program. Our Alumni Relations team will contact you within five business days to schedule an orientation session.