When you give to WSOS, you are joining a state-wide movement of individuals and innovative companies who want to:
- Build a strong workforce with skills in STEM, trade, and health care
- Ensure Washington companies have the local talent they need to grow and thrive
- Advance equity in education to maximize the talent of those in our state who face barriers
- Live their values by supporting inclusive economic opportunity, equity in education, and DEI principles
When you support WSOS, you demonstrate philanthropic leadership by expanding opportunity and shared prosperity.
A gift to WSOS is putting your values into action.
Students are counting on us.
Businesses are counting on us.
Communities are counting on us.
Together, we can do this.
“I feel great about supporting WSOS because our contributions have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of the students receiving scholarships, and as a social scientist, I understand intimately the many downstream effects of a college degree on career opportunities, financial security, health, and social function.”
Beth Jackson, Principal Research Scientist at Battelle
You’re Invited: OpportunityTalks 2024
Join Opportunity Scholars, alums, corporate decision-makers, and partners at this year’s OpportunityTalks! This free event brings together community leaders ready to power Washington students to power Washington state.
Plan now to join hundreds of our state’s STEM, health care, and trade industry leaders and investors in person. If you’re passionate about equity, Washington students, and access to higher education — you don’t want to miss this!
Ways to give
Give online
Make a pledge
Email us at donate@waopportunityscholarship.org to make a pledge.
Mail a payment
Make check payable to Washington State Opportunity Scholarship or WSOS
- Mail check to our program administrator:
- 501 Commons dba WSOS
- Pacific Tower, Suite 1101
- 1200 12th Ave. S
- Seattle, WA 98144
Washington State Opportunity Scholarship is administered by 501 Commons, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law and matched by the state of Washington.
“Growing up in India, I suffered from tropical diseases like measles, malaria, and mumps—I thought I was immunodeficient. So, in the 7th grade, I decided to become an immunologist based on my experience and the experiences of my favorite uncle, who was also immunodeficient. I was able to follow that dream in part because my family prioritized higher education and made significant sacrifices that gave me the ability to come to the US with only $200 in my pocket. Several of my childhood friends never got this opportunity due to their economic, family status, and other expectations that prevented them from focusing on education. It’s unfortunate that my childhood peers and so many others don’t get the opportunities I had which is why I’m so committed to WSOS’ mission.”
Pallavur Sivakumar, Vice President and Head of Discovery, Immuno-Oncology and Cell Therapy TRC, Bristol Myers Squibb
Employer Matching
If your employer matches donations, save your acknowledgment letter or email from WSOS and share it with the relevant person at your organization.
For Benevity: If you donate or have a match through Benevity, please select 501 Commons (Unique Identifier: 943089631). You will then select “Washington State Opportunity Scholarship” under Project.
Donor Advised Fund (DAF) donations
When giving through your Donor Advised Fund, select 501 Commons, WSOS’ program administrator, and indicate the gift is for WSOS. If you have questions, please contact us at donate@waopportunityscholarship.org.
Estate Planning
You can make a bequest to WSOS by including language in your will or living trust or by designating WSOS as a beneficiary of your retirement account or life insurance policy. If you would like to include WSOS in your estate plan or trust, please contact donate@waopportunityscholarship.org.
Stock and Mutual Fund
A stock portfolio is often among the most valuable assets you own — and one that can carry substantial capital gains or appreciation in value. With careful planning, you can reduce or even eliminate federal capital gains tax while supporting our work.
Prior to sending or transferring shares, please contact us at donate@waopportunityscholarship.org. We can help you in the transfer process.
IRA Charitable Rollover
The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (PATH) was signed into law by President Obama on December 18, 2015, permanently extending the IRA charitable rollover. Individuals aged 70½ and older can donate up to $100,000 to Washington State Opportunity Scholarship and other charitable organizations directly from their IRA without treating the distribution as taxable income. To qualify, contributions must go directly to a public charity and be made from traditional IRAs or Roth IRAs.
Please contact us at donate@waopportunityscholarship.org if you have any additional questions.