Giving

The Annual Fund is the cornerstone of philanthropic support at NBSS. It makes a direct, positive impact on our students’ educational experience. The Fund supports the School’s daily operations and allows us to continue meeting our high standards of excellence even as we grow.

Annual Fund gifts go to work immediately:

• Providing scholarships to students
• Supplying instructors with tools and materials
• Supporting efforts to promote public awareness and appreciation of traditional craftsmanship
• Reducing our reliance on tuition revenue, therefore keeping tuition rates as low as possible

Shaw Society: Donors of $1,000 or more to the Annual Fund are recognized among our most generous donors as a member of the Shaw Society. Click here for benefits and more information.

In addition to financial support, we also welcome objects, real estate, and securities as gifts to our Annual Fund. For more information, please contact our Development Office.

Nearly 70% of NBSS students receive some form of financial aid, and - as a direct result of philanthropic support - the School was able to budget $700,000 in scholarship resources for the 2019-2020 academic year, the most we’ve ever been able to award. Gifts to the General Scholarship Fund make it possible for students to pursue a livelihood in traditional crafts and trades, and significantly relieve the burden of overwhelming tuition costs and debt.

“I am a different person than when I started, for the better. I’m proud of myself and enthusiastic about my future in craft. It is not lost on me the significant contributions made by people, who have never met me, that have helped me get this far.”

- Cabinet & Furniture Making student, 2020

We receive many offers of in-kind gifts of tools, books, machinery, raw materials, workbenches, pianos, jewelry, computers, and more. Each potential donation is given careful consideration by our faculty and staff to ensure that any object accepted by the School can be responsibly used to fulfill our educational mission.

If you have an in-kind donation you'd like to request, please fill out this form so we can assess if it is a good fit for the School.