How to Get Involved: Sponsors and Donors

We hope you will consider supporting our students by giving to the Wekiva Culinary Fund.

The purpose of the Fund is to supplement the resources available to Wekiva High School and to improve learning opportunities for students interested in pursuing career and technical education in Hospitality and the Culinary Arts. The Wekiva Culinary Fund is overseen by an Advisory Board comprised of local community, education, and business leaders along with the school principal, administrators, parent and student representatives, and the Program Director.

By giving to the Wekiva Culinary Fund, you are helping local high school students learn in the best possible environment to gain career-ready skills and acquire the experience necessary for a successful future in higher education or in the workforce. The Wekiva Culinary Fund does this by supporting three types of initiatives: college and scholarship opportunities, career and technical education opportunities, and general program fundraisers.


All donations are fully tax exempt and will be utilized only for the donor-designated project or program.

After giving to the Wekiva Culinary Fund, you and/or your organization will receive the gratitude of Wekiva Culinary’s many students as well as the public recognition you deserve. Below are some of the most common ways our partners have supported us in the past:

Become a Presenting Sponsor or Presenting Partner

The most straightforward way to give to Wekiva Culinary is by adopting one of our programs, assuming the full cost of implementation, and receiving recognition for your generosity through media releases, naming rights, and significant print/web advertising space.

The programs in need of support are listed below. Full details and secure, online donation opportunities are available on the Wekiva Culinary Fund page.

Programs in need of support

  • Wekiva Culinary Internship Program
  • MustangChef Summer Camp
  • Wekiva Culinary Food Truck and Young Entrepreneurship Program
  • Food Science Lab
  • Wekiva Culinary Competition Team
  • Wekiva Culinary’s Renaissance Fair
  • 2022 Awards Banquet
  • Kitchen Maintenance and Equipment

Become a Friend, Supporter, Donor, or Advocate

Similar to Presenting Sponsors and Partners, our Friends, Supporters, Donors, and Advocates can choose a program they would like to support and target their gift to Wekiva Culinary in such a way that it has the greatest impact for the cause they are most passionate about.

Scholarships

Donors also have the option of sponsoring a student in need by providing a scholarship to one of our events:

  • Annual Internship for one student – $500
  • Annual sponsorship of one competition student – $1000
  • MustangChef Summer Camp scholarship for one student – $265

You may choose to earmark a gift to your choice of program initiatives or allow us to direct your gift towards the current area of greatest need.

For inquiries on the benefits of naming rights or for questions about donations in kind, please contact Chef Bates directly christopher.bates@ocps.net or by calling the school at (407) 297-4900, ext 6192628.

All donations will positively impact Wekiva High School students, Teachers, and the Apopka City community. Thank you for your generosity. We appreciate your support!

Methods of Investment

For tax purposes, you will need the OCPS W9 form. You can download a copy here:

https://www.ocps.net/departments/accounts_payable

Credit Card

The easiest way to make your tax-deductible donation is by visiting the Wekiva Culinary Fund Giving Site. There you can make a secure one-time or recurring donation by credit card.

Donations in Kind

We are always in need of various supplies, tools, equipment, and services. One of the most valuable ways that companies can support Wekiva Culinary is by providing Donations In Kind. Goods and services offered to Wekiva Culinary are recognized at the same Donor Levels as direct giving and are extremely helpful. Some of our current needs for Donation in Kind giving are:

  • Stainless Steel Fabrication and Repair
  • Plumbing, Electrical, and Cabinetry Services
  • Groceries, Disposables, and Cleaning Supplies
  • Linen Rental
  • Tent and Prop Rental
  • Venue Rental
  • T Shirt and Banner Printing
  • CO2 and Propane
  • Paint, Carpet, and Lighting
  • and many more!

Cash or Check

If you would prefer to make your donation by cash or check, you can do that by downloading the offline donation form and mailing it with your gift to The Magnet Academy of Culinary Arts, c/o Wekiva High School 2501 N Hiawassee Rd Apopka, FL 32703