Purchase Orders

WISDOM families with funding available may use a Purchase Order number to shop at specific vendors*. This purchase order is given to the vendor at the time of purchase, the vendor then bills your Gilbertine Institute funding account directly.

To view a current list of vendors working with WISDOM Purchase Orders, please click here. Vendors, if you would like to be added to our list, please email purchaseorders@gilbertineinstitute.com to get the necessary paperwork.

In 2023–2024, purchase orders are available from September 19 through May 31, as long as you have available funding.

Remember, your Educational Program Plan must be approved by your facilitator before your funds will be released, including for Purchase Orders. For program plan templates and samples, please click here. Complete POs before May 31. This means that you will need to begin the process with the vendor by May 31 in order to ensure the purchase order is finalized before the deadline.

How to use a Purchase Order Number

Each purchase order (PO) is for a particular vendor (store) for specific items. Because a purchase order is a “promise to pay” it can be issued only for resources approved by the AB Home Education Regulation. See our Funding Policy for details.

Using a Purchase Order Over the phone & In-Store:

IN-STORE

Preferred (if you know in advance what you intend to purchase):

1. Call the vendor.
2. Tell them you will be using a WISDOM purchase order.
3. Give them the list of items that you will be purchasing, your name, and WISDOM’s contact information.
4. They will tally your items and contact the WISDOM office with the list and total.
5. WISDOM will give the vendor a PO number, and your order will be waiting for you to pick up.
6. Go to the store, present your identification, and pick up your order.
7. The vendor will bill The Gilbertine Institute (WISDOM) out of your available funding.

ONLINE

For select vendors who are geared toward home educators.

1. Each vendor may be different.
2. In the checkout process, there may be a box for "Purchase Order Number". Type WISDOM. Alternately, you may need to email the vendor and let them know the items you wish to purchase, and that you want to use a WISDOM PO. 
3. The vendor will send the invoice us.
4. Once your items are approved, WISDOM will issue a PO to the vendor.
5. Your transaction is complete, and the vendor will ship your items to you.
6. The vendor will bill The Gilbertine Institute (WISDOM) out of your available funding.

You may also call us at the office to discuss how to use Purchase Orders at 780-741-2113.

*Vendors appear on our list because they have entered into an agreement with us to direct bill for their services or resources. This does not constitute our implicit approval of any or all services or resources they choose to make available in their stores.