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Spartan News
Creating a Culture of Philanthropy: A Lesson from One of Our Founders
One of our school wide goals this year is to grow the culture of philanthropy here at Miami Country Day. This goal grew out of a feasibility study conducted by Marts & Lundy last year in anticipation of a capital campaign to accompany the school’s 75th anniversary. No doubt, when L.B. Sommers and C.W. “Doc” Abele opened the Miami Country Day School for Boys in 1938 they could have never imagined that their little school, with an initial enrollment of nine boys, would be what it is today. No one factor can account for a school’s success, but one thing is certain: the Country Day our students enjoy today is in large part due to a philanthropic spirit over the years. Much of what we currently experience on campus would not have been possible on tuition dollars alone.
The Marts & Lundy feasibility study made a number of recommendations including growing the culture of philanthropy at Miami Country Day. To that end, my “summer reading” last year included several articles, case studies, and other materials on how to create and sustain a culture of philanthropy in not-for-profit organizations. One of the articles I read included the following quote from Prime Minister Churchill, “we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give,” which speaks directly to the idea of a “culture of philanthropy.”
Philanthropy is about giving from a generosity of spirit. Philanthropy directed towards Country Day results when people feel strongly about its mission and feel a deep sense of connection to the institution. It is often driven by a sense of gratitude for a personal experience, or that of a child, even grandchild. In some cases, a person gives to a school because the school’s mission resonates with them in a very meaningful way. At the end of the day, true philanthropy results when someone gives because they want to, not because they feel like they have to.
The phrase “culture of philanthropy” wasn’t around in 1963 when “Doc” Abele passed away, but the concept certainly was. It is clear now that Doc understood the connection between a culture of philanthropy and the school’s ability to thrive. As a person who committed much of his life to working with young people, he also knew the greatest lessons are taught through example. Had Doc left only the wonderful legacy of Miami Country Day we would all be forever in his debt, but he did much more than that. Doc left his estate in a trust with our school as the sole beneficiary. Thus, a culture of philanthropy at Country Day was born. I don’t know if Doc ever encountered Churchill’s quote, but he certainly embodied what it meant. As we approach our 75th anniversary, I encourage all of us to take some time to reflect on our founders’ legacy and generosity of spirit, and consider what we might do to grow the culture of philanthropy at Country Day that he started 50 years ago.
