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A strong culture of philanthropy denotes a shared mindset, where everyone within the organization understands that fund development is essential to its ability to deliver; where everyone has a part in the process by acting as ambassadors and cultivating lasting relationships; where it’s understood that all gifts are important, even if the value of major donations is recognized for their far-reaching impact; where
the community is intentionally engaged and participates as a partner with the school’s leadership; and where culture is not seen as trivial, but rather as an essential measure of our effectiveness. The more this attitude permeates across all corners of the school, the stronger the culture, and the more that culture can become a self-sustaining engine for growth.
For a culture of philanthropy to prosper, it is essential to educate the community about the value and promise of a Gulliver education, and to more effectively engage parents, alumni, and other community members in the life of the school. This process starts with the school’s trustees, administration and faculty but, in effect, everyone within
the Gulliver family has a part to play. Additionally, philanthropic gifts tend to be driven by a deep-seated, often very personal pursuit aimed at making a difference in a community - or the world. “At the core, philanthropy is a form of self definition. It allows us to define what we value and believe. In many ways it is a significant portion of our personal
legacy,” says Jay Goulart, Gulliver’s Vice President of Institutional Advancement.
Once a true culture of philanthropy sets in, everyone is involved in the process of inviting donors to invest in our mission, and instead of feeling embarrassed, we take pride in asking, knowing we are offering people who share our values an opportunity to also enact their own. In fact,
as long as we are meeting valued needs, it is our responsibility to raise funds to ensure our mission continues.
Ultimately, our donors want to give not merely to “keep the lights on” but mainly to see the broader impact of achieving the school’s mission. This is also at the heart of why building a culture of philanthropy is so important. A strong partnership with community members is the fuel that propels Gulliver forward and elevates our capacity to deliver. When we volunteer, we feel vested in the cause and feel a shared sense of responsibility for supporting the school. And when fund development
is widely viewed and valued as a mission-aligned initiative to achieve sustainability, everyone can promote philanthropy and articulate a
case for giving. Moreover, gone is the discomfort that often underlies fundraising initiatives as fund development is understood to be a noble cause shared by all. In the long run, the more our entire community
engages and participates as a cohesive ensemble to elevate our overall
experience, the greater the benefits for all.
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