By Elizabeth Walker
Philanthropy is a word most
people consider too exalted to use in reference to their giving. The stereotypic
image of philanthropists as fabulously wealthy people who, late in life,
give away eye-popping amounts of unlimited earnings or inheritance is an
erroneous one that probably accounts for the disconnect between giving
and philanthropy in many people's minds.
"When you think of the word 'philanthropist,' you think
of an older person who gives a great deal of money," says
Elizabeth Sprague '80. "That's not me. I recently increased
my gift to Holy Cross because now I'm in a position to help
the school. I believe that's something you should do when
you can. I contributed to the Holy Cross Fund Scholars program
specifically because I hope it will help someone to have
the same experience I had. I look forward both to developing
a relationship with that student and to talking about how
Holy Cross has changed in the past 20 years."
"Philanthropy," as the dictionary defines it, does not
involve people of a certain age, a specific amount of wealth
or a particular point on the scale of generosity. Instead,
philanthropy is described as "an affection for mankind manifested
in donations of money, property or work to needy people or
to institutions with a social or cultural purpose." Add to
that definition the instincts of a careful investor and the
passion of Holy Cross alumni, and it describes those who
generously support the College.
What compels people like Sprague, a mother of three young
children, to make philanthropic gestures is far more interesting
and varied than any label applied to their good works. The
motivation and, increasingly, the timing of such generous
acts also vary greatly from individual to individual. Traditionally,
people often waited until the children were grown or retirement
was approaching before committing to an ambitious schedule
of giving or making sizable gifts to institutions or organizations
to which they had special ties. Others waited by choosing
to leave behind a substantial bequest.
Today an increasing number of those who give tend to commit
more of their resources earlier in their lives. They give
with the expectation that the resources they provide will
be put to work in very specific ways to effect changes in
the fortunes or future of institutions and their constituencies.
The nation's strong economy is often cited as the motivation
behind the increasing generosity of people who have yet to
celebrate their 50th birthdays. Yet, record-high economic
indicators do not even begin to tell the whole story about
what triggers the generosity among Holy Cross alumni.
When asked why they give to Holy Cross, alumni talk about "opportunities
to give back," a need "to provide the same experience for
someone else" and a desire "to make possible something that
was lacking when I was a student." All graduated within the
past 25 years and none view themselves as philanthropists.
Rather they see their support of the College as "the right
thing to do," "a good investment" and "a natural progression."
One young alumnus, suggests that the years since graduation
have provided him with the perspective he needed to take
in the full measure of his four years on campus.
"In my era at Holy Cross, and today as well, I suspect,
there were classmates who you knew would be faithful alums
and bleed purple, if cut," he writes. "That wasn't me. Many
years later with some economic good fortune, I find myself
immensely grateful for the experience and desirous to perpetuate
this institution."
For Charles Polachi Jr '75, whose bloodlines have long
run purple, Holy Cross is a family affair. It began when
his grandfather, George B. Moran, entered Holy Cross as a
member of the Class of 1906; continued through his father,
Charles Polachi '43, includes his two brothers, Peter '77
and Steven '78; his wife, Martha '76, and many other members
of his large extended family. As an involved father of three
and a successful entrepreneur, the high value Polachi places
on his Jesuit liberal arts education is one of many reasons
he invests in the College.
"Holy Cross is an institution that returns more than you
could ever calculate," he says. "The return on investment
is compelling. It's hard to appreciate the value of a liberal
arts education when you're going through the process. You
come out well-prepared for life and with that Jesuit-inspired
thirst for knowledge."
Mary Figge Power '83 and husband John Power '80 recently
found a way to provide something for Holy Cross students
that Mary felt was missing during her years on campus-more
emphasis on creative writing. They established the John and
Mary Figge Power Creative Writing Endowment at Holy Cross
to provide the English department with the resources to fund
visiting authors, and did not even have to leave home to
accomplish it.
"I met with (professor) Jim Kee at my home," Mary says. "It
was great that we could sit over a ham sandwich and discuss
how the funds would be utilized. My only stipulation was
that our gift be used for a creative writing program. I was
an English major and felt that more needed to be done in
that area. John and I were surprised that we could actually
make a designation. That really personalized it for us."
Mary sees their gift as "a natural progression" in their
lives and in their relationship with Holy Cross.
"It was something we were able to do this year," she says. "There's
a faith aspect to all of this as well. Giving to others was
instilled in me at a very early age and I feel incredibly
indebted to the Jesuit community. I hope that this expectation
and tradition carries over to our children."
Mary believes strongly that younger alumni must step forward.
"Often we think that the older alumni will take care of
things," Power says. "It's frustrating sometimes as a class
agent that some of the people I contact every year are proud
of the fact that they went to Holy Cross and yet don't support
the College. How can they not make that connection?"
Sprague echoes that thought. "It's very important to get
into the habit of giving and doing," she says. "You give
what you can when you can. Holy Cross is a wonderful institution
that wouldn't be as wonderful if alumni didn't support it."
Supporting what you believe in can take on different forms
through the years after graduation, Polachi believes.
"When you graduate, you have time, so volunteer it," he
suggests. "As things go well for you, do more; give of your
excess."
That is just what philanthropists do.
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