By: Tim Campbell, BA 2017
It’s difficult to believe that we’ve already come to the end of the semester. It seems like only yesterday that I found myself sitting in a room full of people, most of whom I had never met before. We had been told that the title of this course was “Philanthropy and the Public Good,” but we didn’t know very much else about it. We weren’t aware of just how many incredible people we would meet this semester and how much we would learn about the organizations they operate. We didn’t understand the depth of their passion for the work they do. We certainly could not yet appreciate how difficult some of our decisions would be.
But as our course progressed, we learned a great deal about philanthropy: the theory that grounds it, how it should be practiced, and the people and organizations that it exists to benefit. We learned that a relatively small investment can make an enormous difference to an organization that needs to make a promotional video, or purchase toys that aid in motor development, or replace its two old water heaters. The grants we provide may be relatively small, but they can help our selected organizations save a great deal in years to come.
This course provided all of us with a unique opportunity to look out into the Waco community, identify particular needs, and respond to them. Several times throughout the semester I’ve been struck by the significance of our work and the number of lives we will touch with these strategic investments. The grants we’ve made will support those who strive to improve the mental health of many of the most disadvantaged in our community. They will aid organizations that seek to engage Waco residents in local events and service opportunities. And they will help unaccompanied homeless youth in Waco find the support they need to succeed in school and in life. This is a humbling thing.
As we eagerly await the next stage of our lives, we must take a moment – or a good while longer – to stop and reflect on the lessons we’ve learned in this class. We’ve learned that giving is about much more than simply how much you give; it’s about how you give. Smart investments can make all the difference in the life of an organization and those it serves. We’ve also learned that wealthy people are not the only ones who can make a difference, for relatively small gifts can have a tremendous impact. Most importantly, we’ve learned that simply giving money is not enough. We must also build relationships with people, both those who are tasked with running these organizations and those who benefit from their work. We must make a point of remembering what we’ve learned as we go forward.
I know I speak for all of us in expressing our deepest gratitude to the Once Upon a Time Foundation for its generosity in providing the funds for our course this semester. I also want to thank Dr. Hogue for his invaluable guidance throughout this entire process (we would’ve been lost without him). More than anything, though, I want to thank all of my fellow classmates for leaving an indelible mark on me. All of you have taught me what it means to care about these organizations and what they do in our community. And for that I am forever grateful.
May we all take what we’ve learned this semester and use it to become responsible stewards of our resources, no matter where our lives may take us.