What Our Partners Are Saying: Exploring Philanthropic Legacy ANTHONY TUTTLE
During our centennial year, the Community Foundation will be including a variety of voices and perspectives from partners in each special issue of PARTNERS in community. For this summer issue, we are exploring the theme of philanthropic legacy. We asked partners to share what philanthropic legacy means to them and how they build it in Kent County through their gifts of time, talent, treasure and testimony.
Technology Advisory Committee volunteer
Whose legacy of giving inspires your generosity? “There’s a misconception I internalized that you need to ‘make it’ before you give back. I don’t think that’s true anymore. I’ve learned we’re all capable of giving back at any time. As people and as a society, we’re constantly changing, evolving and redefining what success means and what’s important to us. Giving looks different at different times in your life, so whatever or however you give, you have the most impact when your gift helps address the root causes of structural inequities.”
JULIUS H. AMBERG
ALEKA C. THRASH Black Legacy Fund volunteer
What do you want your philanthropic legacy to be? “I want my philanthropic legacy to disturb the status quo. As a Black Legacy Fund committee member, I get to internally use my skills, talents, and money to further current programs that create access to Black communities. Especially Blackled organizations that usually go unsupported. I hope that my legacy will go far beyond my current commitment so that generations after me can go further, focus on doing the work and not worry about how programs will be funded..”
*Deceased, quote from 1939 news article when he was a trustee
“If we are to serve the future adequately, we must realize that conditions change. Needs of today will be met. Needs of tomorrow are beyond our wildest guesses. Because of this, it is wise to leave to our children’s children gifts which will be flexible enough to meet their needs.”
LYNNE POPE (WITH CARLOS SANCHEZ) 100 New Philanthropist
“In 100 years we won’t be here, but what we can do is leave a legacy. We can contribute to a collective cause through the Community Foundation and are happy to know that we had some participation in the solution. We trust it will be spread out equitably and will address what our community is experiencing.”
Whose legacy of giving inspires your generosity? “My parents, especially my mother, inspired me through their generosity. In a family with seven children, we didn’t have a lot. But giving doesn’t have to be in dollars and cents. The way my mother gave of herself is a legacy I continue by volunteering, which has always been a part of my life and is something I enjoy.”
In the next issue of PARTNERS in Community, we will be exploring the theme of collaboration. Are you interested in submitting a perspective on the topic? Send an email with your thoughts to Communications@GRFoundation.org.
PARTNERS in community | 9
How do you think about creating a legacy in Kent County?
RENÁ GUTTRICH Community Foundation executive assistant