The Heart of Philanthropy
Prior to starting Philanthrope Reimagined, I had the privilege of being an advancement professional for two decades. I did everything from stamping envelopes to being a front line fundraiser.
One of my largest gifts I ever secured actually became one of my greatest lessons.
One unseasonably hot, humid, Charleston day, sandwiched between a scholarship luncheon and a building-naming celebration, a “little thing” happened. It only took a few minutes, the same way it only takes a few minutes to set foot on shore after an ocean voyage or to say “I do” during a marriage vow.
It’s over before you know it, which makes you reflect on the journey itself and where it will go from here. The “little thing” was the signing of a document on August 23, 2019, and it took no more than 15 minutes. When it was done, Alycia had made a transformative, historic gift to the MUSC College of Pharmacy.
For me, the journey to that meeting had been a delightful decade of learning and discovery. I first met Alycia and her late husband, Bob, in 2010. I remember it like it was yesterday. They took me and a colleague of mine to a little restaurant around the corner from their home called “Moore’s.” It wasn’t the first time I’d ever had stone crabs, but it was the first time I got carried away listening to Alycia’s stories of her dad, family and her time as a purser with PanAm and Delta. It was the first time I heard Bob’s stories of Vietnam, flying on 9-11 and being a captain with Delta.
Their stories were captivating. Their energy was contagious Their hospitality was warm and inviting. And their love for each other was inspiring.
During the many years of getting to know Alycia, through visits, calls, emails and texts (with Alycia’s dad’s portrait on the wall outside my office at the time watching over me and my office, keeping a close eye over me) I’ve mourned Bob’s passing, heard stories old and new of Alycia, Bob and her extended family, and prayed for the youngest family member during his time at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital. All the while Alycia celebrated from far on the birth of my children, my 10th wedding anniversary and other milestones along the way with encouraging wisdom like “hug your honey,” and “enjoy your babies.”
At the time of the gift announcement, Dean Philip Hall began an email saying “Few deans have the pleasure of announcing a gift that is transformative. I’m thrilled and humbled to have that rare opportunity.”
I would add that few development professionals have the privilege of working with donors like Alycia.
And while it wasn’t her intention, she reminded me of one of my greatest lessons of my career.
The heart of philanthropy isn’t about the size of the gift…or really about the gift at all. The heart of philanthropy is relationships.
