Comprised of more than 900 separate charitable funds, the Boston Foundation is the largest public charity and grant maker in New England. From its start in 1915, TBF employed the innovative strategy of collecting funds from the breadth of an entire region, coupled with a committee of knowledgable civic leaders empowered to make grants in response to changing needs. So, when Boston Harbor was identified as one of the filthiest in the nation, TBF responded. Today, Boston Harbor is one of the nation's cleanest. (The conversion of Scollay Square from a burlesque district to Government Center and the development of the Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market were other TBF-supported projects that promoted Boston as a destination for business, recreation and tourism.)
Proctor has strong ties to the Boston Foundation through current parents, past parents and alumni, and TBF's headquarters on Arlington Street were the site of a highly successful reception Thursday evening, as more than eighty friends of Proctor came together to share their love for the school. I will not use surnames in this post, but the CEO and President of the Foundation, and parent of a sophomore, welcomed us with an introduction to both the Foundation's good works, and the extraordinary role of philanthropy in American culture.
Each year, Americans donate nine hundred billion dollars to philanthropy. We are the most generous people on Earth. Nine out of ten Americans makes a gift annually. The parents of a four-year senior, Karen and Jim established the Haiti Fund at TBF with a one million dollar initial gift; (Jim is in Haiti today.) Karen spoke of her son's educational path to and through Proctor. Here, he found himself, his passions and a path to the future.
Karen's words provided personal narrative and focus which resonated with the many alumni in the room, who nodded knowingly as she described the transformative nature of the Proctor experience. Here's a contingent from the Class of '96:
It is comforting to see alumni who knew Proctor at very different times coming together as if related, for they do share a relationship. It would be different if the school's essential style or mission changed, but it has not, so when Matt Swansburg '04 (with his girlfriend) meets Sam Reeves '83, it is as if they know something about one another.... They've shared a common experience.
Spending an evening with Proctor alumni is uplifting and validating. My only regret is that current students can not witness this. I want them to meet graduates from five years ago and thirty-five years ago, and to know that--someday--in what will seem like no time, they will be there, too. Below, Gregor Makechnie '90 shares a laugh with classmate Suzanne Rapp Troyer '91 and Whitney Hill Sowles '92.
On Thursday evening, eighty-something friends of Proctor convened to enjoy time together, great food and to learn about the school's future dreams. But let's not be coy; our ultimate purpose is to energize our commitment to Proctor's dreams through our philanthropy. The experience that alumni enjoyed years and decades ago was made possible through prior giving.
Rebecca Barban '02, Sean Leavitt '02 and Sarah Wood '03:
And the experience our students enjoy today is made possible by past philanthropy. Our commitment to Proctor today ensures the experience students will enjoy for years and decades to come.
