100 Years of Philanthropy at Messiah College

Jon C. Stuckey, Ph.D.Director of Development

Collaboratory ChapelMarch 8, 2010

Give liberally and be ungrudging when you do so, for on this account the Lord will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.Deuteronomy 15:10

You received without payment; give without payment.Matthew 10:8

From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.Luke 12:48 NRSV

Spiritual

Inspirational – Visionary

Practical

Joy of Giving

T.H. Jeavons and R. Burch Basinger (2000). Growing Givers’ Hearts. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

The traditional focus of the fundraising process tends to be utilitarian before it is humane or spiritual. Individuals are sought out with the anticipation that they can be persuaded to make a gift to the organization initiating the contact and only secondarily (if at all) with a concern for giving as an opportunity for their personal, moral, or spiritual development ... The model of fundraising proposed here puts the humane and spiritual first. It rests on the idea that relationships with donors should be built around the desire to spur their spiritual growth ... It is rooted in the Gospel vision that goes beyond respecting one’s neighbor to loving one’s neighbor (italics added).

Donated a house on 12th St. in Harrisburg, which became the first Messiah campus; donated five acres of land for the Grantham campus; donated science equipment and supplies; never drew a salary

Donated $2,000 in cash and teaching services (work w/o pay ) to ensure Messiah opened in 1909 ($45K in current US dollars)

A spiritual journey of loss, hope, and reconciliation

Messiah is so special. The teachings of Jesus are so important for young people (and old) for a good, full, and happy life. As I see it, Messiah sows the seeds. Some fall on stony-thorny ground, and are choked out. The seeds sown on fertile young minds grow like the mustard seed Jesus tells us about – it grows stronger and greater than all other herbs. There are too few colleges like Messiah. Our world – nations, states, cities – have laws that change with the “blowing of the winds.” God’s laws do not change. They apply now, as they did 2000+ years ago. Education without ethics and morals added is very dangerous … let’s not change our ethics to conform with man’s weaknesses. Dorothy Stabler

Joy of Giving

Gift from parents of a Messiah graduate who felt that an enhanced student union was needed on campus

Both Galen and Boots Oakes are graduates of Messiah; Galen served as a trustee for 40 years; they have supported the College for 60 years; a way to reach out to the community, particularly school children

Frey Family founded Turkey Hill Diary; siblings Charles, Emerson, and Eunice have all served on Board of Trustees. Building is a gift from Charles and Emerson and their wives to ensure Messiah had adequate facilities for science and engineering.

Ernest L. Boyer (’48) was Chancellor of the State University of New York, Commissioner of Education for President Jimmy Carter, and President for the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching; served Messiah as a Trustee and Chairman of the Board

Joy of Giving

Tuition only covers 80% of the cost of a Messiah education

Donors help to bridge the gap for all students, even the 3% who do not receive any financial aid

Without the support of alumni, parents, and friends, Messiah College could not continue in its educational mission

Thanksgiving in April: April 8th

“Pay it forward” - each student has benefited from the generosity of others throughout their time at Messiah

Their tuition costs are a life-changing investment in themselves; gifts to Messiah will enable others to have the same life-changing experiences

Giving back to Messiah ensures that the College will be here – continuing to transform lives – for generations to come

Low giving percentages from alumni can keep Messiah out of the running for competitive grants, similar to the one received for the Collaboratory from the Keck Foundation

US News & World Report uses the percentage of alumni giving as one factor when ranking colleges and universities each fall

9 out of 10 Messiah alums are satisfied or very satisfied with their educational experiences at Messiah, but less than 2 out of 10 are donors

Spiritual

Inspirational – Visionary

Practical

Why give? Isn’t it enough to donate time or expertise to an organization? Why is it necessary to also contribute money?

What motivates you to give to an organization? Do you feel it is a spiritual, inspirational, or practical reason that is the most compelling. Are there other reasons?

Do you agree that it is important for alumni of Messiah College to contribute financially to our mission after graduation? What are your reasons for your feelings on this issue?