Classic ThoughtsCalled to Give

BY CONNIE (BASTEMEYER ’79) ALBERS

KEVIN HEALY

I’m in the business of expressing gratitude. My work in the advancement division at St. Olaf College focuses on donor relations: acknowledging and recognizing those who have provided financial support for the college, its programs and its students. In the fundraising profession, we use terms such as prospect, identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. But none of this really produces results without the “secret sauce” of philanthropy—a Greek term that, directly translated, means “love of humankind.”

Everyone knows how wonderful it feels to receive gifts, but the joy of getting is short-lived. I’ve had the privilege of working with people who understand that our lives are truly richer when we share and that great inner joy comes from helping others better their lives. Giving is good for the soul, and the act of giving can be of greater value to the giver than to the recipient.

What compels people to be philanthropic? There are many answers, from “Others have a need and I have the means,” to “I feel better about myself,” and even “God wants me to.”

While the mystery of why generosity grows in the hearts of only some of us is beyond human understanding, many donors with whom I’ve worked have reflected on the opportunities they had as students, thanks to others’ generosity. To express their gratitude, they want to give back to enable students to have similar meaningful experiences. Another reason some choose to give is the belief they are not giving to the college but rather through the college to create a better world—that there is no better investment in the future of the world than in the young men and women about to enter it.

I recently witnessed a wonderful example of two people who found a tangible way to do both—to demonstrate the gratitude they felt in their hearts while investing in the lives of current and future students. International and off-campus study is an integral component of a St. Olaf education. One of the most rewarding programs requires extensive air travel and field excursions. These significant costs are passed on to participants, placing this program out of reach for many students.

Because of their own life-changing experiences in this program, husband-and wife-alums Larry and Lynn have established an endowed fund that will enable St. Olaf students to participate in this program for the same cost as studying on campus. They stated that their global experiences shaped their worldview and who they are. They “hope to encourage students’ development of a global perspective, foster their learning about the world and other cultures, broaden their horizons and enhance their self-discovery.” Their gift will bring great joy (and relief) to the families of the students accepted into the program, but I can honestly say no one was more thrilled about this gift than the two people who made it.

I realize not many of us have the resources to establish a large endowment at a college. But we all have felt gratitude, and we all can find ways to give back—time, talent or treasure—to our congregations, our communities and other organizations that do good work in the world.

I am grateful for parents who provided me with living examples of this principle while I was growing up. Those beliefs and values were further nurtured during my years at Northwestern College. I am grateful for the education I received, the professors who taught me, and the people who helped make that possible. I am pleased to read Northwestern’s mission statement about “engaging students in courageous and faithful learning and living that empowers them to follow Christ and pursue God’s redeeming work in the world.” We are called to serve and we are called to give.

Giving from the heart is one of the best investments you can make. It’s the joy and “love of humankind” that brings true happiness and union with God. What are you grateful for? What will you give?

Connie Albers has been the director of stewardship at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., since 2008. An English major at Northwestern, she taught and worked in banking and retail before joining St. Olaf’s staff.