Your Impact: philanthropy gets personal

SYA and Beyond

Greek playwright Aeschylus coined the term “philanthropy,” meaning “love of humanity,” in the 5th century BCE. Today, philanthropy means generosity in all its forms and is often defined as giving gifts of time, talent and treasure to help make life better for other people. Together, we amplify our impact on causes that are meaningful and fuel our passion.

Charitable nonprofits provide a way for people to work together for the common good. According to the Council of Nonprofits, the U.S. has more than one million charitable nonprofits that educate, feed, heal, shelter, inspire, enlighten and nurture people of every age, gender, race and socioeconomic status. From coast to coast and beyond, nonprofits transform shared hopes and beliefs into action.

As one of the many nonprofits that rely on the time, talent and treasure of its volunteers and donors, faculty and staff, SYA  established The Stephen M. Foster ES'65 Exemplary Service Award in 2018 to recognize and celebrate those members of our community who demonstrate extraordinary service to School Year Abroad.

Whether through career or volunteering, many have a personal interest in and commitment to their organization’s cause. Mimi Crume Sterling FR’94, CEO of The Family Place, a nonprofit in Dallas, said, “There is nothing better than being able to align your skills with a cause you are passionate about. I highly encourage anyone feeling a tug in that direction to explore it further, whether professionally or voluntarily. If you’re going the professional route, a mentor can make a tremendous difference in guiding you.”

Meet some SYA alumni and staff who, like Mimi, have found a sense of personal fulfillment through making a positive difference, both locally and globally.

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