Academy Giving – The Philosophy Behind the AVPO Fundraising Priorities
Great Hearts, Mr. Twist, and the incredible team of staff that they have assembled, are building from scratch the academic foundation that will support our children throughout their lifetimes. It is a modern day illusion to think that this foundation is built upon things like buildings and books – these are just tools. Rather, it’s a foundation built upon a principle that instructs our children always to seek truth, goodness, and beauty first, and in doing so – true knowledge, true wisdom will be theirs.
Yet, paradoxically, we do need these tools – buildings, books, and teachers – to provide a secure environment for our children as they pursue this principle based education. We as the inaugural parents of this grand venture are going to be called upon to provide the tools necessary. This privileged burden will never be greater than it is upon us. And as a result, we have tried to build a Parent Organization that mirrors the principles and goals of our Academy.
All of the parents who have taken the leap of faith to join Archway Veritas, are action oriented, problem solvers, and not afraid of hard work. But by coming here, we have each chosen to look at the world thru a new prism, a new paradigm.
We must always remember that we are not here to build a library, or a playground, or buy a school building. We are building a principled community of service and of charity that will be a home to every child and every family who come through our doors. If we build our P.O. on this foundation, the fruit of our labors will be expressed in libraries, playgrounds, science labs, and more. This guiding principle is how we built the structure for the Archway Veritas Parent Organization and it is what guides and prioritizes all of our decisions. And we will implement these priorities as a team, each one working and giving to the highest measure that we are able.
In a perfect world every one of us would gladly write blank checks to cover everything the school needs. However, in this very real world with its harsh economic realities, each one of us must look within and ask, “What part of the burden can I bear?” Only you can answer that question.
Some of us are weakened by other burdens and will not be able to do as much. Still others will be able
to do much more than their equitable share. What some of us can’t do in this season, God willing, we can in the next. Those who can do much now, God forbid, may not be able to later. This balance should be of no concern since we know we are a team for the long haul.
However, what we do know is that each and every one of us can do something. Whether it’s donating one hour or 100 hours, one dollar or a million dollars; we can all participate to our own highest level and be at peace because we know we are doing our best.
And that is what we are asking for: 100% participation, no matter the dollar amount, at the highest level that you are able to contribute. As we lay out our financial priorities for Archway Veritas, we hope that you can see that we have tried to build a structure and processes that everyone can be a part of because we don’t want a few doing everything, we want everyone doing something. And most importantly, remember that we measure our success not in dollars, but in the striving for virtue. And when that is our guiding light – we will bear all the fruit that we need.