I visited Acadia National Park last week, and beyond the stunning views, I was struck by how philanthropy had shaped it. George B. Dorr devoted his life protecting the land, while John D. Rockefeller Jr. donated thousands of acres and personally financed the carriage roads and bridges that still guide visitors today. His vision: limit cars, preserve nature, and keep the park accessible for generations.
Acadia is just one example of many where 𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿’𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲. It has also inspired me to explore the intersection of short-term projects and long-term systems in my forthcoming book 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘰𝘯𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘪𝘵 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘹, for funders, nonprofit leaders, and social innovators.
So next time you visit a park, museum, or any community space, take a moment to ask: 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦? Chances are, there is a story of philanthropy behind it.