Promising Futures:
The Unexpected Rewards of Engaged Philanthrophy

Margot Welch

“Have we the will to make a difference in the lives of children?” asks Gene Lang, founder of the I Have a Dream Foundation®. Twenty-five years ago he impulsively promised to put a group of sixth graders through college if they finished high school. What happens to philanthropists who commit themselves to nurturing low-income children through school and on to higher education and mature, responsible citizenry? Often successful entrepreneurs, they’re used to solving problems and taking charge. But they find themselves experiencing the inadequacies of public education, the inefficiencies of social service systems, and powerlessness. And everything changes. They start fighting for tutoring, after school programs, hot breakfasts, housing, eyeglasses, health and legal services. They create new foundations, schools, businesses, and community programs. And the chance to build lasting connections with children is “life-changing in terms of impact,” “a blessing,” “absolutely transformative,” “an enriching lifetime experience.” Investing in children has extraordinary returns.