Tartu Academy of Theology in Estonia

A Life in Philanthropy

Since moving to a senior cooperative community, I am often asked what my work was. I usually describe myself as a nonprofit administrator, someone who spent a career helping families of extreme wealth direct their resources toward causes they cared about. Over the years, I worked with foundations supporting education, relief for the homeless, disability services, health and stroke prevention, the arts, and animal welfare.

The greatest blessing of that career was how rewarding it felt. Even after retiring, I continue volunteering. It seems only right to give back in gratitude for the opportunities I had.

Looking back, I sometimes wonder what it means to leave a mark. Many of us feel like “regular folks,” unsure if we’ve made a lasting difference. For me, philanthropy was one way to balance prosperity with generosity. And while I now see the deep disparities around us more clearly, I believe even small acts of kindness and support can ripple outward and bring hope.

That belief leads me to share an invitation. The president of the Ministries of Tartu Academy of Theology is traveling from Estonia to Denver and will present the academy’s work to a group of us at Bethany Lutheran Church. If you’d like to join a small gathering to hear how this ministry serves as a beacon of hope in a region facing great challenges, please join us.

📩 RSVP for details: Please register to receive the exact location and event information.