The 5 Pillars of Giving
Devised at the Santa Fe retreat in 2023 with facilitation from The Dallas Foundation. Each pillar is supported by real partner organizations — real relationships, not abstract categories.
Pillar 1
Safety & Security
Partner: Tedford Housing (Brunswick, Maine)
Everyone deserves a safe place to sleep. Tedford Housing provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, and support services in the Brunswick area. The family’s support helps ensure that families and individuals experiencing homelessness have not just a roof, but a path forward. Stability starts with home.
Tedford Housing partnership photo
Pillar 2
Creating Opportunities
Partner: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bath/Brunswick
Every child deserves a champion. BBBS matches young people with caring adult mentors, creating relationships that change trajectories. One consistent, caring adult can make the difference between a child who falls through the cracks and one who thrives. This pillar isn’t just about writing checks — it’s about investing in human connection.
BBBS mentoring photo
Pillar 3
Strengthening Communities
Partners: Maine Island Trail Association (MITA) & Harpswell Heritage Land Trust (HHLT)
Bailey Island isn’t just where the family gathers — it’s where they fell in love with the Maine coast. MITA maintains a 375-mile water trail connecting islands along the coast, ensuring public access to wild, beautiful places. HHLT preserves the forests, shores, and trails of the Harpswell peninsula. This pillar ensures the landscapes that have shaped the family remain accessible and protected for generations to come.
Pillar 4
Meeting Basic Human Needs
Partner: Guatemala Humanitarian Partners
The most personal of all the pillars — this is where it all started. Since 2014, the family has traveled to Guatemala every year as hands-on volunteers: installing wood-burning stoves that replace dangerous open fires, setting up water filters for clean drinking water, and supporting schools, job training programs, and healthcare services in rural communities.
Read the full Guatemala story →
Pillar 5
Community Engagement & Gather for Good Events
Partners: Harpswell Anchor & the Bailey Island / Harpswell community
Philanthropy doesn’t have to be distant. Gather for Good events bring the community together on the oceanfront lawn at Barnacle Cottage on Bailey Island — equal parts celebration and fundraiser, a chance for the family and their neighbors to share a beautiful evening while raising awareness and support for the causes that matter.
See upcoming events →Gather for Good event photo