Editorial
Front Page - Friday, October 22, 2010
Lyndhurst Foundation focusing on revitalization
David Laprad
Bruz Clark is the president of The Lyndhurst Foundation, which directs its giving toward “the enhancement and enrichment of the natural, educational, cultural and urban environment of Chattanooga and the surrounding region.”
- David Laprad
For individuals, charitable giving is often a matter of the heart. Someone sees a problem, whether it’s domestic violence, inner city poverty or a disease for which there’s no cure, and is moved to give money to those who are trying to help. Many philanthropic foundations operate the same way, and with good reason: most people are naturally concerned about other human beings and the world around them.
The trustees and staff at The Lyndhurst Foundation have no shortage of compassion, but their philanthropy incorporates equal parts sympathy and analysis. For them, charitable giving is as much a matter of the mind as it is the heart.
Bruz Clark, president of the foundation, explains: “Giving away money is fairly easy. Giving away money well is fairly difficult. You have to be thoughtful to achieve meaningful results with philanthropy. Luck plays a role in everything we do, but there is an advantage to being well-researched and more strategic in your approach.”
By law, Lyndhurst must give away five percent of its $185 million worth of assets each year. But instead of simply reviewing proposals, making selections based on core priorities and cutting a check, the trustees and staff at Lyndhurst work to identify strategic partners whose interests are aligned with those of the foundation. The idea, Clark says, is for Lyndhurst to maximize the use of its resources.
A statement on the home page of the foundation says the organization directs its giving toward “the enhancement and enrichment of the natural, educational, cultural and urban environment of Chattanooga and the surrounding region.” This encompasses a broad range of efforts, including historic preservation, the arts, education, neighborhood redevelopment, outdoor recreation and regional conservation. Lyndhurst also supports many social service organizations.
Although the foundation is tucked away behind tall trees in a stately Victorian house on East Fifth Street, there are few places in Chattanooga where one can stand and not be within eyesight of something the organization has touched with its giving. Moreover, if one were to stand on the mountains that border the Scenic City and look beyond its borders, one would see land Lyndhurst has helped to preserve, as the foundation extends aid across the entire Southern Appalachian mountain region.
“Our interests there are the protection of our premiere natural assets. We’re really focused on projects that translate directly into the protection of biologically diverse forested and aquatic systems,” Clark says.
Lyndhurst was established in 1938 as The Memorial Welfare Foundation. T. Cartter Lupton, son of John T. Lupton, one of the three pioneers of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company, used a portion of his estate to start the establishment.
“His priorities were somewhat conventional for that time: religious, educational and social service organizations. The foundation operated rather anonymously, as he was a reclusive and quiet philanthropist. His charitable giving did a lot of good in a lot of places,” Clark says.
When Cartter Lupton passed away in 1977, his son, Jack, took over the foundation. According to Clark, he wanted the organization be more assertive in terms of trying to accomplish specific goals, especially those centered on the revitalization of Chattanooga and the conservation of the surrounding region. The foundation also changed its name from Memorial Welfare to Lyndhurst.
“Lyndhurst was the name of a town in England the Lupton family liked to visit. It was also the name of Mr. Cartter Lupton’s estate in North Chattanooga, which has since been torn down,” Clark says.
Today, Lyndhurst consists of an eight-member board of trustees and a staff of five, all of whom either live in Chattanooga or have lived in the city at one time or another, ensuring the board has a strong connection to its community. This benefits Chattanooga, as there’s an overlap of the interests of the trustees and the priorities of the foundation.
“This community is where we focus most of our resources. So familiarity of place is a vital piece of what we are and what we do. We genuinely care and are serious about advancing the improvement of Chattanooga through the philanthropy of Lyndhurst,” Clark says.
Of the trustees, six are descendants of the founder of the organization, including one fourth-generation Lupton. This gives the organization a keen sense of the history of Chattanooga and its key players.
Clark says some people see the longevity of the board as a liability, but he sees it as an asset.
“If you use corporations as an analogy, people are always looking for fresh thinking and new ideas. We’ve experienced some of that through transitions in our staff. But if you’re curious, and a self-starter and a self-learner, your thinking doesn’t necessarily get tired or old. And this field attracts people who tend to be curious.”
It also appeals to people who understand the importance of everyone in a community working together to make things happen. With that in mind, Clark says Lyndhurst is one part of a larger formula for the success of Chattanooga.
“Philanthropy provides res-ources where money is needed quickly and thoughtfully, but if you look at the resources of the government and the private sector, charitable giving is a small piece of the total financial pie.
That said, I don’t think we would’ve seen as rapid a transformation of our city had local foundations not been available to play the role they’ve played. Innovative, progressive communities usually have a philanthropic base.”
Moving forward, Lyndhurst plans to continue to be a part of the groundwork of Chattanooga. Although the foundation’s portfolio suffered a loss as a result of the economic downturn of 2008, it met every one of its obligations, and intends to continue to do so. In addition, in 2011, the foundation will reach the end of a multiyear grant cycle, giving it the opportunity to assess its grant making priorities in preparation for the launch of another multiyear plan.
“From time to time, it’s important to take stock, figure out what you’re doing well and could do better, and then act on that information,” Clark says.
With its considerable assets, the extensive knowledge of its trustees and the deep love its entire board and staff have for Chattanooga and the surrounding area, Lyndhurst is an important part of the revitalization of the Scenic City.
Look for the foundation to continue to help make Chattanooga a great place to live for many years to come.
For more information about The Lyndhurst Foundation, including instructions for applying for a grant, visit www.lyndhurstfoundation.org.
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