Philanthropy: It's a family affair for the Feldbergs

Sumner L. Feldberg '45, MBA ‘49
"Philanthropy has been an important part of my life," says Sumner L. Feldberg '45, MBA '49, retired board chairman of the TJX Companies and BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. in Framingham, Massachusetts." It's an activity I inherited from my father and uncle, who were very charitable; they had a significant influence on me. Philanthropy is part of our family tradition. Over the years, I have often talked with my children, Ellen and Michael, about giving. I stressed two things to them. First, give to the causes you care about and where you have some involvement. Second, the best tax shelter is the charitable deduction, and the gift of appreciated stock makes a lot of sense."

Sumner is active with the Class of 1945 and has been deeply involved in Harvard affairs for many years. He has created a scholarship fund at the College and funded a professorship at the School of Public Health. He has also established a professorship at the College in memory of his parents. Currently, he is on the advisory board of the Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations at the John F. Kennedy School of Government.

"I give to Harvard in appreciation for my education and because of Harvard's role in the world," Sumner says. "The University does a magnificent job of providing effective leadership on the national and international scene. Many of the faculty of the University influence faculty members elsewhere. Harvard attracts talented students who go on to achieve great things, and Harvard plays a significant role in improving the world."

Sumner is also deeply committed to Jewish causes, including Boston's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brandeis University, Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Boston, and the United Jewish Appeal.

"Jewish causes are a top priority for me," he says. "The impact of the Holocaust and the founding of the state of Israel have instilled in me a desire to help people who have suffered or been displaced. My parents felt deeply about these problems and I have tried to carry on that tradition."

Part of Sumner's estate will be left to his private family foundation to be administered by his children and stepchildren. "I plan to get all five of them together to begin working collectively," he explains. "It matters to me that my children are philanthropic. I hope that they will want to develop generosity in their own children."

Ellen (Feldberg) Gordon ‘76
"Harvard means a lot to me," says Ellen Gordon '76 of Newport Beach, California. "Harvard provided a fine education and opened doors for me, and is still an important part of my life."
Ellen has been involved at Harvard with the Task Force on Women and leadership, the Schools and Scholarships Committee, and as a Radcliffe trustee in the early 1990s. Formerly an advertising executive, Ellen is currently a full-time mother to twins, Rebecca and Laura, and son Jonathan.

Her key philanthropic interest is scholarship support, and she has started scholarship funds at Harvard College, Pegasus School, and Sage Hill School, a new independent high school in Newport Beach slated to open in fall 2000. Ellen is a trustee at Sage Hill and at Girls, Inc. of Orange County, a branch of a national organization helping girls become competent adults.

"Education takes place in a variety of venues," she explains, "and it is important that the community of scholars – at every level – be a diverse one. Financial aid gives talented kids, regardless of ability to pay, access to quality education. I want to make sure that happens at the school I am involved with."

Ellen is creating her scholarship fund at Harvard and Sage Hill through a charitable lead trust. "My father gave me the idea," she says. "I am simply using the lead trust to make the gifts I intended for Harvard and Sage Hill but have the added benefit of passing the assets on to my three children.

"I am fortunate that my grandparents were role models for me," says Ellen, explaining the family culture of volunteering and giving back. "Along with my father, they set an example of what I want to do for my children."

Michael S. Feldberg '73, JD ‘77
"The best part of Harvard is the students," says Michael S. Feldberg, '73, JD '77, a trial lawyer in New York, explaining why he created a scholarship fund for Harvard College. "Obviously, the great faculty were a critical part of my four years, but the best part of the experience was interacting with the talented individuals who made up my class. We were exposed to an amazing collection of people who struggled with core issues and ideas that mattered.

"For those reasons," he adds, "I want to do my part to help eliminate the economic obstacles to admission. Both the kids who can afford to attend Harvard and those who get the financial aid benefit from Harvard scholarship programs. Financial aid is very important."

Michael used a charitable lead trust to fund his gift to the College. "It's a 'no-brainer,'" he says. "It's an efficient way to benefit Harvard and my children at the same time. Moreover, the Harvard Management Company manages my money. Using this trust to transfer assets to my children (sixteen, thirteen and ten) raises important questions," he explains. "I want them to have a good education and flexibility in choosing a career, but I do not want to rob them of initiative. The lead trust allows me to contribute to Harvard while still preserving assets for my children in the future," he says.

"My father and I talk about these issues as well as philanthropy and estate planning. I am lucky to have grown up in a family where we openly discussed these kinds of questions. Philanthropy is an important part of my life; there are too many things in the world that need improvement."

© 2008 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved.