Positive Impact: Big Dog Endowment Sends Aid to Africa

The Big Dog Endowment, created by TLU alums Dave Sather and Carol Klages, is designed to teach effective altruism and the business of philanthropy at the same time. Each semester, students participating in the program divide into teams and do extensive research on worthy causes around the world. Their goal: to figure out where funds channeled from the endowment can have the biggest positive impact. Teams present their ideas at an event known as Philanthropitch, and a group of judges evaluates the presentations, selecting one standout-and then $25,000 is put toward that cause.

The endowment is unique in many ways. It's run by current TLU students who actually serve on its board along with mentors who provide education and guidance. By semester's end, a great cause gets a boost while students take home some pretty profound lessons.

This year's Philanthropitch focused on international causes. The winning team consists of Xavier Simpson, Valerie Vilelreal, and Emma Martinez, who chose CAMFED as their deserving cause. CAMFED (Campaign for Female Education) is an international non-profit whose mission it is to eradicate poverty in Africa through the education of girls and the empowerment of young women.

And thanks to Big Dog Endowment, the organization will receive some much welcome support.

Special thanks to judges Dave Sather, philanthropist and CEO/founder of Sather Financial Group; Dr. Efrain Medina, TLU assistant professor and MBA program director; Dr. Judy Hoffmann, emerita professor, grant specialist, and co-founder of the TLU SISE Program; and Ian Burden, president of Alcester Holdings Texas and Retired Division vice president for Global Brands and Distribution with Alamo Group. Special guests at the event also included Seguin Mayor Donna Dodgen and City Manager Steve Parker.