She gave $1billion to a Medical School in the Bronx.

Dig a little deeper and walk away with some powerful lessons.

You gotta watch THIS: Ruth Gottesman making a $1 billion donation to Albert Einstein Medical School. A singular, watershed moment in philanthropy and a testament to the potential impact of a lifetime of deep, community based engagement. She could’ve started her own foundation. She could’ve passed those funds on to nameless relatives. Instead, she chose to do something extraordinary and make that medical school 100% freaking free, freaking forever.

What an absolute badass!

And not some fancy pants medical school, Albert Einstein. In the Bronx, where “(t)here are people … who are first generation, low-income students who really want to be doctors and want to pursue medicine and want to practice here, but just aren’t able to have the opportunity, whether that’s financial reasons or lack of resources…”

Just, like, dang.

But beneath the headlines lies a crucial lesson: establishing a strong organizational ethos and embodying the values you espouse. Not when it is convenient - but always. She is the Chair of the School’s Board of Trustees. She’s been there for 55 years.

I call this “Organizational Rootstock”.  It’s the name and inspiration for my consulting practice, Rootstock Philanthropy, and I believe it is the key to transformational fundraising.

That’s because rootstock is more than culture; rootstock refers to the foundation of an organization’s identity, its values, how it engages with the community, and how it stewards its most important relationships. Rootstock is the bedrock upon which trust, credibility, and long-term support are built.

In the case of Einstein, their dedication to innovative healthcare and commitment to community well-being cultivated the Rootstock, and Ruth’s 55 years of involvement created the terroir for transformational philanthropy.

This philanthropic milestone took time to happen. But it's about being essential to the community, listening, nurturing relationships, demonstrating impact, and fostering a culture that might lay the groundwork for something this transformative. And by focusing on the rootstock, your organization can create an environment where transformative gifts like this become possible.

So don’t ever chase dollars; ever. Instead, invest in your Rootstock. Develop a clear vision, engage your community, and prioritize meaningful connections. When your Rootstock is strong, the philanthropic fruit will follow.

What do you think?