About Us
The Story
The Big Dog Endowment (Big Dog) was created and funded by Dave Sather and Carol Klages to promote effective and sustainable philanthropy. The funds' purpose is to impact the community in the most positive manner possible.
Big Dog is responsible for properly managing, evaluating, distributing, and monitoring funds to worthy causes. It is expected to grow and fund worthy projects in perpetuity. They aim to achieve this my using a team based approach where ideas are presented and pitched to the board of directors to decide the most effective path for funding.
The Endowment presents a unique opportunity because it is run by current students (at Texas Lutheran University) as members of the board of directors. Student managers serve on the board along with mentors who provide education and mentoring.
The Mission
Enhance philanthropy in a manner that is most impactful and serves as a teaching tool in the process. Although education and animal welfare projects are favored, it is not exclusive to these areas.
Big Dog is designed to strengthen the community while offering TLU students the chance to learn about and practice philanthropy, proper financial management of an endowment, board responsibilities, and leadership.
Students may earn a non-profit certificate and learn to serve as influential board members or start their own endowment fund. Participation is a natural segue to careers in non-profit management and grants students a unique skillset to present future employers.
Students will work closely with the manager of the endowment's assets, while evaluating and making grant requests. Presentations will be delivered to the Board of Directors at the parent foundation covering investment results, grant requests evaluated, and grant requests funded.