In this edition of Porter’s Voices, we sit down with Major Gift Officer Roxanna Booth to learn more about her role at Porter’s.
What is one thing you wish people knew about annual giving and its importance to the school’s mission?
The one thing that you should know about giving to the Annual Fund is that it feels GOOD to support something you care about. On Farmington Give Day, I made my first gift to Miss Porter’s School and joined nearly 900 other donors, surpassing last year’s totals!
The Annual Fund is at the heart of everything that happens on campus; every single gift, no matter the amount, makes an impact. Gifts to the Annual Fund go to where it is most needed and put to work immediately. It provides the school leadership with the ability to plan strategically and make thoughtful decisions based on what is in the best interests of the girls. A strong Annual Fund allows the institution to work concurrently on growing our endowment, further bolstering our strength as an institution. This critical financial stability has enabled us to become a more intentionally equitable community.
Whether an Ancient, parent, grandparent, faculty, staff or student, making a gift to the Annual Fund is choosing to stand-up and be counted. It enables the school to continue to focus on our mission to educate young women to become informed, bold, resourceful and ethical global citizens, who can shape a changing world.
I made my gift in honor of the Senior Class and the Second Head of School’s Committee for their hard work on the Senior Gift Campaign. It felt meaningful to be part of something bigger than myself and it builds my sense of belonging to this special community.
Looking ahead, what goals or initiatives are you most excited about for the upcoming year, and how can community supporters help make a difference through their engagement and generosity?
I am looking forward to the start of the new school year around Labor Day as well as Reunion and Family Weekend in October and the chance to meet more community members. I am enjoying working with the Class of 1965 on plans for their 60th Reunion efforts.
With bold and ambitious goals for the upcoming year, I look forward to working with our outstanding team to secure these resources and engage our community in this effort. As I write this the campus is quiet and I am planning visits with members of the community around the summer socials that take place in early August.
As a Major Gifts Officer my goal is to engage stakeholders philanthropically in a way that fits into their lives and is meaningful to them and the institution. This is an exciting time to be at Miss Porter’s School and I feel fortunate to have this opportunity. I look forward to meeting many of you out in the world or here on campus.
What are some of your hobbies or interests outside of work, and how do you spend your free time?
I love spending time with my 21-year-old daughter, who is a sophomore at the University of Vermont in Burlington. I have been able to visit and get to know the area with her and enjoy Lake Champlain. One of my favorite things is to be outdoors. I hike and believe in the benefits of Forest Bathing, which is the Japanese practice of spending time in nature, to promote physical and mental well-being. I grew up in Litchfield, CT and was an avid horseback rider. I returned to it nearly two years ago at the urging of an old friend and I found that it is like riding a bicycle, you never really forget. Combined with my love of travel and exploration, I have been able to ride horses on my two last adventures in Mongolia and Iceland.
Finally, I enjoy reading biographies and historical fiction. Fun fact– I have been in the same book group for almost 25 years and Geraldine Brooks is my favorite author.