Author: Josh Medore | Photos courtesy of Seals Family
When Molly Seals opened the Seals Family Endowment Fund, it was the culmination of a lifetime of giving back and an evolution of the kind of philanthropy she had practiced since childhood.
“There are so many people and families in need. People are not sitting and awaiting a handout, rather they are awaiting an opportunity — an opportunity to be, an opportunity to learn, an opportunity to grow and an opportunity to move forward in their life and in their children’s life,” Molly says. “Giving allows you to be a part of that, regardless of how small or large you give.”
Both Molly and her husband, George, both grew up poor, though she says that neither recognized it until they were adults. Surrounded by “love, music and a strong sense of faith,” giving back to the community and supporting others set them on the path of philanthropy from a young age.
“My husband and I are the first in our families to engage in philanthropy this way,” she says. “Both our families tithed to our churches, and through that was able to assist youth through the church, but neither had any experience with any other form of giving or philanthropy.”
Today, the Seals Family Fund is primarily focused on serving children of color and providing them with the education, mentoring, life experiences and sense of belonging that will lead to a life as strong citizens who give back to their communities as well. A guiding principle for the Seals family are what Molly calls the Four L’s of Life: to live, to love, to learn and to leave your own legacy.
“If we can do that, then we believe that we will have made a difference that extends well beyond our own lives,” Molly says. “We want to help change the lives of some (even if only a few) young women and men who will go on to positively change the lives of others.”
By creating a family donor-advised fund, Molly and George have ensured that their legacy will carry on after them as their children and grandchildren will take over decision-making for the fund.
“Given our common experience and our passion about helping others, it was really important to us to open the fund and start a family tradition of giving back to the community,” Molly says.
Notable Grant Awards from the Seals Family Fund
- YSU Foundation- creation of a scholarship for students of color at Youngstown State
- Associated Neighborhood Centers- to support community services
- Junior Civic League- to support transportation for the League’s COVID-19 vaccination program
