Scotch College Philanthropy Impact Report 2021

The Most Powerful Weapon to Change the World
Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa and Nobel Laureate said it best; “Education
is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa
and Nobel Laureate said it best; “Education is
the most powerful weapon which you can use to
change the world.”
It will surprise some that Scotch not only believes
in what Mandela said but also puts aside nearly
$1M from its operating budget every year to
provide scholarships to over 100 students in
Mitcham and Torrens Park Campus. A majority
of these scholarships are “merit- based” and
celebrate potential and achievement, both inside
the classroom as well as outside. Others, like
the Merrylees Centenary Scholar or the Bird in
Hand Scholars, are “needs-based” scholarships
to provide access to a transformational Scotch
education to those that could never afford this
opportunity. Investing nearly $1M every year
is a significant investment, that generates a
tremendous impact on our community, state,
and country.
In 2016, we realised that our ability to provide
access and diversity to students through
scholarships was limited by what we could afford.
So, we sought to change that paradigm. That
year the Scotch College Foundation established
a permanent Scholarship Endowment Fund,
increasing opportunities for young people to
access a Scotch education, as well as enhancing
diversity in the College community. The Fund was
established so the principal, will never be spent.
Donations to this endowment are tax deductible
and a portion of the income generated each
year, through prudent specialised investment, is
provided to the College to fund the Foundation’s
commitment to scholarships, with the remainder
reinvested for growing future scholarship
contributions.
In addition to individual gifts that we received
through the DARE Campaign for the Education
Fund, the End of Year Appeal in 2021 raised nearly
$45,000 for the endowment. We encouraged our
community to donate to build this endowment
because every gift to this pool of money, would
provide benefits for many generations.
Today, Mandela’s legacy lives on in myriad ways
– through the policies he implemented, the
foundations and charities he created and – for
many – through the words he spoke and wrote.
Similarly, those that invest in the education of
others establish similar legacies.
As we consider the crucial factors that enable
children to thrive and reach their fullest potential,
we can all be inspired by this vision, and the
fundamental belief that education can do good
in the world.
Abhra Bhattacharjee,
Director of Philanthropy
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