With life changes come new interests, adventures, and experiences. Jim St. George and Mark Sullivan know this well, having recently found a passion for philanthropy after retiring from careers in politics.

St. George, a Minnesota native and University of Minnesota alumnus, and Sullivan, a Michigan native and University of Michigan graduate, met during graduate school at Harvard University.

The couple worked in policy and politics before retiring and moving to New York City in 2018.

“We fell into a crowd of classical musicians that led to some people in jazz and musical theater,” St. George recalls. “What we discovered is that that world is so exciting and inspiring.”

So began a new passion for the performing arts that is now leading them back to their undergraduate roots and discovering the joy of giving back.

Sharing experiences

When they started talking about their estate plans, the couple reflected on their time in college.

“The University of Minnesota was a path to other places,” St. George remembers. “When I was an undergraduate, studying abroad was unimaginable … I want students here to have more [learning abroad] opportunities.”

“There’s a special place in my heart for those years,” Sullivan adds, “and when we were thinking about what we each wanted to do with our resources, we wanted to help bring that same experience to someone else.”

Their love of performing arts and gratitude for their undergraduate experiences first led the couple to make estate gifts benefiting theater, music, and study abroad programs at their alma maters.

Impact in action

It wasn’t until they connected with the University of Minnesota to share their plans that they learned they could direct their gift to areas they felt passionate about. Through these conversations, they were inspired to support students both now and in the future.

This year, their giving has allowed students to travel the world and immerse themselves in the arts. It also has brought world-class musicians to campus.

“I love hearing the students’ stories, watching their excitement, seeing them put themselves out there. It didn’t really occur to us that it would become something we’d be actively involved in,” St. George says. “We get to see that impact now.”

Learn how you can make an estate gift to the University of Minnesota.