Every institution has stories to tell.

For some, these stories lie in their history: their founders, their patrons, or the challenges that they’ve had to overcome. For others, they’re the important things that people are doing today: volunteers building homes, students growing into leaders, or researchers finding cures. For others, their stories are simply a matter of describing that which sets them apart and makes them unique.

With a rich history and a proud culture of educating young men, St. Aloysius’ College in Sydney, Australia has many great stories to tell. And, according to The Guinness Book of World Records, it also has something unique: the world’s oldest teacher.

“Father Geoffrey Schneider, SJ, our Junior School Chaplain and Religious Education teacher, was in his 74th year of teaching when he turned 100 years old,” said Murray Happ, Director of Development at St. Aloysius. “To celebrate the milestone, we asked him to serve as the patron for our annual campaign. Who better to tell our stories than the very subject of one of our own?”

Father Schneider not only agreed to serve as patron, but he insisted on being involved in the planning and letter writing process. “And he was quick to correct any poor grammar,” joked Happ.

Was the campaign a success? Yes! Nearly 20% of all constituents made a gift, and there was an increase in the amount of money raised, by over 5%.

Indeed, every institution has stories to tell. They are, in essence, the case for support. What’s your story?

Want to learn more? CLICK HERE for AGN’s Webinar on Storytelling in Annual Giving.