Paying it Forward

I believe in the mission of the institution.

Jim McDonald remains as convinced as ever of the importance of natural health care. An executive vice president of Northwestern, Jim has been a consistent donor for almost 30 years. “I believe in the mission of the institution,” he says. “Natural health care is one of the most important ways that we can maintain our health and because of that, our professions have a very integral place in the healthcare market.”

As a member of the President’s Circle, Jim set a personal goal to bring 100 new friends, colleagues and professional associates into that group of donors. “When I ask people for donations, I can tell them I’m doing it too. It’s a thousand bucks a year and all of it helps.”

Jim has a strong commitment to giving for numerous reasons. “I believe in paying it forward. It helps the next generations of natural health care providers and keeps tuition down. Our research has also been a major factor in adding to the body of knowledge as has the tremendous help we provide legislatively to the profession. It all costs money and we have to pay for that.”

Jim says working for Northwestern – in itself – isn’t a sufficient contribution to support the future of natural health care. He’s emphatic about doing more. “I cannot legitimately make a life commitment to something if I don’t do it with my pocketbook, too.”