Chapter 20 - LILY CHOOSES THE FOUNDATION
At twenty-one, Lily surprised everyone by applying for an internship at the Morello Family Foundation.
I asked why.
“Because everybody assumes I hate it.”
“Do you?”
“I don’t know enough.”
Correct.
She applied through the public process.
Used her surname, obviously.
Conflict disclosed.
A committee without family members reviewed candidates.
She was selected for a summer program role, not governance.
Lucinda heard and sent a note:
Your mother would have been excellent chair someday.
Lily replied:
I’m an intern.
Excellent.
Then Lily discovered foundation administration had changed completely.
Independent grant committees.
No family event staff.
No Stewardship Office.
Clear conflict policies.
The institution Evelyn fought for existed.
Not because Evelyn won Orchard House.
Because governance reform continued after the crisis.
Then a grant applicant connected to a cousin failed review.
The cousin called Lily.
“Can you help?”
“No.”
“Just ask someone.”
“No.”
The cousin said:
“You’re a Morello.”
Lily answered:
“I’m also an intern.”
I nearly framed the email.
Did not.
Children should not become monuments to parental lessons.
Still proud.
At summer’s end Lily decided philanthropy was not her career.
She preferred documentary filmmaking.
May you like
The foundation survived her disinterest.
Good.
