The Bolles School recently announced an anticipated $3.4 million estate gift from Jacksonville philanthropist Betsy Lovett. This act of generosity is expected to support the school’s financial aid program, which provides students with need-based tuition assistance to attend Bolles and will establish the Betsy Lovett Financial Aid Endowment.
“This gift ensures that even more generations of our students will benefit from Mrs. Lovett’s kindness,” said Bolles Chief Advancement Officer Carol Nimitz. “A gift of this size powerfully contributes to the longevity and sustainability of the school’s mission of diversity, which includes students from all different kinds of socioeconomic backgrounds. On average, one out of every five students at The Bolles School receives some form of financial aid assistance. Last year, Bolles provided over $5 million in financial aid. With the nation’s challenging economic environment, this demand is continuing to grow. Mrs. Lovett’s endowment will only continue to grow over time. We are grateful that Mrs. Lovett thought of Bolles in her estate planning and remain humbled to continue receiving her support.”
Lovett had many fond memories of her days as a Bartram student, and she continued to show her devotion to Bolles over the years. Lovett left a lasting mark at Bolles by building the Betsy Lovett Arts Center on the Middle School Bartram Campus in 2008. Bolles students have thrived in this state-of-the-art facility ever since.
Lovett’s daughter, Elizabeth Lovett Colledge ’70 (Bartram), was present for the anticipated gift announcement, which was appropriately made in the Betsy Lovett Arts Center on Nov. 16 during the school’s Grandparents’ Day celebrations. Lovett has many grandchildren, nieces and nephews who attend or have attended Bolles.
“Beginning with Betsy Ross Lovett and her sister Caroline Ross Burroughs, three generations of our family have attended the Bartram School for Girls or The Bolles School,” said College. “All benefited from the excellent education and moral values instilled by these two institutions. Having previously funded the Betsy Lovett Center for the Arts at the Bartram Campus, Betsy left a significant gift to Bolles for financial assistance for current and future students. We are grateful for our education and excited that Betsy’s gift will provide this opportunity for others. We encourage all parents and grandparents to consider expanding their investment in Bolles’s future.”
