The Oak Grove Strategy – Learning from Oxford

By Brandon Allen
Executive Director | Fortify Foundation

New College of Oxford has a rich history as one of the oldest colleges under the Oxford University umbrella in England being founded in 1379. It was the modern marvel of its day and even was the first to capture what has become known as the “quadrangle” concept enclosing the main courtyard by its geometric facilities. As you can imagine, the beauty of the campus is such that it draws visitors from all over the world seeking to see its rich history and witness its architecture. 

Amongst all the beautiful statues, incredible gardens, and historic architecture, the dining hall is one of the pieces that often gets talked about the most. This “great” dining hall has provided a similar backdrop for many modern movies that capture a singular location for a large student body. But that’s not the reason it is most talked about. Despite the size, or beautiful walls, or incredible historic paintings, the reason it’s become a point of interest and discussion through the canals of history is due to what took place over a century ago. Something that was an unfortunate situation has provided one of the greatest examples of what a proper strategic plan can do. 

In the 1860’s, it was discovered that there had been a beetle infestation in the massive 2-foot square, 45-foot long oak beams that facilitated the upper structure and spanned the entire width of the facility. A frustrating situation to say the least. While there most certainly could have been multiple solutions to the problem in our context, the hope was to find similar beams that could take the place of the original structure to both maintain the integrity of the structure and to keep its original charm. As the story goes, it was up to the college council to find and facilitate this seeming drastic undertaking. There would be a suggestion from a junior fellow that directed them to a few foresters to help make this find a little easier. Unfortunately, it would be some time before these initial contacts would have a group of trees mature enough to help with this immediate need. 

After making multiple attempts at finding a successful option, there was another staff member that made an incredible discovery that would alter the entire process. At the inception of the facility, the original building team knew that there would be a time that some of the structure would need to be addressed. It was through some incredible foresight and proper planning that they had carved out some land not to far away and established an oak grove that was planted for this very purpose. It had been nearly 500years since this would become a need, but this seeming new challenge was now no longer an issue. 

I’m sure over time there has been a few different nuances to this story but if there ever was an example of a simple story that shares the tremendous value we could have if we developed some long-term planning, this would be it! 

The builders of New College did not merely construct for their present need; they planned for a future they themselves would never see. They planted trees knowing that someone, even centuries later, would benefit from their foresight. The lesson from this story is both simple and profound.

As Christian administrators, we often operate with a strong sense of mission in the present. Our daily tasks of serving current students, meeting payroll, maintaining facilities, and responding to the immediate needs of families are real and pressing. Yet the story of New College reminds us that wise stewardship must extend beyond the immediate horizon. The institutions that endure are those that prepare today for challenges and opportunities that will arise long after current leaders are gone.

One of the most powerful financial tools available to Christian school administrators for this type of long-term planning is the development of an endowment.

An endowment functions much like the oak grove planted centuries ago. If you are just starting out, it’s like a seed being plantedtoday that we know will bear fruit in the future. We set aside a principal amount that remains intact while a portion of the earnings is used each year to support the mission of the institution. Instead of relying solely on tuition or annual fundraising, an endowment creates a stable, long-term financial resource that strengthens the school, as we like to say, ‘from now until kingdom come’!

The beauty of an endowment is that it transforms one-time gifts into perpetual impact. Proper planning today may help fund scholarships, faculty development, or program expansion not just this year, but every year moving forward. Over time, as additional gifts are added and investments grow, the endowment becomes a financial foundation that provides stability during economic downturns and flexibility when strategic opportunities arise.

For Christian schools in particular, this stability is incredibly valuable. Tuition-driven models can place significant pressure on enrollment and pricing structures. When a school has a well-developed endowment, it gains the ability to provide tuition assistance, support key academic programs, maintain facilities, and invest in innovation.

But here is the greatest challenge… Building an endowment requires the same kind of foresight shown by the founders of New College. It begins with leadership that thinks beyond the next fiscal year and asks larger questions:

-What will our school need fifty years from now?

-How will we ensure that biblical, Christ-centered education remains accessible to future families?

-What resources must be cultivated today so that tomorrow’s leaders can flourish?

The practical steps are not overly complicated, but they do require intentionality. Perhaps most importantly, administrators must cast the vision that giving to an endowment is not simply financial planning, it is kingdom planning. When supporters understand that their generosity will help sustain Christian education for decades or even centuries, many are inspired by the opportunity to participate in something larger than themselves.

In a sense, planting an endowment is like planting those oak trees. The leaders who initiate it may never fully experience its maturity. The greatest benefits will likely be enjoyed by students, teachers, and administrators who have not yet been born.

Yet that is precisely what makes the effort so meaningful.

Christian schools exist because previous generations believed deeply enough in the value of Christ-centered education to sacrifice, build, and invest for the future.

Today’s leaders have the same opportunity. By developing strong endowments and strategic financial plans, they are planting seeds that will allow the mission of Christian education to flourish long after their own season of leadership has passed.

And someday, much like those oak beams at New College, future generations will quietly benefit from decisions that were made long before they arrived.