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Philanthropist of the Year: J. Taggart Birge
J. Taggart Birge—“Tag” to those who know him—said he’s never thought of himself as a philanthropist.
“I’ve always thought of myself as someone who wanted to try to do some good, and maybe that is a philanthropist, so maybe it’s circular,” he said. “But I didn’t set out to be a philanthropist, per se. I just set out to help where I saw needs.”
Birge, who leads Cornerstone Cos. Inc., one of the nation’s most active medical office building developers, and Birge & Held, a real estate investment and management firm he founded, contributes more than $1.5 million each year to more than 70 nonprofits. Education and the arts are the two main areas where he and his wife, Marta, devote their attention, and they focus on central Indiana.
Their contributions include:
• The Washington Township Schools/North Central ENL Program. The Birges created a $1 million endowment to support English as a New Language students. “All the kids are immigrants, and we’re trying to provide support services to them—tutoring, trips to colleges, supplies if they don’t have them,” he said. “Just filling in the gaps that would allow them again to take advantage of the amazing opportunities our country has, but you have to have the educational background to do it.” As for the focus on non-native English speakers, Birge said, “My family still believes that immigrants made America great.” Also, Marta Birge is a first-generation naturalized citizen from Argentina, “so that’s probably shaped some of my perspectives.”
• Marian University: The Birges established an endowed scholarship for Hispanic students at Marian, many of whom come from North Central High School. They have also created internship opportunities and committed to mentoring students. “We’re going to try to help kids from North Central who can’t qualify for Pell grants reach their dream of going to college,” he said.
• Public art and cultural investment: The Birges helped fund a 30-foot public art sculpture at College Avenue and Westfield Boulevard in Broad Ripple, working with the Penrod Society and local neighborhood associations to enhance public spaces and support community revitalization. “The goal is to bring five to six significant art pieces to our original arts and culture district, which we felt has been somewhat neglected the last decade,” he said.
Birge said he was mentored in philanthropy by Robert Bowen, “who has an amazing family endowment,” and Sid Eskenazi.
“I’ve watched the incredible contributions that they’ve made over their careers,” he said. “I’m deeply passionate about central Indiana’s success and growth, and I’ve always seen education as a way to make sure that more people can rise up and find the American dream. I was blessed with an amazing opportunity to achieve and had every opportunity to go to any educational institution I want to. I’d like to see others that are maybe less fortunate have those doors open to them.”•
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