George W. McManus, Jr. '39, member emeritus of the Calvert Hall Board of Trustees and local rags-to-riches powerhouse attorney, has pledged $8.5 million to endow a charitable fund at the Baltimore Community Foundation.

McManus, who grew up extremely poor in Baltimore’s Hamilton neighborhood in the 1920s, attended Catholic schools from first grade through college -- St. Dominic’s, Calvert Hall, then Loyola College – entirely tuition free. He promised to return the favor if ever wealthy enough to do so.

After serving in the Navy and attending Harvard Law, McManus built a successful law career, arguing precedent-setting cases in which, McManus said, he helped the “little guy beat the big guy.” Early on, he made a habit of giving back to the organizations which had shaped and sustained him, and those which he felt had the best chance at making a difference in his hometown.

Now McManus has unveiled a plan to continue his philanthropy in a big way, forever. His estate plan includes a major bequest and a charitable trust which combined will result in a permanent charitable fund of $8.5 million: the George W. McManus Jr. Foundation Fund at the Baltimore Community Foundation.

The majority of the fund will provide annual grants to the organizations McManus made charitable priorities during his lifetime:  The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, Calvert Hall College High School, McDonogh School, Loyola University of Maryland, Marian House, Legal Aid Bureau of Maryland, Harvard Law School and Saints Philip & James Roman Catholic Church.

A portion of the fund will be advised by the next generation of McManuses, continuing the family tradition of giving.  “Money is a means to an end,” said McManus. “If you are blessed with more than you need, then you should share it with your fellow men.”

ABOUT THE BALTIMORE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

The Baltimore Community Foundation is a private philanthropic organization created by Baltimoreans to serve the current and future needs of the Baltimore region. Representing the common interests of a diverse pool of donors who care about Baltimore, BCF uses grants, initiatives and advocacy to address issues facing the region today, while building a civic endowment to address the needs of future generations. BCF also offers donors customized support for their individual philanthropic goals, expert assistance in learning more about the causes they care about, and the opportunity to join others with similar interests to learn and give together.

Quick facts: The Baltimore Community Foundation distributed $26 million in 2011 to hundreds of nonprofit organizations in the Baltimore region and beyond. BCF comprises more than 600 different charitable funds created by a diverse group of individuals, families and corporations. More information is available online at www.bcf.org.