“Educate. Empower. Transform.” That’s the personal motto of Earl and Kay Harbaugh, a motto that captures the impact they’ve made over decades of altruism in their own community—anId all around the world.

As a nurse and educator, Kay’s entire adult life has centered around giving back. She devoted nearly 40 years as a volunteer and 12 years as a board member to Delnor Hospital. In 2013, thanks to the Harbaughs’ generosity, the Kay L. and Earl K. Harbaugh Clinical Simulation Lab opened at Delnor Hospital. The lab features high-tech mannequins programmed to display thousands of lifelike symptoms, allowing nurses to receive more realistic and immersive training.

When Earl and Kay wanted to see more impact through their philanthropy, they considered starting a private foundation. Through Earl’s good friends, the late Charlie Thurston (a DuPage Foundation Trustee Emeritus), and John Kaiser (who is now a DuPage Foundation Trustee), Earl and Kay learned about the many benefits of donor-advised funds and working with DuPage Foundation.

Ultimately, the Harbaughs decided to establish a donor-advised fund at the Foundation to support their favorite local causes. Some of these include Bridge Communities, Inc., DuPagePads, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Ray Graham Association, and The GardenWorks Project.

“Educate and Empower”

Education is a driving force for the Harbaughs’ philanthropy. They honored Earl’s alma mater by donating to Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. In total, the Harbaughs funded two scholarships, an international program endowment, an endowment for entrepreneurship, a teaching excellence endowment, and also created the Harbaugh Entrepreneurship Faculty Scholar position.

“You can’t transform people unless you can educate and empower them first,” said Earl.

In 2012, Earl received the Penn State Distinguished Alumni Award, the University’s highest individual award. It’s something that wouldn’t have happened without the generosity of others.

“Having chaired several major committees at Penn State and raising $150 million for the cause of Agriculture, you gain an appreciation for philanthropists,” said Earl. “You get a feel as a giver of what other people are thinking, and that educates us.”

Through his tenure as CEO of Ditch Witch Midwest, Earl never forgot his roots. Kay credits the people who helped him in the early days of his career, and said he would not have been in a position to succeed without them.

“When you have all that help, you want to reciprocate and give help to other people,” said Kay.

Under Earl’s direction, all Ditch Witch employees were encouraged to participate in a day of service and donate to their favorite charity. Retired for 10 years, he said it was important for him to lead by example.

“Nothing else comes into play unless you care,” said Earl.

“It’s About Caring”

All of the Harbaughs’ children are engaged in philanthropy in their own ways. Their daughter, Leanne, spent several years overseas for mission work in Indonesia and Bangladesh, helping women obtain microloans to start small businesses. She now serves as a member of our Grant Committee.

“I feel very fortunate and blessed that my parents have modeled for us the spirit of generosity,” said Leanne. “They have not only given financially but also have given of their time and talents to the many committees and organizations on which they have served.”

Growing up in Pennsylvania, Earl was an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates and admired Roberto Clemente for what he did—both on and off the field. When he thinks about the impact his family’s philanthropy has made, he often remembers a famous quote from another baseball legend, Jackie Robinson: “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”

That quote stayed with Earl for life.

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