A Cornerstone of Giving

“The most important thing the school can do for me as a parent is see my children as the unique individuals that they are,” says Tiffany Dickerhoof. “And at Country Day, they are really seen, known, and loved for who they are; they’re not just numbers or students in seats.”

Parent to Gracie `26, August `26, Charlotte `27, and Sam (St. Xavier `23), Tiffany Dickerhoof has a long history of generous leadership giving to the Annual Fund. But for her and her family, giving runs deeper than just supporting Country Day as an educational institution.

“An outstanding education is one of the most important values for our family,” says Tiffany. “We get so much from the school and there is so much yet to come that the kids will look back on and realize was foundational to their lives.”

The children enrolled at Country Day in February 2021, after years of attending the Cincinnati Waldorf School. Tiffany felt that Country Day possessed the strong academic program she wanted for her children as well as a depth to the arts program, which they have certainly immersed themselves in. August is the lead sound engineer and does Keeler Crew with Evan DiTullio; Gracie has been involved in photography and tech theater and has held the role of properties master for the last two years; and Charlotte is involved in choir has been doing make-up, costumes, and hair design for the theater productions – although this year she’s itching to get back on stage.

All of this tracks, considering Tiffany and her late husband Bryan always had toes in the arts. “I believe the arts are a vital part of any education. Humans are creative beings, and the arts are fundamental to the human experience.”

Following Bryan’s passing in 2018, a charitable giving fund was established in his name – the Bryan O. Dickerhoof Legacy Fund – to honor his commitment to philanthropy. Tiffany said they always valued donating to educational institutions as a cornerstone of giving through the fund.

“My husband, Bryan, passed away prior to the kids attending Country Day but this is the dream we had for them,” says Tiffany. “We made it a priority to give our kids the best education. I absolutely love that a Country Day student can play golf or tennis at the high school level even though they haven’t been playing since they were three years old. I appreciate that the school gives the students opportunities to take trips and get involved in the community through acts of service. We give to the school in Bryan’s honor as his legacy and commitment to education and to the arts. It's a way that Bryan can be a part of this experience at Country Day and connects our whole family to the school.”

Tiffany remarried in 2022, and her second husband, Carey, got to be a part of Country Day. He sadly passed away in September 2023, but not before experiencing what an incredible experience the children were having at school. Tiffany said she’s grateful for that, too.

“Carey was with us when the kids made the transfer to Country Day. He was at every arts event, every choir performance, every play, all the community nights, and opening football games. He also loved the international component of the school; he spent a huge part of his career working abroad and knew how important it is to have a global mindset.”
 
Tiffany gives to the school in Carey’s name because a strong, well-rounded academic experience was a priority for him as well. Speaking openly, Tiffany said it took some time for the kids to adjust to the school’s rigorous academics, but that the Country Day community has been supportive every step of the way and through so many meaningful gestures.

“It's been an incredibly difficult six years for our family and every day my kids go to school I know that somebody is keeping an eye on them and cares just as much about their education, as well as their physical and mental health, as I do. It's a collaboration between me, the faculty, and the administration to grow and develop these children, so I feel less like a single parent and more like I have a partner and a team. If there are pieces I am missing because I have my hands full, I know someone has my back; the teachers genuinely care. I don't think anyone has four kids and thinks they're going to be a single parent one day, and that’s been hard. But when [Upper School librarian] Mr. Tracey-Miller saves a book for Gracie because he knows she would like it…it's something her dad would have done.”

Tiffany said education will always be a cornerstone of their giving.

“When I’m gone, I hope the children will continue this legacy. I feel grateful to be able to give, whether it's through the Annual Fund or as a sponsor for the play, in little ways or in bigger ways. Although Bryan never got to experience our children’s lives as Country Day students, I know he would be thrilled.”