A Legacy of Servant Leadership
In 1982, Marilyn Thickett had a vision. She saw a need for leadership development within Catholic school student government. In response, she founded The Association of Catholic Student Councils (TACSC), an organization focused on developing moral leaders who positively impact the world.
Since then, more than 42,000 students and hundreds of school administrators have been shaped by Marilyn’s vision—creating a ripple effect of servant leadership that has reached families, communities, and parishes across the country. Her legacy is enduring and expansive.
To honor Marilyn’s profound impact, TACSC is proud to establish the Marilyn Thickett Leadership Legacy Fund. This new endowment will play a critical role in ensuring the long-term sustainability of our mission while reducing our dependence on short-term funding sources. As a permanent investment in our future, the fund will allow TACSC to expand programming and strengthen infrastructure to support future generations of leaders.
Ensuring the Future of TACSC
The world our students are inheriting is more complex than ever—shaped by rapid technological change, persistent social injustices, and global challenges. The need for ethical, capable, and compassionate leaders has never been greater.
TACSC prepares young leaders for that future through a curriculum rooted in four foundational pillars:
- Real-world strategic planning
- Effective communication
- Servant leadership
- Lifelong mentorship
These skills build confidence and resilience in our students, equipping them to lead in their schools, colleges, and communities.
Our growth has been strong, particularly through new partnerships with the Dioceses of Orange and San Diego. But long-term sustainability still faces several challenges:
- Rising Program Costs – Increases in dormitory and meal prices at past camp locations have reduced our capacity and constrained revenue.
- Volunteer Model Limitations – Our train-the-trainer approach, while impactful, struggles to retain qualified leaders as many move on to paid summer jobs or internships.
- Insufficient Fundraising Resources – With limited development staff, our Executive Director carries the burden of fundraising in addition to running the organization.
These challenges make the Leadership Legacy Fund more important than ever.
Honoring a Visionary
The Marilyn Thickett Leadership Legacy Fund offers a reliable and lasting source of income for TACSC. It will help underwrite program expansion, address operational needs, and stabilize the organization against fluctuations in external funding.
This fund is not just a financial tool—it is a tribute. A tribute to a woman who transformed thousands of lives through her belief in the power of young leaders. With your support, we can carry Marilyn’s legacy forward and ensure that future generations continue to benefit from her vision of faith-based servant leadership.
Join Us in Honoring Marilyn
If you would like to contribute to the Marilyn Thickett Leadership Legacy Fund, your donation will directly support the next generation of TACSC leaders—and ensure Marilyn’s vision lives on.
Read Marilyn’s obituary:
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sfgate/name/marilyn-thickett-obituary?id=58055482