Many years ago I was lucky enough to serve as the Superintendent of Schools in Minneapolis, Minnesota. One of the greatest joys of that job was having the chance to visit teachers and students in their classrooms. One day I went to visit a class of fourth graders. Now, fourth grade is a very special year. From kindergarten through third grade kids are like little sponges—taking it all in. But something magical—and terrifying—takes place in the summer between third and fourth grade. Fourth graders know everything and want to be sure that you know they do.

As I came into the class the teacher said, “Boys and girls we have a very special visitor. We have the Superintendent of Schools with us today. Does anyone know what the Superintendent does?” I had come to the job from outside of education and wasn’t sure myself that I really knew what a Superintendent was supposed to do. No such uncertainty restrained those 25 fourth graders. Almost before the question was out of her mouth every hand in the room was up. One young man in the front was so sure he knew that even with his hand raised he jumped up and yelled out, “The Superintendent is the guy in charge of super-Nintendo!”

The teacher was unphased. She thanked the young man and kept the lesson going by saying, “That was a wonderful interpretation of the language. Actually, the Superintendent is the leader of our schools. Does anyone know what a leader is?”

Again she was greeted by a unanimous show of hands. Way back in the corner was a young lady with her hand raised so high, I feared a shoulder dislocation if she wasn’t called. To my relief, and hers, the teacher called on her. She stood up, got herself ready and spoke these words:

“A leader is someone who goes out and changes things to make things better.”

That’s it. Change things; make things better. If the Bush Foundation wants to be a catalytic leader, it has to be about changing things and making things better.

Back in July, the Foundation presented its Goals for a Decade. That was our declaration of the differences we want to make; the things we want to change to make things better.

Making those differences will take all of our resources—money, staff, knowledge, partnerships and reputation. In the next 10 years we will commit 100% of the money we will pay out—about one-half billion dollars—to making these differences. As we do, we will challenge ourselves to be sure that we will get the most results possible from every dollar.

But money alone will not be enough. Our staff will commit 100% of their time to making these differences as well. We won’t be sitting in our offices waiting to see what happens. Rather we will be in communities, directly engaged in supporting, challenging and improving the work that actually makes the difference.

In addition, we will marshal what we and others know about what works, what doesn’t and what’s missing. Knowledge is a great resource, since it can be used over and over again without wearing out. In fact, as knowledge is used it can actually be improved by sharing what we’re learning. Doing so will be key to making a difference.

Partnerships will also be key. We can and should partner with other foundations, nonprofits, governments, communities and even businesses. Partnerships allow all of us to leverage our resources with the money, staff, knowledge and reputation of others. When it comes to making a difference such leverage is essential, since the differences we want to make are bigger than we are.

Finally, we will put our reputation on the line. We will stand up when our voice will help make a difference, and we will help give voice to those who can make an even bigger difference. We will convene those who need to hear with those who need to share. We will work to bridge the divides between us and rebuild a sense of the common good.

Paul Ylvisaker was among the most highly regarded thinkers and practitioners of the art of philanthropy. He was also my teacher and friend. Paul called foundations society’s “passing gear”—organizations uniquely situated to be catalysts and to accelerate positive changes within communities. We agree and think it is time for us to get going.