The Episcopal family expands far beyond current students, parents, and alumni. It includes grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other special family members and friends who watch their loved ones go off to Episcopal and then fall in love with the place themselves. Proud grandparents Bill and Linda Custard GP’22 ’24 are an excellent example of the ties that bind us all.

Inspired by a love of their grandchildren (Isabella ’22 and William ’24) and the influence the School has had on them, the Custards recently joined The Power of Parent Giving, an initiative launched in 2023 as part of Episcopal’s historic Courage Campaign. The initiative aims to raise $30 million from current parents and grandparents to reach the end goal of $150 million.

When asked why they chose to invest in their grandchildrens’ school, the Custards had a simple and powerful answer: They believe in leaving places better than they found them. As lifelong philanthropists to many institutions close to them and their family, the Episcopal grandparents have proven time and again that investing in communities they love is a powerful thing.

As shown by their actions, the Custards believe in living a life of integrity — something they know is a hallmark of Episcopal’s mission. They spoke of how their grandchildren grew throughout their time at Episcopal. “What a wonderful experience it was in every way,” said Linda, “academically, socially, personally, and spiritually.” When they first encountered EHS, they knew that “it was a total immersion in all the values that our family has,” Linda said.

Bill and Linda’s son and daughter-in-law, Allen and Mason, have long been inspired by the patriarch and matriach’s example. “To be a spectator alongside Linda and Bill Custard’s enduring legacy of giving back has been a privilege,” they said. “Their recent gift to EHS reflects the value they place on both education and family. It is a testament to the quality of the education that our children received at EHS.”