Tabor Receives Historic $10 Million Gift from John Fish ’78, P’15 and Cynthia Fish P’15

MARION, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tabor Academy is proud to announce a transformational $10 million commitment from John Fish ’78, P’15 and his wife Cynthia Fish P’15, marking the largest single pledge of support in the school’s history. Over the past 40 years, John and Cynthia Fish have contributed nearly $20 million in support of Tabor Academy and its priorities, including most recently the resodding of the Upper Chapel Field and the addition of turf to the new Fish Field.

The Fish family has been a long-time advocate for education and a dedicated supporter of Tabor Academy. The Fish family’s generous financial commitment will have a lasting impact on Tabor and will strengthen the foundation of the “School by the Sea” for many generations to come.

Head of School Tony Jaccaci said, “We are deeply grateful to John and Cyndy for this inspirational gift that will allow us to change lives in profound and transformational ways at Tabor. John and Cyndy live the values of our school, and this generosity is a testament to their commitment to connect, serve and lead. A gift of this magnitude will make a deep difference in providing the best education possible for our students and I know will motivate others to support as well.”

This extraordinary investment directly supports Tabor’s Mapping Our Journey strategic plan, advancing key priorities that ensure our students and faculty thrive. The gift will focus on three critical areas:

1) Empowering Excellence: Faculty and Staff Support
Tabor’s strength lies in its people. This gift will enhance professional development opportunities and support the recruitment and retention of outstanding faculty and staff, ensuring Tabor continues to attract and nurture the best educators.

“Tabor is blessed with incredible resources, and perhaps the most valuable resource is the faculty and staff members who work with our students every day. So many Tabor alumni have told me the Tabor faculty changed their lives. This gift will allow us to identify and attract the next generation of educators who will change the trajectory of the lives of our graduates in profound and significant ways. John and Cyndy’s support for our faculty and staff shows they understand these teachers and staff members are the heart of our campus community, are our greatest asset, and are worth every penny invested,” added Jaccaci.

2) Thriving Together as Teams
From the waterfront to the fields and courts, athletics play an integral role in shaping the student experience at Tabor and developing essential life skills through collaborative teamwork and leadership. This gift will bolster our athletic programs, providing essential resources for coaching, training, and programmatic support that will elevate our teams.

“John and Cyndy’s extraordinary generosity will strengthen our athletic program, fostering a culture of excellence both on and off the field. Their support empowers our student-athletes to compete at the highest level while developing the character, teamwork, and resilience that will serve them for a lifetime,” said Kelly Walker, Director of Athletics.

3) Enriching Minds, Enabling Dreams
A Tabor education should be within reach for all talented students who seek it. A significant portion of this gift will be dedicated to financial aid, ensuring that our ‘best-fit’ students—regardless of financial circumstances —can access all that Tabor has to offer.

"Each year, we see a growing number of applicants in need of financial aid, and each year we must turn away accomplished young people who would surely have thrived at Tabor. This gift will allow us to accept more students with the potential to have a positive impact on the Tabor community," noted Rachael Beare, Associate Head of School for External Affairs.

“John and Cyndy's generosity has shaped Tabor in profound ways. Their unwavering commitment ensures that our school remains strong, accessible, and true to its mission,” said Stephen Ginter, Director of Advancement.

“Tabor Academy will always hold a very special place in my heart. While attending Tabor in high school, I built lasting relationships with teachers and coaches who changed my life forever. Through Tabor academics and athletics, I learned the value of collaboration, leadership, courage and caring — core values that are important to me today. But most importantly, at Tabor I learned winning isn’t normal and that anything is possible if you believe in yourself,” said John Fish. “Cyndy and I are thrilled to support this incredible institution of learning and its ambitious plans for the future.”