Rollins-Luetkemeyer Matching Challenge

The McDonogh Forever Campaign was launched with the once-in-a-lifetime gift: a $30 million matching challenge grant from Baltimore's Rollins-Luetkemeyer (R-L) Foundation. The matching grant is the largest gift in the school’s 138-year history and the largest made to an independent school in Maryland.

A familiar name on McDonogh's campus, the Rollins-Luetkemeyer Foundation is the school's largest benefactor. The foundation has awarded millions to McDonogh over the years.

The connection between McDonogh and the foundation is alumnus Beale Rollins. Rollins, a scholarship student and valedictorian of the class of 1915, became an attorney, businessman, and 27-year McDonogh trustee who repaid the school many times over until his death in 1985.

Rollins built his fortune as president of Johnson Motor Lines, a trucking company that once operated 35 terminals between New Orleans and Boston. He and his wife, May, lived on McDonogh’s campus.

John A. Luetkemeyer, Sr. was Beale Rollins' banker and friend. A shrewd financial manager, Luetkemeyer influenced Rollins to sell Johnson Motor Lines before the trucking industry’s decline.

In 1961, the two established the Rollins-Luetkemeyer Foundation to perpetuate their charitable interests in education and the arts. John's son, Jack Luetkemeyer, Jr., oversees the foundation today.

To take advantage of this spectacular match and make a gift to the McDonogh Forever campaign, please contact Geoffrey Butler, head of advancement, at 410-581-4765 or gbutler@mcdonogh.org.