A legacy of philanthropy
The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps to fund new construction, building renovation, and the purchase of major medical equipment for other nonprofit organizations in Texas and surrounding states. The Foundation was created by John and Lottie Mabee in 1948. John and Lottie were hard workers, innovative entrepreneurs, and shrewd investors. Starting with nothing, they built an impressive oil and gas business and were generous in giving back to the communities that were important to them. Over the years, the Foundation has made grants totaling over $1.5 billion.
2023 marked the 75th anniversary of the Mabee Foundation – a significant milestone. As such, it was decided to capture the story of the Foundation’s creation. After scouring hundreds of articles, photos, and family member interviews, a coffee table book was written, designed and produced by Spire.
The book begins with John’s parents and his birth, covering his and Lottie’s death-defying early days together. The details spotlight how their lives were just as intertwined with charitable giving as their success in business. The book ends with an infographic that showcases their generosity and captures statements from over 50 grant recipients.
It's all in the details
The story is peppered with quotes from John plus images and articles. Custom single-line illustrations are found throughout the book, each one connecting moments relevant to John and Lottie’s story. All illustrations and other key design elements were printed in a metallic gold ink for added emphasis on each page.
