Announcing Connected Communities Grant Initiative What makes residents love where they live? What draws people to a place and keeps them there? These are the questions we hope to inspire through our new Connected Communities grant initiative. The Connected Communities grants fund innovative ideas in three focus areas, identified by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Gallup as the most important elements for an attractive community: Vibrant Social Offerings, which support the availability of social community events; Superb Public Spaces, which enhance the beauty and physical setting of the Midland’s community; and Welcoming Community, which supports open and inclusive activities.
“The Knight/Gallup study showed
the connected communities grant initiative funds innovative ideas in three areas: vibrant social offerings, superb public spaces, and welcoming community.
Through the Connected Communities
Field of Interest funds for the arts. These
grant initiative, the Foundation aims to
endowed funds are comprised of gifts from
inspire organizations that engage and
visionary, generous donors who value the
invest in our community to build on the
work of the Foundation. Their gifts have
community’s existing assets. These grants
made it possible for the Foundation to invest
encourage community-wide collaboration,
in the community now and in the future.
spearheaded by Midlands nonprofits, that
In previous years, the Foundation has used
of life and connect folks to our community.”
further knit the community together.
CIE funds for projects like Midlands Gives,
— JoAnn Turnquist, President & CEO of
funded by the Community Foundation’s
the Foundation.
Community Impact Endowment (CIE) and
that cities with the highest rate of attachment had the highest rates of economic growth. We are delighted to fund innovative programs that relate directly to our daily quality
stay connected 2711 middleburg drive, suite 213 columbia, sc 29204
803.254.5601 | 803.799.6663 (F) www.yourfoundation.org info@yourfoundation.org
Connected Communities grants are
Literacy 2030 and the local Transitions homeless shelter’s building campaign. — continued on page 7
we are a nonprofit organization
president’s letter | 2
serving 11 counties in the
news brief | 2
midlands by distributing grants
leaving a legacy | 3
and scholarships and linking the
midlands gives | 4-6
resources of donors, nonprofits
legacy luncheon | 6
and community leaders to areas
recognizing trustees | 7
of need.
events | 8
30 years of giving | 8
NEWS BRIEF
Chair, Judy Davis. At this event, Davis and
In March, Columbia Opportunity Resource
Senior Weatherization Fund Announced at Statehouse
honored the Community Foundation with
In early May, the Foundation participated
programs.
the ‘Make a Difference’ award, an award that
in a press conference with Lt. Gov. Henry
honors a nonprofit organization that is making
McMaster, the Office of Regulatory Staff
a difference in the Columbia area.
and Sustaining Our Seniors to announce the
Trinity Forum Inspires Philanthropic Conversation
development of the Senior Weatherization
Foundation Honored with ‘Make a Difference’ Award
Central Carolina Community Foundation, along with Columbia College, hosted
Turnquist were inspired with new ideas for engaging our community through emerging communication platforms and neighborhood
Staff Members Recognized For Their Leadership
Fund. Thanks to a $1 million donation from Duke Energy Carolinas, this fund will help older South Carolinians make their homes more energy efficient, which will reduce costs and allow residents to remain in their homes.
Midlands’ leaders at The Trinity Forum in early June. The forum inspired ideas and conversation about improving our community through philanthropy, reinforced by a culture that celebrates character and courage.
Knight Foundation Events Spark Ideas Columbia was one of 20 cities invited to participate in the Urban Prototyping Summit held in San Francisco. Mayor Steve Benjamin and JoAnn Turnquist represented the city at the summit where they met with civic innovators from across fields to discuss innovative practices for people-centered, citizen-engaged city-making. JoAnn Turnquist also attended the Knight Foundation’s Media Learning Seminar held in Miami with Board
Two Foundation staff members were recently recognized for their leadership in our community. JoAnn Turnquist, President and CEO, was again selected for the Free Times Top 50 Power List, a list that answers the question, “Who gets things done in Columbia?” Ebony Perkins, Donor Relations Manager, was honored with the “A Midlands Woman On The Move” award from The Blindspot Art Foundation, an award that recognizes women who are making a positive difference in the Midlands.
Letter from the President The bedrock of every
awareness of the impact of low literacy
and evidence that developed into our new
community foundation
rates and helped bring innovative literacy
Connected Communities Grant Initiative.
is its commitment to
programming to children and families in our
improving the lives of
area. Our wrap-up “by the numbers” can be
people in its defined
found on page 8.
geographic area. For
The Connected Communities Grant Initiative is designed to build community. Our inaugural grants to nine organizations,
Beginning in 2014, the final year of our focus
totaling $273,000, have already helped the
on Literacy, our board began developing a
organizations leverage $154,030 in additional
new funding plan. In what area could the
gifts to fund these great ideas. Our feature
Foundation’s limited discretionary grants
article describes how each of these grants will
have the greatest impact on the community?
connect people to our community and build
How could our investments leverage more
community. I hope you will join us as the
Three years ago, the Foundation committed $1
philanthropic support? Were there assets in
projects unfold!
million to increase literacy attainment across
our community that, with a small injection
the Midlands. Grants to nine organizations
of capital, could have a broader impact? Our
over the three year period helped fund high-
decades long relationship with the Knight
quality early education programs for more
Foundation and, examples from other cities,
than 10,000 children. Our investment raised
informed our work, providing examples
30 years, Central Carolina Community Foundation has been investing in people and organizations that are changing the Midlands.
Cheers! JoAnn
2 central carolina community foundation
Midlands Gives Inspires Community One day. One community. Over one million
assumed we would raise this much money.
village! Together, we achieved something
dollars! The second annual Midlands Gives
We planned, prepared and trained but
much greater than we could have on our own.
day was a remarkable success, raising
without the individual campaign efforts of
Midlands Gives inspired!”
$1,543,023.65 for over 250 local nonprofit
each nonprofit, and the generosity of the
organizations. The Midlands community once
donors who gave to these organizations, we
Here’s a recap of the big difference you made
again united to make a huge impact.
would not have raised this amazing amount,”
“Although we were hopeful, we never
says JoAnn Turnquist. “It truly did take a
on May 5th:
ORGANIZATIONS RAISED AN AVERAGE
11,392
RAISED
$1,543,023
$5,866
GIFTS TO 251 LOCAL NONPROFITS
IN 24 HOURS
3,392
DONORS GAVE TO A NONPROFIT THEY HAD NEVER GIVEN TO BEFORE
DONATIONS BY CATEGORY
23%
EDUCATION
9%
ANIMAL
9%
18%
8%
9%
ARTS & CULTURE COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT
3%
HUMAN SERVICES
12%
8%
HEALTH
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
FAITH-BASED
ENVIRONMENT AVERAGE DONATION BY CATEGORY
$69
$91
$102
MOST GIFTS WERE GIVEN BETWEEN
6 A.M AND 7 P.M.
$120
$87
GIFTS & DOLLARS BY THE
HOUR
$111
$89
$94
$96
5PM SAW THE MOST DONATIONS 1,396 GIFTS
PRODUCING OVER
$141,258
4 central carolina community foundation
GIVE LOCAL AMERICA’S
9%
8%
9%
COMMUNITY ARTS & CULTURE IMPROVEMENT
ANIMAL
3%
9%
HEALTH
$111
$89
8%
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
FAITH-BASED
ENVIRONMENT AVERAGE DONATION BY CATEGORY
$69
$91
$102
$120
$87
GIFTS & DOLLARS BY THE
MOST GIFTS WERE GIVEN BETWEEN
6 A.M AND 7 P.M.
$94
5PM SAW THE MOST DONATIONS 1,396 GIFTS
PRODUCING OVER
HOUR
$141,258
GIVE LOCAL AMERICA’S NATIONAL LEADERBOARD
DONATIONS BY COUNTY
BY NUMBER OF GIFTS
FAIRFIELD
KERSHAW
$2,546
San Antonio Area Foundation/San Antonio Nonprofit Council
39,357
$6,965 LEE
NEWBERRY
$100
$11,365
Sacramento Region Community Foundation
36,531 Greater New Orleans Community Foundation
34,539
RICHLAND
$800,878 LEXINGTON
$51,620
CLARENDON
$1,050
SUMTER
$175,098 ORANGEBURG
$96
Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
21,688 Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation
20,260
$1,615 CALHOUN
$1,000
Coastal Community Foundation
14,291 CENTRAL CAROLINA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
11,372 Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
10,701
#MIDLANDS GIVES
Community Foundation of Tampa Bay
10,042
TRENDED ON TWITTER
Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
5,540 TWEETS MENTIONED #MIDLANDSGIVES
9,611
Thank you to our sponsors and partners for helping make Midlands Gives a success. ABC Columbia, WACH Fox 57, WXRY radio,
Elizabeth Igleheart; Flock and Rally; Greater Chapin
the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and
iHeartMedia, Inc., The Palm 92.1, Alpha
Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center; Greater
Palmetto Computer Consulting
Media, Grace Outdoor, Lamar Outdoor
Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center; IT-
Advertising, Columbia Business Monthly,
oLogy; Jamesha Shackerford; Lanie Hudson; Lani
MidlandsBiz, Millennium Magazine, Columbia
Stringer, Mustard Graphics; Lenee Phillips; Mike
Regional Business Report and The Sumter Item
Brenan; Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center;
Community Partners: Barbara Rackes;
Scott Adams; Scott Macfarland; South Carolina
Supporting Sponsors: Aflac, Colonial Life,
Community Bonus Pool Sponsors: Community Foundation for Orangeburg and Calhoun Counties, Greater Chapin Community Endowment and Kershaw County Endowment
Media Sponsors: WIS-TV, Free Times, The State Media Company, WLTX News 19,
Ben Walker; Carolina Event Consultants; Charlie Nutt; Charlotte Berry; Chris Worley; Columbia
Association of Nonprofit Organizations; Suzanna Kutcher and YMCA of Sumter
Metropolitan Airport; Cyberwoven; Dawn Staley;
5 summer 2015
Recognizing Our Trustees The Foundation’s Board of Trustees is a talented and diverse group that serves our organization. Their unique perspectives and abilities, gifts of time and resources and dedication to the Foundation allow our organization to achieve our mission. We are proud of the impact these individuals have made on our community As we begin our new fiscal year, we offer our thanks to the following retiring trustees for their
connected communities grants will fund projects that enhance the beauty and physical setting of the midland’s community. — continued from page 1
Working together, the Foundation and its donors can leverage philanthropy to positively affect everyday quality of life in the Midlands. Approved Connected Communities
Saluda Shoals Foundation: St. Andrews Road Expansion – The conversion of an abandoned industrial site into an enjoyable green space for the community will demonstrate pride in and access to beautiful spaces for everyone. South Carolina Philharmonic: Flashmob
service to our community and our Foundation. Their efforts have truly made a difference. Eric M. Elkins, David G. Hodges, Shannon Nord, Barbara Rackes, Martha Scott Smith, J. Hagood Tighe and Susie H. VanHuss, PhD. As we continue to work toward increasing philanthropy in the Midlands, the following officers will serve as key leaders in our efforts to
grants include:
Concert Series – Five interactive, flashmob
City of West Columbia: State Street
festival goers to step on the podium, take the
Officers:
baton and conduct the orchestra in a pre-
Chair - Bruce W. Hughes, President, the Celerian Group, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
Beautification Project - Barren sidewalks and bland streetscapes will be transformed into a more inviting visitor friendly area that will aid economic development. Columbia Museum of Art: From Marilyn to Mao – Andy Warhol’s Famous Faces – Through artist salons, summer camps, lectures and more, this arts educational outreach initiative will bring together multiple generations and introduce a broad population to the arts. EngenuitySC: What’s Next Midlands – This online platform will connect citizens who have big ideas for social and civic initiatives with organizations, capital and the project management support to turn those ideas into reality.
style concerts held at local festivals will allow
rehearsed classical work. This unique concert series will delight audiences and engage them in the music making process. The Humanities Council: Hometown Teams – How Sports Shape America – A Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition celebrating South Carolina sports history and heroes will anchor a diverse, entertaining lineup of events and educational programs in Clarendon County.
Initiative – The untold story of Columbia’s Jewish community will be shared throughout the community aided by a forum for the collection and sharing of stories, images and documents. Kershaw County Community Playground: ADA Accessible Playground – “Kershaw County’s first ADA accessible playground, with specially designed play equipment, will allow families to play together locally.
Vice Chair - Carroll Heyward, Principal, WB Guimarin Secretary/Treasurer - Charlene Keys, Area Vice President of Operations-SC, Time Warner Cable We also offer a warm welcome to the newest members of our Board of Trustees. We look forward to the expertise, creativity and dedication these new members will bring to our
The Nickelodeon: Indie Grits at the River – The
board, the Foundation and, most importantly,
popular cultural festival Indie Grits will move
our community.
its 10th annual event from Main Street to the
New Trustees:
banks of the Congaree River and make the festival free to the public. The festival will use
Historic Columbia: Columbia Jewish Heritage
build community.
the power of the arts to bring people together, engage in discussions about the environment and serve as a critical step forward in the design of the future of our city. Central Carolina Community Foundation will work with the grantees to measure the impact of Connected Communities grants and will report back to the community annually on their progress. Be on the lookout for further information on this initiative in future newsletters as well.
For more information about the Connected Communities grants, visit the Community Impact section at www.yourfoundation.org.
Van Anderson - Vice President, General Counsel, BDI Pharma, Inc. Russell Bauknight - Shareholder, Bauknight Pietras & Stormer, PA Jill Davis - Vice President of Corporate Planning and Strategic Vision, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Rachel Hodges - Former First Lady of South Carolina Felicia Rhue Howard - Director of Demand Side Management, SCE&G Lou Kennedy - Owner, Nephron Pharmaceuticals Charlie Nutt - Owner and Publisher, Free Times
For more information on our new and returning board members, read their biographies online at yourfoundation.org under the About section.
7 summer 2015
Central Carolina Community Foundation 2711 Middleburg Drive, Suite 213 Columbia, South Carolina 29204
Mark Your Calendar Don’t miss out on these upcoming events.
Best of Philanthropy Celebration November 5, 2015
a 3-year, $1 million commitment to improving literacy across the Midlands. We are pleased to report the following impact results for this initiative:
Philanthropy winners. Tickets will go on sale in the Fall.
10,443
Children Served
4,657
Families Engaged
3,337
Professionals Trained
1,160
Volunteers Reached
25,576
Volunteer Hours
17,217
Books Provided
3,343
Fluency Lessons Taught
October 26, 2015 New York Times “Your Money,” columnist will be visiting our area to speak about this new book The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money. Stay tuned for more information about the event in the coming months.
Midlands Gives May 3, 2016 The online giving challenge is coming back for a third year! Be sure to follow our social networks and sign up for our emails so you can be the first to hear the news on the third annual Midlands Gives.
www.Midlandsgives.org
30 More Years of Giving Last July, the Community Foundation
received a copy of the book for their families
began our 30th Anniversary Celebration
to use when parents are deployed overseas.
by launching 30 More Years of Giving.
Our final ‘Act of Giving’ occurred in June at
Through this initiative, we partnered with an array of local nonprofits to give back to the Midlands community through various ‘Acts of Giving.’ From tennis shoes to trips to the State Fair to a social media contest about giving, these birthday presents brought smiles to the faces of others and inspired philanthropy among our community. Our final two acts influenced our local military community and a wide range of nonprofits. In May, the Foundation visited Shaw Air Force Base with the Auntie Karen
our first annual Legacy Luncheon. You can read more about this event, and the gifts attendees gave to the Midlands, on page 6. As we come to the end of our 30th Anniversary initiative, we reflect on the importance of donating our time, talents or treasure to continue to make our community a more caring and appealing place to live. We thank the Midlands for their generosity and look forward to 30 more years of giving.
Foundation. Approximately 85 children of
View more photos of 30 More Years of
active military families listened as a parent
Giving on the Foundation’s Facebook page.
read “A Hug While I’m Away.” Each child
8
In 2012, the Board of Truestees approved
Save the date and make plans to join us to celebrate our Best of
Ron Lieber Visits Midlands
MAGNIFY THE MIDLANDS
Literacy Report
4,033 Comprehension Lessons Taught