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