enrich SUMMER 2011
philanthropy in our community
BGTIME Finds New Home
BGTIME began in 2008 when The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation issued a national challenge grant to community foundations to find creative uses of media and technology to help keep communities informed and their citizens engaged. Led by the Community Foundation, a team with representatives from the University of South Carolina, IFRA Newsplex, Benedict College, The State Media Company and South Carolina ETV designed a winning two year grant with the primary purpose of bridging ethnic, economic, educational, and especially generational lines to raise digital literacy among seniors, enhancing their participation in civic dialogue. The program was coordinated in the University of South Carolina’s renowned IFRA Newsplex multimedia facility. There, students from the University of South Carolina and Benedict College were trained and then dispatched to senior centers and other community organizations to provide guidance to seniors and teach them the skills needed to use this online community forum and help bridge the digital divide. The first students
inside
were trained in the summer of 2009 and the site fully launched in the fall. The BGTIME program continued to evolve and grow over the last two years. From the beginning of the project, the advisory committee’s goal was to make this program sustainable after our two-year funding was exhausted. We are very happy to announce that BGTIME will continue to grow and thrive under the leadership of the Lt. Governor’s Office on Aging. The Lt. Governor’s Office on Aging is the statewide leader for advocating, planning and developing resources to meet the needs of older South Carolinians. The agency works with a network of regional and local organizations to develop and manage programs and services to improve the quality of life of South
Carolina’s older citizens, and to help them remain independent in their homes and communities. “The Office on Aging provides a natural home for the successful
Collaborative Impact
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New Board Trustees
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President’s Letter
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44 Scholarships Awarded
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The Walker Foundation
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Dates to Remember
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continuation of the BGTIME program,” said JoAnn Turnquist. “BGTIME project manager Carolyn Holderman has worked closely with the Office on Aging to ensure a smooth transition for the program.” Through their network, BGTIME will be introduced to residents of all counties in South Carolina. Seniors and their loved ones who would like to use digital media to share their experiences and perspectives can email stories, pictures, video and audio clips to: bgtime@scstatehouse.gov. You can use your home computer, go to the library, head to a senior center or even do it from a smart phone. “BGTIME provides a social and creative outlet for seniors to contribute to the recorded history of South Carolina using newer technologies,” said Lt. Gov. Ken Ard. “Older adults benefit from the program, which provides the opportunity to learn new things, form friendships and exercise mentally.” In addition to re-launching BGTIME.org and bringing this project
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
We are a nonprofit organization serving 11 counties in the Midlands by distributing grants and scholarships and linking the resources of donors, nonprofits and community leaders to areas of need. Join us on Facebook for the latest news Our page is public, so you don’t have to join Facebook to view it.
A GROWING IMPACT
A Collaborative Charitable Impact During the strategic planning
$500,000 over five years, and
service area. Led by national
process the Foundation
in collaboration with our donors,
literacy advocate Margaret
underwent in 2008, one
we were able to leverage our
Doughty, the group worked
word kept surfacing - impact.
contribution to raise a total
to outline the top issues and
The board and staff felt so
of $830,000 for the project.
barriers related to literacy in
passionately about this word,
Transitions opened its doors last
each county. We are working
that we purposefully included it
month and is now serving clients.
to help the agencies form new
in our revised mission statement.
The Community Foundation was
collaborations to further our goal
One of our primary tenets is
selected in 2009 as the first
for South Carolina to reach 100%
to “make impactful grants that
AIDS United Fund Partner in
literacy by 2030. We will host
will have a positive
another literacy summit
and measurable effect
this fall; look for more
on our community.”
exciting news regarding
A key decision made
this initiative soon.
during the strategic
And finally, just last
planning process was
month the Community
to focus our competitive
Foundation distributed a
grantmaking dollars on
record amount of grants
specific goals and to
into the community via
make larger Community
our donor advisors.
and Organizational
During the last week of
Impact grants in those
our 2011 fiscal year,
strategic areas — a shift from the
South Carolina and received
the Foundation awarded 68
large number of small grants
a challenge grant to support
grants totaling $1,149,025 to
we had made previously.
local grantmaking for HIV/
help support local charitable
AIDS education and prevention
organizations and their missions.
that plan was put into place,
programs. In addition to this
Once the official numbers are
we have made progress in
support from AIDS United and
tallied and audited, we are
our goal of making impactful
the Elton John AIDS Foundation,
confident 2011 will represent the
grants. A driving force behind
several local organizations came
Foundation’s largest charitable
this progress has been our
forward to match those funds. We
impact with more than $9 million
increased focus of fostering
formed the Central Carolina AIDS
invested into our community.
collaborative relationships
Partnership (CCAP) to manage
and facilitating conversations
the program. In two years,
downturn and tough economic
to address emerging
$310,000 has been awarded
climate means charities are
challenges in the Midlands.
to local programs that share
struggling as never before to
CCAP’s vision of a South Carolina
raise funds and meet the surge in
without new HIV infections.
demand for their services,” said
During the three years since
In 2008, our Board responded to the call from the Midlands Housing Alliance to assist with
“The lingering financial
Last year, the Foundation
Board Chair Hagood Tighe. “The
building a comprehensive
awarded a Community Impact
Foundation’s focus on increasing
center that offered a variety of
grant to host a literacy summit
philanthropy in our community
programs to move people from
that brought together various
through collaboration and grants
homelessness to permanent
literacy groups, practitioners and
is helping to address this need.”
housing. The Foundation pledged
advocates from our 11-county
Board of Trustees Scott R. Adams John Baker J. Mac Bennett Sharon W. Bryant R. Jason Caskey Chris D. Christiansen Aubria Corbitt Susan Kenney Cotter Michael C. Crapps
Rita Bragg Cullum Judith M. Davis Eric M. Elkins L. Marion Gressette III Henry B. Haitz III C. Carroll Heyward David G. Hodges Jackie Howie Bruce W. Hughes
D. Michael Kelly Ellis M. Knight Ted O. McGee Jr. Catherine R. Monetti Linda O’Bryon David Peterson John C. Pollok Barbara Rackes Ben Rex page 2
George W. Rogers A. Eugene Rountree Terry K. Schmoyer Jr. Martha Scott Smith Nancy Spencer J. Hagood Tighe Susie H. VanHuss
BGTIME Finds New Home (continued)
CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE statewide, the Lt. Governor’s Office on Aging is proud to announce the “Bridging Generations” writing award, open to all 8th grade students. The new award focuses on bridging the gap between generations. Students learn about the past, while leading older South Carolinians into the
Recognizing Our Trustees The Foundation has always taken great pride in its diverse and talented board of trustees. They contribute unique perspectives and abilities, and a dedication and commitment to the Foundation that fosters success. Their gifts of time and resources allow our organization to achieve its mission. As we begin our new fiscal year, we offer our thanks to the following retiring trustees for their service to our Foundation and our community. Their efforts have truly made a difference.
Cheryl L. Behymer Katharine M. Hubbard Donna C. Northam
Love Collins III James K. Lehman David C. Sojourner Jr.
John S. Goettee John Lumpkin
As we continue to work toward increasing the philanthropic pie in the Midlands, the following officers will serve as key leaders in our efforts to build community.
CHAIR: J. Hagood Tighe, Partner, Fisher & Phillips VICE CHAIR: Judith M. Davis, Executive VP and Chief Legal Officer, BlueCross BlueShield of SC SECRETARY/TREASURER: Bruce W. Hughes, President, Government Programs Division, BlueCross BlueShield of SC We also offer our thanks and a warm welcome to the newest members of our board of trustees. Each individual has been elected to serve a three-year term.
future. The award incorporates many subjects of the 8th grade curriculum and allows students to showcase what they have learned. To learn more, visit www. bgtime.org. For more information about the Office of Aging, visit www.aging.sc.gov.
John Baker – Manager, Baker and Baker Real Estate Developers Sharon W. Bryant – Regional Executive VP and Director of Wealth Management, First Citizens Susan Kenney Cotter – Vice President, Marketing and Products, Colonial Life Rita Bragg Cullum – Shareholder/Attorney, Ellis, Lawhorne & Sims Linda O’Bryon – President & CEO, SCETV David Peterson – Plant Director, Starbucks John C. Pollok – COO, South Carolina Bank & Trust Ben Rex – CEO, Cyberwoven We look forward to the expertise, creativity and dedication to service these new members will bring to our board, to our Foundation and, most importantly, to our community. For more information on our new board members, as well as our returning board members, read their biographies online at www.yourfoundation.org
Letter from the President Impact is defined as having influence or affecting an outcome. In 2008, the Foundation’s Board of Trustees added this word to our mission statement and charged our organization with making a measurable difference in our community. This newsletter illustrates programs and initiatives that are making an impact in the Midlands. In this edition, you will meet two outstanding scholarship recipients whose dreams for the future are now possible. Scholarship funds, managed by the Community Foundation, provide educational opportunities for future generations. You will also learn how the Walker Foundation is helping deaf and blind students reach their full potential through the stories of three recent graduates of the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind. Our strategic effort to work collaboratively in the community is also making a difference. By combining our energies, resources and talents, the Foundation’s ability to impact our community is strengthened. The programs featured on page two illustrate the power of collaboration. Our work in the community would not be possible without an engaged board of trustees. The Foundation’s board is made up of thoughtful, committed citizens who influence our actions and work
JoAnn Turnquist
with us to improve lives. We thank our trustees who are retiring and welcome our new members. With their help and your continued support, we will continue our efforts to positively impact our Midlands communities.
PHILANTHROPY page 3
INVESTING
Pursuing their Dreams public speaking, debate, drama or
provide educational opportunities
manages more than 35
creative writing. The LINKScholars
for past employees, or their
scholarship funds that provide
Program assists African
dependents, of Carolina
educational opportunities for
American high school seniors
Coca-Cola Bottling Company,
future generations. Many of our
from central South Carolina
formerly located in Sumter.
scholarship funds have been
who demonstrate academic
Walker recently graduated from
set up in honor or memory of
success and financial need.
Laurence Manning Academy and
The Community Foundation
a loved one or someone who
Jhalen was active in dance,
will attend USC Sumter in the fall.
Walker was selected in 2009 to
has helped the donor become successful in life. Each scholarship
serve as a Student Ambassador in
has its own specific purpose and
the People to People Ambassador
eligibility criteria according to the
Program. People to People
recommendations of the donor.
offers unique and engaging educational opportunities for
Some of our scholarship funds have broad eligibility criteria,
students to explore different
allowing students in central South
cultures, make new friends and
Carolina who wish to attain a
connect with extraordinary
higher education to attend the
people and places across the
school of their choice. Other
globe. For two weeks he traveled
programs have a more specific
with 35 other students from across
focus, serving a particular
the U.S. to England, France,
school or county, offered to
Belgium and the Netherlands. During his high school career,
students pursuing a degree in a stated field or available to those
Walker participated in track
that will attend a designated
and field, football and Beta
college or university. This
Club. His interests also include
year, the Foundation awarded
playing the guitar and piano,
$131,277 to 44 students.
weight lifting, camping and
One of our 2011 scholarship
riding a unicycle. Walker plans
recipients is Jhalen Miller. Jhalen
to join the U.S. Air Force after
received the LINKScholars
completing his college studies. Both Jhalen and Walker
Award and the H. Eugene
are fine representatives of the
Webb Jr. Scholarship through the Foundation. She is a 2011
cheerleading and theater during
44 students who will receive
graduate of Columbia High
her tenure at Columbia High
financial assistance to help further
School and will be attending
School. She participated in the
their education and prepare
Winthrop University in the
school dance teams in both
them to become productive
fall. Jhalen will study biology
middle and high school. Jhalen
members of their respective
and hopes to continue on to
was honored for her seven-year
communities. We congratulate
veterinary school after completing
commitment to dance with a 2011
each of our scholarship recipients
her baccalaureate studies.
Young and Gifted Award in Arts
and wish them well as they
The H. Eugene Webb Jr.
by the Columbia Urban League.
continue to learn and grow.
Scholarship goes to a graduating
Walker Fickling is a recipient
senior from Columbia High School
of the William S. and Elizabeth
who is active in their school and
B. Heath Scholarship. This
community, and who excels in
scholarship was created to
The Staff JoAnn M. Turnquist | President & CEO x323 Jo Bull | Chief Operating Officer x326 Tonia E. Cochran | Director of Marketing & Communications x329 Edward E. Conroy, CPA | Chief Financial Officer x325
Contact Us
Ellen Shuler Hinrichs | Director of Community Philanthropy X322 Veronica L. Pinkett-Barber | Program Officer x331 Kelly Rogers | Staff Accountant X330 Kristin W. Williamson | Interactive Marketing Manager x328
2711 Middleburg Drive, Suite 213 | Columbia, SC 29204 803.254.5601 | 803.799.6663 (F) | info@yourfoundation.org | www.yourfoundation.org page 4
ENGAGING OUR COMMUNITY
The Walker Foundation Helps Students Maximize Potential The Community Foundation is
succeed in school and in life.
also participated in Teen Lead, a
pleased to have recently added
Three recent SCSDB graduates
service learning and leadership
The Walker Foundation to the
from the Midlands showcase
initiative sponsored by the
list of agency funds we manage.
the success of The Walker
S.C. Department of Education.
The Walker Foundation is a
Foundation in supporting the
Jasmine looks forward to
nonprofit organization dedicated
student body.
returning to SCSDB’s post-
to supporting the S.C. School for
Shaquan Boyd of Newberry
the Deaf and the Blind (SCSDB)
was a stellar SCSDB athlete. He
and its Multi-handicapped
played football for five years
Programs. Through the raising of
and basketball for six. In 2010,
career, Josh Turner of Irmo
funds and building relationships
he was named Most Valuable
was avidly involved in the arts,
across the state, The Walker
Player in basketball and a Deaf
even landing the title role of
Foundation seeks to maximize
Digest Sports All-American for
Aladdin in the school’s musical
each student’s individual
his football accolades. He was
production. He participated in
opportunities for success.
a pivotal member of the football
many other stage productions,
team and helped lead them to
including the SCSDB original
students from all across South
three consecutive Mason-Dixon
musical, Wonderland.
Carolina for 162 years. The
Championships.
The SCSDB has been serving
graduate program in the fall to pursue a career in athletics. Throughout his high school
Josh recently graduated and
residential school located
Shaquan was described as
in Spartanburg educates
“a coach’s dream” and “a silent
Legion Award. He plans to
students from grades PreK-12
leader who is looked up to by
return to SCSDB’s post-graduate
and children ages 3-5 via the
both players and coaches” by
program in the fall.
early intervention program.
Athletic Director Kim Speer.
Shaquan, Jasmine and
In addition, the post-graduate
After graduation he plans to
Josh are all great examples
program continues to work with
embark on a career with Bi-Lo.
of how the S.C. School for
students to further build their
Jasmine Elleby of St. Matthews
was awarded the 2011 American
the Deaf and the Blind and
job skills and prepare them for
was a leader on the Lady
The Walker Foundation help
life after school. In 2010-2011,
Hornets basketball, volleyball
students in South Carolina
SCSDB had 279 students from all
and track and field teams. She
reach their full potential and
46 South Carolina counties.
was a member of the 4x100
lead fulfilling and rewarding
relay team, which set three new
lives of productivity and
an outreach program, which
records at the 2011 S.C. State
independence. For additional
is managed from Columbia. In
Track Meet.
information about SCSDB or The
The School also operates
this program, students receive
Athletics were just part of
Walker Foundation, contact Ann
educational services in their
Jasmine’s accomplishments while
Ackerman at 864.577.7583 or
home school. This flexibility
in school. She competed in the
visit www.walkerfdn.org.
allows for more students to
science fair at the National
receive the specialized learning
Technical Institute for the Deaf in
opportunities that help them
Rochester, New York. Jasmine
Shaquan Boyd was a star on the football field.
Board of Commissioners Chair Cindy Holland and President Maggie Park pose with
Jasmine Elleby.
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Josh Turner makes his stage debut as Aladdin.
PRSRT STD US Postage PAID Columbia, SC Permit #293 Central Carolina Community Foundation 2711 Middleburg Drive, Suite 213 Columbia, South Carolina 29204
Dates to Remember There are many things going on at the Community Foundation over the next few months and we want to make sure you stay informed. Please set a reminder on your phone or email, or write down these dates on your calendar. The Talk About Giving Summer Grant Giveaway contest is under way. Be sure to visit www.facebook.com/ talkaboutgiving before July 26 and nominate your favorite Midlands nonprofit for their chance to win $2,000. The finalists will be announced on July 27 and persons may vote once per day until August 10. Two of our regional affiliates have upcoming grant deadlines. Both the Kershaw County Endowment and the Orangeburg Calhoun Community Foundation are accepting applications through August 15. Guidelines for both organizations can be found on our website, under the Nonprofit section, at www.yourfoundation.org. Our Annual Celebration will be held September 16 at Leaside. The Foundation and Columbia Metropolitan Magazine will once again be honoring our Community Champions via our Best of Philanthropy Awards. You do not want to miss this chance to witness ordinary people in our community who are making significant contributions through their life’s work.
And finally, the grant deadline for the Central Carolina AIDS Partnership grants is September 30. The grant guidelines have changed slightly this year, so be sure to review them online in the Nonprofit section of our website at www.yourfoundation.org. The easiest way to stay in touch with what’s happening at the Foundation is to follow us on Facebook. Or visit the News & Events section of our website for regular updates.
ON THE WAY page 6