the community foundation of western north carolina PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Time really does fly. The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina has been partnering with donors and nonprofits to inspire giving since 1978. For 40 years, CFWNC has been working to build permanent charitable resources through the creation of personalized, philanthropic funds. And, we’re in it for the long haul. Our founders would be the first to tell you that our region is much different today than it was 40 years ago, and today’s board members are mindful that the decisions they make today must consider the future. Because community foundations are tasked with listening, learning and changing over time, we are asked to imagine the best possible future for WNC and to work with others to realize it. So, we are both permanent and fluid. In 1978, our forward-thinking founders established a permanent endowment to generate earnings and distribute grants. Four years later, in 1982, board members expanded the service area to the 18-county region we serve today. Assets had reached $310,000 and the first competitive grants totaling $10,600 were awarded. Today, CFWNC manages more than 1,000 funds, large and small, reflecting the interests, generosity and values of our fundholders and donors. Western North Carolina is the permanent concern of this community of givers. I’m pleased to say that CFWNC now manages assets of $311 million (March 2018). And, this
Summer 2018
year, we are on track to accept new gifts of more than $33 million. Donors continue to add to the philanthropic resources in our care because they want to ensure there are assets to address new issues as well as stubborn and prolonged problems facing our region. CFWNC staff works to understand our fundholders’ philanthropic goals and help them find grant opportunities that align with their interests. It is the depth of these relationships that allows us to steward their charitable legacies, now and forever. It is their trust and belief in the role and permanence of a community foundation that supports our growth. We know that a gift to a nonprofit makes a difference. Many gifts can make an even bigger difference. Investing them makes a lasting difference. It is generosity multiplied. Five years ago, we bought our offices at the Historic Biltmore School. The space is a physical expression of our permanence – actual bricks and mortar – but it is also a major step toward sustainability and acknowledgement of our responsibility and stewardship. It makes sense for CFWNC to have a forever home. When anniversaries such as these arise, it is fitting that we take time to reflect and consider our growth, our accomplishments and our stumbles along the way, for they too are part of that growth.
Pat Smith and Elizabeth Brazas at Pisgah Legal's Jazz for Justice. Photo by Jesse Kitt.
It is also the perfect time to acknowledge and thank our founders, our board members and leaders who have guided our growth over four decades and, of course and always, generous people who choose to invest in their local community foundation. Their trust in this model, our process and, yes, our permanence is an acknowledgement of the future and a statement of hope. Their optimism and willingness to give so that future generations can thrive is a daily inspiration. I am personally indebted to many who have helped me over the last eight years. I stepped into Pat Smith’s shoes, and those stylish heels were a challenge to fill. She and so many others have generously shared their time and expertise with me, and I am deeply grateful. The future is full of possibilities.
POWER OF THE PURSE®
Maria Hinojosa Addresses Enthusiastic Crowd at Power of the Purse® W O M E N F O R W O M E N G I V I N G C I R C L E A N N O U N C E S $45 0,000 G R A N T
Award-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa was the featured speaker at the 14th Annual Power of the Purse®. Hinojosa’s address documented her journey from Mexico City to Chicago to New York City’s Barnard College to becoming the first Latina correspondent for NPR, CNN and PBS. She challenged the crowd to love, to be inclusive and to be careful with language. “Words can be dehumanizing,” she said. “Slaves were enslaved people, and the word minority is disempowering.” In reference to recent immigration arrests, she asked attendees, “What does it mean to you personally to know that due process can be violated just because a person wasn’t born in this country?” “It’s hard to look at our own history,” she continued. “We all have to open our eyes and talk to people in our community. At the core of our democracy is dialogue.”
Our VOICE's Angelica Wind, Maria Hinojosa and Karen Chavez of the Asheville Citizen-Times. Photo by Michael Oppenheim.
A highlight was the announcement of a $450,000 Women for Women Collaborative High Impact Grant to the Buncombe Partners in Prevention that will direct the funds toward reducing cycles of sexual and domestic violence and child abuse. The collaborative includes Helpmate, Mountain Child Advocacy Center, Our VOICE and Pisgah Legal Services. “The grant is important not because it is the largest award from the giving circle and the largest single competitive grant approved by The Community Foundation, it is important because it targets abuse of WNC women and girls,” said Elizabeth Brazas. Buncombe Partners in Prevention will concurrently address domestic abuse, sexual violence and child maltreatment in a community-coordinated effort. Each collaborating organization will take on specific aspects of a plan, which leverages skills and resources and utilizes best practices.
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Masthead photo: Rhododendron on Roan Mountain. Photo courtesy of Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy.