the community foundation of western north carolina PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
In our 38th year, we are seeing the work of those who labored before us come to fruition. Estates are settling and assets are flowing into CFWNC to carry on the legacies of some of our earliest relationships. Sometimes these gifts are a surprise, like the one from Ruth Hathaway to the Transylvania Endowment detailed on page two. More often, however, the realization of these gifts is coupled with the loss of a beloved donor, fundholder or friend. These losses remind us of the deeply personal nature of our work. According to the donor's wishes and goals, we steward these assets through scholarships and grant programs. This level of commitment, to our fundholders, their families and their legacies, is the core of our business. Funds reach communities across the region; and the lives of those that came before us impact people and places today. We’ve had a long partnership with the Richard “Yogi” Crowe Memorial Scholarship Fund, which was opened in 1985 and continues to support graduate studies for members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (see page six). Yogi Crowe’s passion was higher education for tribal scholars. We helped craft a charitable fund that allows his friends and colleagues to honor him by continuing his work.
Spring 2016
Sometimes there is a role for which we are uniquely suited. Mainspring Conservation Trust came to us when they needed a neutral funder to launch a reconciliation process. Through a Natural and Cultural Resources Focus Area grant (see page three), a process that began with the idea of preserving and honoring an ancient Native American mound has evolved into a larger project – one with the potential to rally a community and, possibly, result in important historic preservation and economic development work in Franklin. CFWNC is pleased to play a part in launching the Family Justice Center (FJC), a hub that coordinates the response and services available to victims of violent crimes in Buncombe County that will open in Asheville later this summer. Planning for the center was funded by a $45,000 grant from CFWNC’s Women for Women giving circle. Several nonprofit partners, including Helpmate and Our VOICE, received People in Need Focus Area grants to build capacity to meet an anticipated increased demand for services as a result of the FJC. FJCs represent the best practice model for a coordinated community response for victims. On page five, we profile the Green River Preserve, one of our more than 130 nonprofit funds. Providing efficient asset management
Elizabeth Brazas, CFWNC President and Dodger. Photo by Angelo Gianni.
and access to complex charitable gift options is another unique role for CFWNC. The Green River Preserve was founded by a former board member and continues to be led by family members carrying forward traditions of conservation and outdoor education. We regularly open new funds, as you will see on page seven. Just as our earliest supporters did for us, these generous families and friends are laying the groundwork for a better tomorrow for our region. It’s an honor to serve these visionaries and dreamers and steward their philanthropic legacies. Thank you for the opportunity to carry forward this good work.
POWER OF THE PURSE®
Register Now for the 2016 Power of the Purse® F E AT U R I N G A S T R O N A U T, P H Y S I C I A N A N D E D U C AT O R D R . M A E J E M I S O N
Online registration is available for the May 24th Power of the Purse® at www.cfwnc.org for $75 per person. Astronaut, physician and educator Dr. Mae Jemison, the first AfricanAmerican woman in space, is the featured speaker. Dr. Jemison served six years as a NASA astronaut. In 1992, she flew aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour, STS-47, a cooperative mission between the United States and Japan. She performed experiments in material science, life science and human adaptation to weightlessness. Prior to her work with NASA, Jemison was an Area Peace Corps Medical Officer for Sierra Leone and Liberia. She earned her M.D. from Cornell University and practiced Dr. Mae Jemison. medicine in Los Angeles. She is currently leading the 100 Photo courtesy of NASA. Year Starship, an initiative exploring human interstellar space travel, and is the founder and president of two medical technology companies. Proceeds from the event benefit The Women’s Fund, a permanent endowment that supports the unmet needs of women and girls across the region. Spendable income from the endowment is granted through the Women for Women grant program. The 2016 Women for Women grant recipients will be announced at the luncheon. The giving circle expects to award approximately $265,000 to nonprofits facilitating safe living environments for women and girls. The giving circle always welcomes new members. Learn more at www.cfwnc.org. Masthead photo courtesy of Green River Preserve.