2011 giving

Literacy in our SchoolsVolunteers give kids a chance

Doing good without breaking the bank

Giving back keeps philanthropy close to home

GivingYour guide to community giving in the Lowcountry | 2011-12

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Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry 2

WELCOME

O F A R E A B U S I N E S S P U B L I C A T I O N S

THE ALLIANCESouth Carolina’s Media Engine for Economic Growth

Dear Reader,We at the Charleston Regional Business Journal are always pleased to present

our yearly Giving guide, which allows us the opportunity to recognize people, organizations and businesses that make a difference in our community and to hopefully inspire you to become involved as well.

The Lowcountry has a long history of generous support in meeting the phil-anthropic needs of our community. For many local businesses, giving time, money and other resources has always been an integral part of their business strategy.

If you still haven’t made a commitment to do the same, be aware that limited time or resources is never a reason to prevent your business from making a dif-ference in the community you call home. This 2011 issue of Giving is your guide to making philanthropy a strategic part of growing your business and “doing well while doing good.”

Why not start now? To make it easy to identify your areas of philanthropic interest, we’ve divided Giving 2011 into three sections:

• Making charitable gifts• Volunteering • Investing in educationIn these sections you will find innovative ways that Lowcountry individuals,

businesses and organizations are meeting the needs of our community, and we hope they will provide you with enough information and ideas to help you do the same.

About the cover:

Volunteer Jim Frye reads with Kahleol Washington, 11, a student at Mary Ford Elementary School in North Charleston. Frye, who retired as president of a manufacturing company in 2002, founded the Mary Ford Foundation in 2006 to advocate for the Title I school.

Cover photo/Leslie Burden

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Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry

www.charlestonbusiness.com 3Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry

QuiCk FACtS

MAkiNG CHAritABLE GiFtS

VOLuNtEEriNG

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5

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5.....Finding the right philanthropy fit6.....The Dorchester County Fund Neighbors and friends come together to create new endowment7.....To avoid donor fatigue, give wisely

8..... Skill, expertise and time all ways for businesses to contribute9.....Do your homework before serving on a board

AWArD WiNNErS16

16...AFP recognizes 2011 Outstanding Philanthropists17...Philanthropy Week in the Lowcountry – Nov. 14-18, 2011

iNVEStiNG iN EDuCAtiON1010... Improving literacy in our schools Book Buddies program helps at-risk readers thrive12...Giving kids a chance One volunteer helps save a school14...Education Foundation fosters partnerships between schools and businesses

GiViNG BACk15

15...MeadWestvaco increases philanthropic reach in 2011 15...C of C and Water Missions International team up for soccer15...TUW fundraising campaign starts with nearly $2 million in bank

DAy OF CAriNG29

29...Charleston Day of Caring a resounding success30...More than 100 volunteers beautify Park Circle

contents

Nonprofit Spotlight

19 – Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina21 – Lowcountry Food Bank23 – The Education Foundation25 – Goodwill Industries of Lower South Carolina Inc.27 – Francis R. Willis SPCA28 – Charleston Animal Society

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Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry 4 www.charlestonbusiness.com

QuiCk FACtS

recent nonprofit startupsYear organization Purpose Focus Website

2010 Charleston Chamber Opera Performance and education Arts www.charlestonchamberopera.com

2010 Jazz Artists of Charleston Performance and education Arts www.jazzartistsofcharleston.org

2010 Medical Outreach Clinic Nonemergency medical care Health www.medicaloutreachclinic.org

2009 Mental Health Heroes Advocacy and support for the mentally ill and their families

Health N/A

2010 Pattison’s Academy for Comprehensive Education

Education and rehabilitation for children with multiple disabilities

Education www.pattisonsacademy.org

2011 PlayToday Foundation Inclusive play and exercise Health www.playtodayfoundation.org

2011 Respite Care of Charleston Respite, support and education for Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers

Health www.respitecarecharleston.org

2011 Veterans On Deck Therapy and rehabilitation through sailing for returning veterans

Health www.veteransondeck.org

2011 Yoga Benefits Kids Health and well-being through yoga, for youth Health www.yogabenefitskids.org

Percentage of nonprofit revenue by sector

Largest tri-County Private Foundations 2009-2010 revenues Spaulding Paolozzi Foundation $7,306,824

Jerry and Anita Zucker Family Foundation Inc. $3,248,536

Mark Elliott Motley Foundation Inc. $2,349,345

Charles and Brenda Larsen Private Foundation $2,347,396

Mabel Stowe Query Foundation Inc. $1,262,590

Longfield Family Charitable Foundation Inc. $890,967

Morgan Morton Family Foundation Inc. $757,627

Alison Foundation $653,766

Cart Foundation $646,830

Henry and Sylvia Yaschik Foundation Inc. $613,378

Cay Foundation Inc. $557,950

Helen C. Richardson Private Foundation $383,537

Herzman-Fishman Foundation $378,897

James R. Warren Family Foundation $361,443

Richard and Susan Leadem Family Foundation Inc. $316,094

Patrick Family Foundation $283,085

$0 $1,000,000 $2,000,000 $3,000,000 $4,000,000 $5,000,000 $6,000,000 $7,000,000

u.s.

Arts and Culture$13.28B

10%

Education$41.67B

31%

Environment and Animals

$6.66B 5%

Human Services $26.49B

20%

Neighborhood improvement

$24.24B18%

Health$22.83B 17%

tri- county

Arts and Culture$48.87M

3%

Education $295.58M

17%

Environment and Animals

$26.30M2%

Human Services$195.18M

11%

Neighborhood improvement

$24.46M1%

Health $1.16B

66%total tri-County revenues

$1.75Btotal u.S. revenues

$135.17B

Compiled by the Coastal Community Foundation

Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry


5www.charlestonbusiness.com

HOW tO SAy ‘NO’ NiCELy

The Charity Golf Classic is Piggly Wiggly’s largest annual charity event,

benefiting the Piggly Wiggly Community Pride Foundation.Source: Progressivegrocer.com

PBy Laura M. Camacho

Finding the right philanthropy fithilanthropy has no immunity from the new economic normal. Howev-er, the greater Charleston area, his-torically accustomed to overcoming calamity, is well-equipped to deal with the challenge of meeting com-

munity needs amid uncertainty and change. Still, it can be difficult to allocate dwindling dollars and limited employee or volunteer resources in response to ever-increasing re-quests for aid.

How to choose Coastal Community Foundation com-

munication and marketing direc-tor Christine Beddia knows two things for certain. One is that philanthropy is highly personal, which means no one-size-fits-all way of giving exists; second is the fact that anyone can give. She said, “You do not have to be a million-aire to make a difference.”

The 37-year-old Coast-al Community Foundation serves local donors wanting to maximize their giving impact. One shift this organization has been see-ing is groups of friends or grass-roots action, rather than just individual or

family-centered giving. Friends of Sulli-van’s Island, Women Making a Difference and the Dorchester County Fund are three examples. In these cases, the foundation serves as the convener, an adviser for the or-ganization. For the year that ended June 30, Coastal Community Foundation granted $9.9 million to 735 nonprofits.

For Lowcountry businesses, approaches to corporate giving vary. According to Christo-pher Ibsen, marketing director for the 100% employee-owned Piggly Wiggly, the compa-ny’s Charitable Giving Committee makes all the corporate giving decisions at its monthly

meetings. Membership on this committee cuts across multiple

departments and senior-ity levels. Donations go

to nonprofits operating in South Carolina and coastal Georgia; Piggly Wiggly’s donation re-cipients are “incred-ibly diverse,” Ibsen said.

Some five years ago, the committee created a

Piggly Wiggly Community Pride Fund with help from the

Coastal Community Foundation. Al-though much of the company’s giving is

directed through this fund, Ibsen said the company still cuts checks independently.

This is not about saying “no” to the Cub Scout pack selling popcorn or the 12-year-old cellist raising funds for her school orchestra.

Coastal Community Foundation CEO George Stevens said, “No one is expected to give to ev-ery cause, but everyone is expected to try to help their community, whether through a contribution of time, money or expertise.”

With limited resources, however, it helps to take the time to be more strategic in giving so that those limited resources make a greater im-pact in the community.

It’s much easier to say “no” if you’ve already put some thought into the causes to which you want to direct your giving.

And no matter how generous the endowment from a business or organization, the bucket does have a bottom and there are only so many chari-table causes that you or your business can help.

Piggly Wiggly’s Christopher Ibsen said, “Ulti-mately we have to make judgment calls that are aligned with our culture and values.”

George Tupper of Summerville-based Tupper-way Construction agreed, saying, “I tell people

our personal giving budget is already decided for this year, but it could be possible for next year. I’ll also send them to a (nonprofit) fund, if they’re local.”

Tupper and his wife, Jane, started the Dorchester County Fund.

Cutting ties with nonprofits sometimes serves the greater good. Maintaining contact with po-tential donors costs nonprofits money, and if a person or business is truly not committed to that cause, unsubscribing from the email or mailing list is the right thing to do.

For Dayna Elliott, the person responsible for giving at Maverick Southern Kitchens — which owns and operates Slightly North of Broad, High Cotton and the Old Village Post House, among other restaurants, and Charles-ton Cooks kitchen store — the Internet is transforming philanthropy as much as or more than the economy.

Because of the Web, she recently got a random dona-tion request from a symphony in anoth-er state. Faced with a barrage of online pleas for aid, how does a company de-cide to which ones it will respond?

Together with managers and em-ployees at Maverick Southern Kitchens, Elliott has decided on three core social needs to serve: the home-less, the hungry and public education.

“These three areas make sense for our company,” she said. “Nevertheless, we also give to the Special Olympics, the School of Building Arts, a local theater group and oth-ers. We spread out our contributions; another company might just write one big check each year.” •

the takeaway3 Seek employee input on causes and social needs you would like to serve. 3 Decide how much of your budget you can allocate to charitable giving.3 Write a single check or spread out your contributions over time or between causes.



I

The Dorchester County Fund Neighbors and friends come together to create new endowment

t is safe to say that neither George nor Jane Tupper had philanthropy on the brain when they first met on a blind date on Johns Island 51 years ago. Giv-ing was simply woven into the tapes-try of their daily lives.

“My grandfather was a physician who of-ten gave his time without being paid,” George Tupper said.

“Our church backgrounds encouraged us to be systematic about giving. During Lent, we would try to fill up our mite boxes to help the less fortunate,” Jane Tupper said. She re-called those long-ago days filling special cards with slots for ten dimes to raise money for community projects at school.

More than half a century after they met, Jane and George Tupper are still “system-atic about giving,” and their names are al-most synonymous with the new Dorchester County Fund. George Tupper first saw the value of creating a fund a few years ago when he served on the board of the Saul Alexander Fund, managed by the Coastal Community Foundation.

“This man, Saul Alexander, had the fore-sight to leave close to $500,000 when he died in 1952. We have watched that fund grow to reach just over $2.5 million with money given out along the way,” Tupper said.

Last year the Saul Alexander Fund con-tributed $96,385 to charities in the Charleston and Summerville areas.

“This is what compounding interest can do,” Tupper said.

‘together we can make a difference’

Inspired to do something similar, Tupper and his wife started the fund basically in their living room, calling a few friends to see if they would pledge $1,000 per year for five years. Word spread almost instantly, and other peo-ple soon started calling to see how they could get involved. So far, more than 80 individuals and families have committed to contribute.

It is clear Tupper enjoyed the process of getting this fund started. “People can already

see what is happening, and they know this fund is giving locally. It’s an easy sell because of what it is,” he said.

By Tupper’s accounting, it was George Ste-vens, CEO of the Coastal Community Foun-dation, who approached the Tuppers with the idea of establishing a Dorchester County Fund, which would be modeled on the suc-cessful funds already established in Berkeley, Beaufort and Georgetown counties.

For George Tupper, this model of giving has one important message to people: “These funds show you don’t have to be very rich in order to give.” He sees the value in combin-ing donations, investing them and setting up a structure that operates in perpetuity.

According to Stevens, it was Tupper’s rep-utation in the community for commitment and honesty that made raising funds so easy.

“People knew that if George (Tupper) was in-volved that the work would benefit the whole community,” he said.

Stevens compared creating this new fund to an old-fashioned barn raising, where neigh-bors help neighbors.

“It’s not the number of nails you pound that counts; it’s the number of people you bring to-gether,” Stevens said.

Money from the Dorchester County Fund will go to local charities selected by a com-mittee of Dorchester County residents, with guidance from the Coastal Community Foun-dation. Christine Beddia, marketing and com-munication director for the foundation, said, “They pulled together to create a permanent resource, an endowment, to serve Dorches-ter County. Now these small nonprofits won’t always have to compete for funding with larger, more established groups in the greater Charleston area.”

In its first few months of existence, the fund is making waves with $425,000 already pledged toward its goal of $500,000. George Tupper insisted that he really was not respon-sible for creating this new channel of commu-nity service.

“I was simply in the right position to be able to do this,” he said. “I certainly could not have done this without the help of a lot of peo-ple. Talk about a joint effort — this was it.” •

“i was simply in the right

position to be able to do this. i

certainly could not have done

this without the help of a lot

of people. talk about a joint

effort — this was it.”

George TupperDorchester County Fund

By Laura M. Camacho




WBy Laura M. Camacho

To avoid donor fatigue, give wiselyorthy causes abound in the Lowcountry, and the needs of the community seem to grow and change with the seasons. In these challenging economic times, nonprofits often struggle

to expand their donor lists, while donors are forced to choose between ever increasing re-quests for funds.

In addition, natural disasters such as the earthquakes in Haiti and Japan can divert donations away from local charities that Low-country businesses and individuals normally support. When it comes time to give again on a local level, these donors either aren’t moti-vated to do so or don’t have additional funds to give.

Giving wisely means making certain your dollars are legitimately and effectively spent. But how do you verify the legitimacy of an or-ganization or group? And how can you deter-

mine how your gift will be spent? Firsthand knowledge or experience with

a charity or nonprofit organization certainly helps, as does turning to area community foundations (in the Lowcountry, visit www.ccf.org and www.tuw.org).

Many websites rate charities based in part on information collected from their IRS Form 990. Among these are:

www.give.org: The Better Business Bu-reau’s Wise Giving Alliance offers condensed

Natural disasters such as the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March can divert dollars away from Lowcountry charities. (Photo/U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Brennan O'Lowney)

The Big Idea Plus Pre-Conference SessionsFebruary 28, 2012

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Hear from SC’s leading volunteers, development professionals and

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SCANPO members receive discounted conference rates.

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Robert EggerDC Central Kitchen’s founder,

will share his inspirational story and passion for nonprofit work.

His is the country’s first “community kitchen” where

food donated by hospitality businesses and farms fuels a nationally recognized culinary arts job training program for

unemployed men and women.

Google him and see.

reports on 500 national charities evaluated against the BBB’s “Standards for Charity Ac-countability” of how well a charity governs its organization, how it spends its money, the truthfulness of how it represents itself to do-nors, and its willingness to disclose informa-tion to the public.

www.charitynavigator.org: This website features a star system for rating 5,000 chari-ties, with analysis based entirely on data from the charities’ federal tax returns. The site also compares expenses and revenue/cost trends.

www.charitywatch.org: offers letter grades for 500 major American charities us-ing a proprietary evaluation system from the nonprofit American Institute of Philanthropy, which runs the site.

www.guidestar.org: maintains a database on 1.8 million IRS-recognized tax-exempt or-ganizations and provides do-it-yourself tools for analyzing their nonprofit data. •

http://www.scanpo.org

http://www.afplowcountry.com


VOLuNtEEriNG

8 www.charlestonbusiness.com

WBy Holly Fisher

Skill, expertise and time all ways for businesses to contribute

hen it comes to being philan-thropic, businesses don’t always have the budgets to write a big check or be the top-level spon-sor of a fundraising dinner. But

that doesn’t mean a business can’t help. Using professional skills for the greater

good is a concept that marketing expert Jeff Taylor knows well. He has helped several nonprofits, including creating a well-known campaign for the Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center, an organization that works to protect children from abuse.

About three years ago, the center ap-proached Taylor’s firm, Cognetix, about do-ing marketing work. When Taylor made the new business pitch, he learned more about the center and was captivated by the work it was doing, he said.

Knowing the center had a small budget, Taylor decided to take on the project pro bono, and the result is an annual campaign — “I believe ... child abuse is a grown-up prob-lem” — that brings awareness to child abuse during April, National Child Abuse Preven-tion Month.

Designers at Cognetix work on the cam-paign and Taylor consults on various aspects of marketing and public relations, but the staff at Dee Norton does most of the heavy lifting. It’s a way for the center to receive professional services and a way for Cognetix to make an impact in the community.

While Cognetix has received awards and recognition for its work on the campaign, Taylor said that’s certainly not the motivation.

“I have kids myself and it’s something I feel strongly about,” he said. “It’s tough not to want to work for them.”

A corporate culture of givingBusinesses don’t have to undertake a mar-

keting campaign to contribute. Giving can be part of a company’s everyday activities.

As Barry Waldman, vice president of com-munications for Trident United Way, points out, the possibilities are endless. “If you can’t give money or raise money, you can give your expertise or have a blood drive. There are so many opportunities for any company to weave philanthropy into their operation.”

School programs, such as mentoring pro-grams or lunch buddies, can launch a rela-tionship between a business and the school, Waldman said. And companies benefit be-cause they are having a positive long-term impact on creating an educated workforce.

Establishing guidelinesDeciding you want to share your business

skills and expertise with a nonprofit is a good first step, but it’s not the only consideration for creating a meaningful relationship.

Jon Yarian, a partner in SeaChange Public Relations, stresses the importance of a good fit coupled with setting guidelines and boundar-

ies for any project. First, find a nonprofit that truly

needs the skills you have to offer, said Yarian, who’s implemented a formal

process in his pro bono work. Nonprof-its aren’t going to turn away volunteers

— even if those skills aren’t exactly what they need.

Yarian stresses the importance of using organizations like the Coastal Com-

munity Foundation and the S.C. Association of Nonprofit Organizations as a matching ser-vice.

“Let them help you connect the dots,” he said.

The next step is creating a short plan that includes goals, metrics, parameters of the

partnership and a timeline, Yarian said.“Telling an executive directory you’ll do

‘whatever’ doesn’t help them or you,” he said.A plan of action keeps the relationship on

track and offers a measure of accountability by giving both sides an agreed upon reference point.

In the end, it’s all about a company’s will-ingness to step out there and serve. No matter what their product, service or skill set, there’s sure to be a nonprofit with that very need.

“Don’t assume what you do can’t be of service to someone,” Yarian said. “You’ll find there are opportunities.” •

NONPrOFit WOrk ALSO SErVES AS NEtWOrkiNG tOOL

After the primary goal of making a dif-ference in the community, a terrific sec-ondary benefit to businesses engaged in philanthropy is networking and training — especially for their younger employ-ees. Trident United Way’s loaned executive program gives young professionals a great deal of exposure in the community.

Loaned executives are temporary, full-time employees who are either loaned by their company or hired by Trident United Way to help organizations run successful United Way campaigns. They get training, including Dale Carnegie and public speak-ing lessons, and spend 13 weeks net-working, building relationships and learn-ing about their community, both from the business and human service perspectives, said Barry Waldman, TUW vice president of communications.

“What companies get back are more confident, better connected and more so-cially aware employees,” Waldman said.

Trident United Way recruits loaned ex-ecutives through a variety of channels, including classified ads, usually in the late spring. A few loaned executives start work in the summer, and the rest join them in the fall.

Photo/Cognetix


VOLuNtEEriNG


WBy Holly Fisher

hen deciding where to spend your volunteer time, thinking about your own passion and expertise is key. And that’s even more apparent when a nonprofit

asks you for what could be a significant time commitment: board service.

Boards vary greatly, depending on the size of the nonprofit, its mission and its current needs, said Madeleine McGee, president of the S.C. Association of Nonprofit Organiza-tions.

“A nonprofit goes through life cycles, and the needs of boards vary depending on that life cycle,” she said. “A startup needs a smaller, hands-on board. A bigger (nonprofit) is run by the executive director.”

So the first step is looking not at the non-profit, but at yourself, to determine what kind of experience you want — advisory and stra-tegic or organizing the annual oyster roast. Think about yourself, McGee said, and ask yourself what you want to do and what you enjoy.

Once you’ve found a match, understand the responsibilities of the board members. Will you be asked to contribute financially — for some boards this is a requirement — or will you be asked to lead an additional com-mittee?

Board members also are tasked with legal and fiduciary responsibilities, so understand-ing your role on the board and the health of the organization is important to protect not only the nonprofit, but yourself, as well.

Pilot training program graduates ‘board leaders’

The Charleston Metro Chamber of Com-merce recently partnered with Trident United Way to offer Get On Board, a nonprofit vol-unteer leadership training program open to members of Charleston Young Professionals and graduates of Leadership Charleston. The pilot program took 20 professionals, trained them and matched them with local nonprofits in committee and board positions.

As a Leadership Charleston graduate, Dennis Hager went through the Get On Board training, in which he gained a better understanding of the technical aspects and duties of board service.

Hager, who moved to Charleston about two years ago for a job at SPAWAR, is now volunteering with the boards of the Education Foundation — a chamber initiative — and the Charleston Regional Development Alliance.

Passion, skills and professional abilities were part of Hager’s decision to volunteer with those organizations. Hager oversees cor-porate strategy at SPAWAR, so he’s versed in objectives, strategic plans and metrics. It made sense for him to join the CRDA board and become involved in Op-portunity Next, an effort to align the region’s commu-nity development, workforce develop-ment and economic development.

“I wanted to be on a board that fo-cuses more on the policy and strategy side and effecting change in a bigger perspective,” Hager said.

He also said he didn’t think twice about serving. “This is my community and I wanted to get involved in certain areas, so it was just a matter of determining which ones I wanted to spend my time on,” he said. •

Do your homework before serving on a board

QuEStiONS tO ASk A NONPrOFit BEFOrE SErViNG ON tHE BOArD

What are the values of the organization?What is its mission, purpose, services and history?What is expected of the board members?Is there a strategic plan for the next year or for the next five years? Is there a new board member orientation or training program? What is the organization budget and how financially healthy is the organization?Does the nonprofit have directors and officers insurance? What are the legal and fiduciary respon-sibilities? Do board members sign a code of con-duct? Ask for a copy in advance. How does the board handle potential conflicts of interest? Source: Get On Board Nonprofit Leader-ship Training, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce/Trident United Way

the takeaway3 Volunteer with the

organization before you join its board. You’ll have a better understanding of how the organiza-tion works and you’ll be proud to sell the mission.

3 Meet the executive director. Is he or she someone you respect and could work with?

3 Find out if the board is a working board or an advisory board, which will help you determine the time commitment involved.

Source: Madeleine McGee, president of the

S.C. Association of Nonprofit Organizations


iNVEStiNG iN EDuCAtiON


HBy Jan Scalisi

Improving literacy in our schools Book Buddies program helps at-risk readers thrive

ere’s a sobering statistic: If a child does not learn to read by the end of third grade, there’s an 88% chance that he never will. In Charleston County, nearly 25% of all ninth-graders read

at a fourth-grade level or below

upon entering ninth grade. With alarming illiteracy rates across the

nation — estimated at 17.5% — more and more volunteers are giving their time to local schools, and they are making a profound dif-ference.

A little tutoring goes a long way

Now starting its third year, Charleston Volunteers for Lit-eracy’s Book Buddies program sends 200 volunteers to six Title I schools in the Charleston County School District.

Armed with lesson plans, ma-terials and an hour to tutor

a second-grader, the Book Buddies volun-

teers leverage the suc-

cess of the acclaimed Charlottesville, Va., Book Buddy model to bring at-risk readers up to grade level.

The Virginia model was duplicated after Charleston County Schools Superintendent Nancy McGinley asked the Coastal Com-munity Foundation to find a research-based tutoring program for children.

After a promising three-month pilot proj-ect based on the Charlottesville program, the Charleston initiative launched in 2009 under the aegis of Charleston Volunteers for Litera-cy. It is now flourishing in Mary Ford, Burns, Sanders-Clyde, Mitchell, Memminger and James Simons elementary schools.

The key to Book Buddies is its professional reading specialists. Assigned to 16 children per school, the reading specialists test the children, consult with teachers to choose stu-dents who have reading scores between the

http://www.riverdogs.com




What is a title i school? Title I schools are schools that qualify for funding through the No Child Left Behind law,

which was enacted to ensure that all children have a fair, equal and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach at least minimum proficiency on state academic achievement standards. In order to meet this classification criteria, a school must have, at a minimum, 40% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.

12th and 45th percentiles, and create all les-son plans and follow-ups.

“It’s easy for the volunteers, because it’s planned for them,” said Kecia Greenho, ex-ecutive director of Charleston Volunteers for Literacy. “They’re in and out in an hour.”

impressive resultsThe students are seen twice a week by a

volunteer tutor or pair of volunteer tutors. The results speak for themselves: 94% of the pro-gram’s students last year achieved at or above grade level on reading testing. And they’re not the only ones who benefit.

“The program pulls five or six children at a time to come to our room for tutoring,” said Joanne Calhoun, Book Buddies program di-rector. “That means the teacher’s load of chil-dren is lighter at that hour, so he or she can deal more individually with students.”

Students ask to be included in the program year after year, and the volunteer retention rate is 85%.

“We have volunteers from every walk of life — all age groups, all races, both gen-ders, almost every profession,” Calhoun said. “What surprises many of them is learning about the poverty level of Title One schools — our schools have an 89.5% poverty level and up.”

The volunteers find the work satisfying, according to Calhoun, who often hears vol-unteers describe their tutoring hours as the bright spot in their week.

Charleston Book Buddies, which hopes to expand to all Title I schools in Charleston County, welcomes new volunteers.

To contact the organization, email Charleston Volunteers for Literacy at [email protected]. •

tri-County title i Schools Served for the 2011-2012 School year:

Berkeley County school districtBerkeley ElementaryBerkeley IntermediateBoulder Bluff ElementaryCainhoy Elementary/MiddleCane Bay ElementaryCollege Park ElementaryCross ElementaryDevon Forest ElementaryGoose Creek PrimaryHenry E. Bonner ElementaryJ.K. Gourdin ElementarySangaree IntermediateSedgefield IntermediateSt. Stephen ElementaryWhitesville Elementary

Charleston County school districtA.C. Corcoran ElementaryAngel Oak ElementaryBaptist Hill HighBlaney ElementaryBurke HighCharleston Development Academy CharterCharleston ProgressiveChicora ElementaryEdith L. Frierson ElementaryEdmund A. Burns ElementaryEllington ElementaryGarrett Academy of TechnologyGreg Mathis CharterHaut Gap MiddleHunley Park ElementaryJames Simons ElementaryJane Edwards ElementaryJerry Zucker Middle School of ScienceLadson ElementaryLambs ElementaryLincoln HighMalcolm C. Hursey ElementaryMary Ford ElementaryMatilda Dunston ElementaryMemminger ElementaryMidland Park Primary

Source: S.C. Department of Education Office of Federal and State Accountability

Military Magnet AcademyMinnie Hughes ElementaryMitchell ElementaryMorningside MiddleMt. Zion ElementaryMurray-Lasaine ElementaryNorth Charleston ElementaryNorth Charleston HighNorthwoods MiddleOakland ElementaryPepperhill ElementaryPinehurst ElementaryR.B. Stall HighSanders-Clyde ElementarySt. James-Santee ElementarySt. John’s HighStono Park ElementaryThe Apple Charter SchoolW.B. Goodwin ElementaryWest Ashley Middle

dorchester County school district 2Eagle Nest ElementaryFlowertown ElementaryJoseph R. Pye ElementaryKnightsville ElementaryNewington ElementaryOakbrook ElementarySpann ElementarySummerville ElementaryWilliam M. Reeves ElementaryWindsor Hill Arts Infused Elementary

dorchester County school district 4Clay Hill MiddleHarleyville-Ridgeville ElementarySt. George MiddleWilliams Memorial Elementary

Mitchell Elementary. (Photo/David Wingard)




im Frye wanted to do something meaningful when he retired as presi-dent of a manufacturing firm in 2002. Little did he know that his of-fer of time volunteering at a nearby elementary school would grow into a

passionate commitment that would dramati-cally change his life and the lives of many oth-ers.

“I started out shelving books in the li-brary,” Frye said. “It was boring, but the librar-ian needed help, and I said I’d give one day a week.”

Nearly 10 years later, Frye heads the Mary Ford Foundation, a nonprofit foundation he founded in 2006 with the sole purpose of tak-ing care of the needs of Mary Ford Elementary School, a Title I elementary school in North

Charleston two miles from Frye’s home.“It has gotten to be my passion,” said Frye,

who added that helping a kindergarten teach-er was the most fun he ever had. “That’s my school, those are my kids, those teachers are my best friends.”

Now deeply committed to the prekinder-garten through fifth-grade school and its un-derprivileged student body, Frye spends 12 to 15 hours a week volunteering. His journey has been the school’s journey, and he has learned and changed a great deal along the way.

“I have a very different attitude toward teachers and administrators than I used to have,” Frye said. “Teachers in a school that has very poor test scores can’t teach enough because they have to be social workers, keep kids in their seats, keep them from walk-

ing around, keep them from talking over the teacher. Their lack of focus and discipline makes it difficult.”

Assessing needs key to effecting change

Early on, Frye saw a great need for more tools for the teachers, who were understaffed and lacked support. He managed to secure an Americorps Vista volunteer, who helps write grants, secures programs and positions, and recognizes students and teachers who go above and beyond. Last year, a tough cam-paign to hire an on-site mental health worker succeeded.

As of two years ago, students and parents who usually went to the emergency room for health care now have their own health clinic

One volunteer helps save a school Giving kids a chance

J

Jim Frye assists Sevondrelle Delaney, 10, with math homework and listens to Joshua Robinson, 10, reading at Mary Ford Elementary School.

By Jan Scalisi • Photography by Leslie Burden




run by a doctor at the school one day a week. The school’s parent coordinator has increased participation in PTA meetings from six par-ents to 45-60 parents.

Partnerships with other organizations — nonprofit, business, religious and gov-ernmental — have been vital to the school’s turn-around. In-kind donations such as snacks for teachers’ meetings have improved morale. Partnering with the Trident United Way, Charleston Promise Neighborhood and Charleston Book Buddies has brought in needed services and initiatives.

Frye has been relentless in his search for volunteers, telling the story in any available venue, recruiting volunteers and spreading information through word of mouth. In a volunteer sign-in book that carried only his name nearly a decade ago, there are now 100 volunteers.

Frye continues his own volunteer work

at the school. He spends his mornings look-ing for grants, working closely with Principal Mary Reynolds on pressing needs and long-term direction. He serves as a teacher’s assis-tant in a fifth-grade classroom, grading papers and making copies so the teacher can spend more time teaching students.

Putting each piece in place is a complex and challenging job, but Frye said the school is seeing an impact. Teacher turnover has plummeted, from 50%-70% to losses only from budget cuts or moving away from town. The teacher-student ratio is down to 1 to 15, a tremendous factor in the school’s efforts to bring the students to grade level in reading.

There’s still much work to be done, partic-ularly in light of across-the-board education budget cuts. But for Frye, it has been the edu-cation of a lifetime. •

To contact Jim Frye and the Mary Ford Foundation, call 843-729-2183.

“It has gotten to be my

passion. That’s my school,

those are my kids, those

teachers are my best friends.”

Jim FryeVolunteer at Mary Ford

Elementary School and head of the

Mary Ford Foundation

Jim Frye assists Gamahl Keels-Bobo, 10, with homework at Mary Ford Elementary School.




Educators in the Wise program tour the Alcoa Mt. Holly plant in Berkeley County.

WBy Allison Cooke Oliverius

Education Foundation fosters partnerships between schools and businesses

hen it was announced in the early 1990s that the Charles-ton Navy Base would close and tens of thousands of jobs would be lost, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce enlisted

consultant Ross Boyle to devise strategies to help the region survive the hit.

One of Boyle’s key recommendations was that the chamber get involved with public ed-ucation and encourage area businesses to fol-low suit. The result was the creation in 1995 of The Education Foundation, a branch of the chamber that focuses on building sustainable partnerships between businesses and schools in all four school districts.

“Our saying is that The Educa-tion Foundation is where business and education meet, and we mean it,” said Allen Wutz-dorff, executive di-rector of the non-profit organization.

The founda-tion’s board is a mix of educators and businesspeople who collaborate to create programs that help foster a better-educated student body and build a more suc-cessful community.

“It’s about cre-ating awareness between the two groups,” Wutzdorff

said. “The schools need help but don’t know how to ask, and the businesses want to help but don’t know what to do.”

Getting on the same page With a primary focus on public high

schools, The Education Foundation has cre-ated several programs aimed at ensuring

students graduate from high school with the skills, knowledge and work ethic they will need to pursue college or technical school or immediately enter the workforce.

“What drives me is when I see students in high school who discover something in the real world they really love to do that matches what they are good at and what they like,” Wutzdorff said. “When they say, ‘Yes, I want to do that, I want to get in that field,’ they be-come engaged. And that’s what’s going to keep them from dropping out.”

Part of this equation is making sure that teachers spend time in local businesses, where they can gain insight and witness real world application of what they teach in the class-room. The foundation provides a number of opportunities for professional development. Some include:

Workplace Institute for EducatorsThrough this program, known as Wise,

teachers, guidance counselors and others spend one day a month at various organiza-tions learning about businesses, job skills, job requirements and business needs.

STEM in the WorkplaceThis workplace institute is targeted for ed-

ucators in the disciplines of science, technol-

ogy, engineering and math. Teachers spend three days each summer at the Citadel’s STEM Center of Excellence and two days in a busi-ness partner’s workplace. About 16 companies hosted educators in the workplace for two days this summer, including the Boeing Co., which also funded the workplace experience for educators.

Principal for the DayThis business-targeted program focuses on

giving businesspeople a taste of what goes on in the schools on a daily basis. Seeing students in their element, as well as getting a firsthand look at any needs the school might have, lets executives determine the best ways they can help.

School within a school In addition to these and other programs,

The Education Foundation is in the process of developing career academies within 12 area high schools. Called Edge Academies, which stands for Education and Development for Graduation and Employment, each “school within a school” will be open to all students and will focus on one of three chosen prior-ity areas: engineering/STEM, health sciences and culinary arts. All classes in a priority area will have relevance for the chosen career track.

“We want our students when they gradu-ate to have a future, not dead-end jobs,” Wutz-dorff said. “Whether they go straight to work, enter a training program or go to a two-year or four-year school or go on to get their Ph.D., we want our students to know the path.”

Wutzdorff said that The Education Foun-dation is fortunate to have many sustainable partnerships with area businesses and orga-nizations but that he’s always ready to build more.

“Don’t get me wrong; we need your mon-ey,” Wutzdorff said. “But we also need your time. There are so many ways your business can get involved.” •

For more information on The Education Foundation, call 843-577-2510 or visit www.edfound.net.

the takeawayBuild a sustainable partnership between your business and an area school. There are a number of ways to get involved:3 Invite students to your

workplace for a day.3 Volunteer as a school

or classroom guest speaker.

3 Take part in The Education Foundation’s Principal for a Day program.

3 Help fund a Workplace Institute for Educators program.

3 Sponsor a single teacher attending an educator event.

Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry 15www.charlestonbusiness.com

GiViNG BACk

M

Trident United Way’s Day of Caring marked the beginning of its annual fundraising sea-son. The goal of this year’s campaign, which

ends Dec. 31, is $10.75 million.“Pacesetters” — companies that run their

campaigns before the official start of the fund-raising season — have given the campaign an impressive kick-start, with more than $1.9 million already pledged.

Employees of Roper St. Francis Healthcare, who Trident United Way vice president of commu-

eadWestvaco has a long his-tory of community involvement, supporting such agencies as the United Way, March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, Red

Cross blood drives and the American Heart Association.

Employees at the MWV plant in North Charleston also conduct an annual charitable contribution drive that supports programs such as Metanoia, the Lowcountry Food Bank, Families Helping Families, Charleston County School District’s First Day and Jen-kins Orphanage.

The plant sponsors at least five community advisory panel meetings a year to strengthen relations with neighboring communities and provide a forum for open communication.

In 2011, MWV supported several commu-nity-based programs and initiatives. Among these was the Charleston Library Society, which was awarded matching grant money to complete an extensive retrospective catalog conversion for the Charleston Library Soci-ety’s natural history collection. The completed catalog will facilitate access to the library’s rare and important natural history books and manuscripts for researchers from around the world.

C of C and Water Missions international team up for soccer

Earlier this fall, the College of Charleston men’s soccer team made Charleston-based Water Missions International its charity re-cipient for a game against rival South Caro-lina, asking fans to donate gently used soccer equipment. Nearly 100 shin guards and soc-cer balls, 239 pairs of cleats (many of them new), and several bagfuls of soccer jerseys, shorts, socks and T-shirts were collected from school-age children attending the game.

The equipment will be shipped along with Water Missions International’s water treat-ment systems to children in countries such as Haiti, Belize, Mexico, Honduras, Peru, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda and Indonesia.

Water Missions International is a local en-gineering relief and development nonprofit whose engineers, staff and volunteers design and provide sustainable, safe water treatment systems to disaster victims worldwide and people in 49 developing countries.

trident united Way fundraising campaign starts with nearly $2M in bank

nications Barry Waldman says contribute more annually as a group than any other organization, pledged $508,856. This is the largest employee campaign ever in the Lowcountry, Waldman said.

Among other impressive pacesetter results, employees of Jones Ford increased their contri-butions by 61% this year, with a company match bringing their United Way support to more than $23,000, Waldman said.

“People are demonstrating their concern for neighbors in need during a third year of high

unemployment,” said Todd Gallati, CEO of Tri-dent Health System and 2011 Trident United Way campaign chairman. “I am confident that we will reach the fundraising standard necessary to be-gin achieving our community’s 10-year goals of an 88% high school graduation rate, 30% more people financially stable and 25% more people living healthy lifestyles.”

For a complete list of 2011 Pacesetters and more information on TUW’s 10-year Community Plan for Bold Change, visit www.tuw.org.

MeadWestvaco increases philanthropic reach in 2011 Historic Charleston Foundation and the College of Charleston

In a unique public-private partnership, MWV worked alongside Historic Charleston Foundation, the College of Charleston and the Charleston Museum on a historic Ashley River project. MWV provided funding for College of Charleston archeology students to undertake a two-week excavation along the Ashley River, in hopes of revealing the remains of what is believed to be one of the oldest brick buildings built by the English in South Carolina. As part of the dig, Historic Charleston Foundation hoped to identify the significance of the larger Ashley River His-toric District and the need for its protection.

In 2011, MWV also granted $150,000 to Metanoia, a nonprofit North Charleston or-ganization that focuses on youth leadership development, housing and economic devel-opment. These funds supported the construc-tion and refurbishment of a youth entrepre-neurship center and a voluntary community center. The company sponsored Metanoia’s annual holiday program, provided volunteer readers for its summer Freedom School and donated rain barrels for the children’s garden.

American Red Cross Carolina Lowcountry Chapter

MWV has an ongoing partnership with the Carolina Lowcountry Chapter of the Ameri-can Red Cross. The two work together toward educating the Lowcountry’s rural communi-ties about personal health and safety.

In addition to sponsoring citizen CPR sessions for residents in rural Charleston County, MWV has sponsored a disaster relief trailer based in Walterboro. Citizen CPR ses-sions are planned for other rural Lowcountry communities.

MWV employees serve as volunteer readers for Metanoia’s summer Freedom School


AWArD WiNNErS


AFP recognizes 2011 Outstanding PhilanthropistsEach year at its National Philanthropy

Day luncheon, the Association of Fundrais-ing Professionals Lowcountry Chapter hon-ors outstanding individuals and corporations that serve as models of philanthropy and whose philanthropic leadership enriches the community.

The Outstanding Corporate Philanthro-pist Award recognizes a business or corpo-ration that has demonstrated outstanding commitment through financial support and

motivation of others in philanthropic com-munity involvement.

Likewise, the Outstanding Individual Philanthropist Award recognizes an individ-ual or family with a proven record of generos-ity and exemplary leadership in demonstrat-ing civic and charitable responsibility.

The Outstanding Community Orga-nization Foundation Award recognizes a community organization or foundation that has demonstrated outstanding commitment

through financial support and encouragement and motivation of others in philanthropic in-volvement and leadership roles.

“These awards celebrate the spirit of giving at its best,” said Kenton Barham, president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Lowcountry Chapter.

This year’s winners are Glasspro (Corpo-rate), George and Sandra Fennell (Individu-al), and the Coastal Community Foundation (Organization).

Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist – Glasspro

Outstanding individual Philanthropist – Sandra and George Fennell

Sandra and George Fennell are well-known among philanthropic circles in Charleston, sup-porting a wide range of causes that have impacted the lives of thousands of people

in the Lowcountry. Through dem-onstrated civic and charitable responsibility, leadership, volunteer work and the involve-ment of family and friends, they serve as ac-tive and generous models of philanthropic stewardship.

The Fennells have provided “leadership-

level” donations to the Roper St. Francis Hos-pital Foundation, the Carolina First Arena at the College of Charleston (now TD Bank Arena) and the S.C. Aquarium, as well as sup-porting more than 30 other local nonprofits.

The Fennells are members of numerous prominent giving circles, including the Tiffa-ny Circle of the Carolina Lowcountry Chapter of the American Red Cross, of which Sandra Fennell was a founding member; the Ronald McDonald House; Carolina Youth Develop-ment Center; and the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry.

The Fennells have been active contributors to the College of Charleston for more than 20 years, supporting the Marlene and Nathan

Addlestone Library and the college’s athletic programs, among other programs and priori-ties. George Fennell is a member of the Col-lege of Charleston School of Business’s board of governors, and Sandra Fennell is founder and former member of the Friends of the Li-brary board.

Both are also members of the board of ad-vocates for the Dee Norton Lowcountry Chil-dren’s Center.

“Sandra and George are a powerful force in their mission to support many programs and services across our community, and we are all certainly better organizations because of their involvement,” said Roper St. Francis Hospital President and CEO David Dunlap.

Paul and Paula Heinauer, owners of Glasspro, a Mount Pleasant-based auto glass replacement and repair com-pany, have recently crossed a major milestone, having now disbursed more

than $500,000 to Lowcountry nonprofit or-ganizations through the Coastal Community Foundation. The Heinauers have creatively and charitably used the marketing initiatives of their business, Glasspro, to highlight local nonprofit organizations.

Launched in 1995 in North Charleston, Glasspro now owns and operates nine auto

glass centers in the Lowcountry, including North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summer-ville, Goose Creek, Georgetown, Walterboro, Bluffton, Myrtle Beach and Florence. Presi-dent Paul Heinauer distributes motivational memos on a regular basis to Glasspro employ-ees urging them to be mindful of their com-mitment to customer service and excellence and encouraging teamwork.

“In a service industry like windshield re-placement, it makes sense that the Heinauers would want to instill in their workforce the hard-to-practice but easy-to-understand idea that if you are generous to people, they will be generous in return,” said George Stevens, executive director of the Coastal Community Foundation, which nominated Glasspro. This approach to creating a network of givers and

receivers helps to “teach and practice the core objectives of generosity.”

Last year, Glasspro employees donated a check for $10,000 to Charleston-based Water Missions International after the annual Water Missions International Walk for Water. The Glasspro donation was used for earthquake relief in Haiti.

Another notable example of Glasspro’s philanthropic involvement is the daily “Three Degree Guarantee” promotion on WCBD-TV, Channel 2. This sponsorship of the weather report puts the name of a local nonprofit on the airwaves each night. Thus, the Heinauers invest their company’s marketing dollars to not only promote Glasspro, but also to remind viewers of the importance of local charities and the idea of generosity.


AWArD WiNNErS


Begun in 1974 with $9,000 from the Ro-tary Club of Charleston, the Coastal Commu-nity Foundation today manages and disburses millions of dollars in investments each year. In the most recent fiscal year, the foundation had more than $126 million in assets under management, grew to 569 funds and made more than $9 million in grants across the eight coastal counties it serves.

Its support of the community goes beyond the role of grant maker, as it is also recognized for its leadership role in tackling tough com-munity issues and in supporting the organiza-tional and collaborative development of new and existing local nonprofits.

According to Marc Chardon, president

Outstanding Community Organization Foundation – Coastal Community Foundation

and CEO of Blackbaud, the foundation has worked “diligently and with passion to fos-ter philanthropy in the Lowcountry of South Carolina,” advocating community-based pro-cesses and serving to bolster efforts that create promising new charitable organizations and independent nonprofits in the coastal region.

Organizations and nonprofits vetted or created with the support of the Coastal Com-munity Foundation include the Center for Heirs Property Preservation, Crisis Ministries and the S.C. Association of Community De-velopment Corporations.

Recent initiatives include the Safe Families Initiative in Georgetown to address domestic violence and a partnership to launch a grass-

roots volunteer community literacy program in Charleston County schools.

“CCF and its incredibly dedicated and pro-fessional staff are an asset to the Charleston community,” said Barbara Kelley Duncan, CEO of the Carolina Youth Development Center. “Because of their leadership, nonprof-its grow, develop and thrive within an envi-ronment of excellence.”

Monday, Nov. 14Junior league Philanthropy Celebration Location: City Gallery at Waterfront Park Time: 6-8 p.m.

Join the Junior League of Charleston in kicking off Philanthropy Week in the Lowcountry with a “Celebrating the Past, Present and Future” cocktail party. Enjoy drinks and snacks while past and present Junior League members participate in a panel discussion.

tuesday, Nov. 15Palmetto technology Hub luncheonInvitation only. Register by Friday, Nov. 11. Information and registration: email [email protected].

In honor of Philanthropy Week in the Low-country, Palmetto Technology Hub invites active volunteers and the nonprofits they have helped to a luncheon at Coastal Community Foundation.

This will be a roundtable for attending non-profits and volunteers to discuss their needs for next year, as well as common tech topics and any ideas they have for PATH. In addition, the luncheon will serve as a time to thank volunteers and recognize nonprofits.

Wednesday, Nov. 16 Women Making a difference annual Grants receptionLocation: Historic Rice Mill at the City Marina Complex, 17 Lockwood Drive Time: 6 p.m.

Join Women Making a Difference as they an-nounce and honor the 2011 grant recipients. Open to all members and their guests.

RSVP: Sarah Nielsen at 843-817-8544 or [email protected].

thursday, Nov.17 – National Philanthropy Day

The S.C. Lowcountry Chapter of the Associa-tion of Fundraising Professionals presents this recognition of the contributions of philanthropy in enriching our local and global communities. Established in 1985, this special day celebrates the spirit of giving and provides an opportunity to recognize individuals and corporations that have made a positive impact on the Lowcountry.

aFP luncheon and awardsLocation: Trident Technical College Complex for Economic Development 7000 Rivers Ave., Building 920, North Charleston Time: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Lunch at 12 p.m.

Join the Association of Fundraising Profession-als Lowcountry Chapter in recognizing the 2011 Philanthropy Award winners.Keynote speaker: Anne Eleanor Roosevelt, senior vice president for global corporate citizenship at Boeing.

Tickets can be purchased individually or for tables. Individual tickets: $40 for nonprofits, $60 for corporations. Tables: $350 for nonprofits, $500 for corporations

Reservations: Contact Bonnie Turco at [email protected]. For information, visit the Events page at www.philanthropyweek.org.

Charleston realtors oysters for opportunities FundraiserLocation: Salty Mike’s Deck Bar, 17 Lockwood Drive Time: 5-7 p.m.

The Oysters for Opportunities fundraiser marks the end of Charleston Realtors Care Week, which features a variety of volunteer and educational

opportunities to benefit the Lowcountry communi-ty. Enjoy drinks, oysters, chili from the chili cook-off and live music. 100% of the event’s proceeds will benefit the Realtors Housing Opportunities Fund of Coastal Community Foundation, which supports local affordable housing organizations.

Tickets: $20 for Charleston Trident Association of Realtors members, $25 for nonmembers. Tick-ets include oysters, two drink tickets (wine, beer or house liquor) and parking. Chili will also be available for $1 per sample during the cook-off.

Friday, Nov. 18Charleston Magazine Giving Back awards GalaLocation: Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St. Time: 7-10 p.m. Red carpet show begins at 7 p.m.; live show begins at 8 p.m.

Charleston magazine will honor three individu-als, one business and one nonprofit organiza-tion whose commitments to the community are especially noteworthy. The 2011 Giving Back Award recipients and their causes will be featured in the November edition of Charleston magazine and celebrated at this event. The Giving Back Awards will be aired on My TV Charleston on Nov. 20 at 8 p.m.2011 award winners:volunteer: Patty Coker-Bolt, Charleston Miracle League Creative talent: Tara Guerard, Soiree Business: Charleston School of Law Community Catalyst: Mickey Bakst, Charleston Chefs Feed The Need Jerry Zucker lifetime achievement award: Dr. Charles Darby Jr. Tickets start at $40. Get information on the Events page at www.philanthropyweek.org.

Philanthropy Week in the Lowcountry – Nov. 14-18, 2011

http://www.blackbaud.com/CorporateCitizenship


NONPrOFit SPOtLiGHt

Mission statEMEnt

sponsored by

Year established locally: 1974

Geographic area or specific population served: Donors and nonprofit organizations in eight coastal counties of South Carolina.

total operating budget (current fiscal year): $1.38 million

Contact information:635 Rutledge Ave., Suite 201Charleston, SC 294032015 Boundary St., Second FloorBeaufort, SC 29902

Phone: 843-723-3635Email: [email protected]: www.CoastalCommunityFoundation.org

top local executive: George C. Stevens, Ph.D.

Corporate giving contact:Courtenay Fain, director of development843-723-5736, ext. [email protected]

top achievements in 2011: For the fiscal year from July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2011, grants totaled $9,897,331 in the form of 1,525 grant awards to 735 organizations.

During this time period Coastal Community Foundation reached a milestone, with more than $100 million granted back to the community.

The Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina fosters philanthropy for the lasting good of the community.

http://www.blackbaud.com/CorporateCitizenship

http://www.lowcountryfoodbank.org/


NONPrOFit SPOtLiGHt

Mission statEMEnt


Geographic area or specific population served: Berkeley, Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper and Williamsburg counties

Contact information:2864 Azalea DriveCharleston, SC 29407Phone: 843-747-8146Email: [email protected]: lowcountryfoodbank.org

top local executive: Mark Smith, board chairman

average number of volunteers in 2011: More than 5,000


Percentage of revenue dedicated to program services: 94%

Corporate giving opportunities: The Lowcountry Food Bank has a variety of Corporate Sponsorship Packages, including:• Sponsor one local Backpack Buddies Program at a Title I school• Sponsor one local School Pantry Program at a Title I school• Sponsor five mobile pantry holiday distributions• Sponsor one 42,000-pound truck of fresh, regional produce• Sponsor one 42,000-pound truck of holiday turkeys• Sponsor one apprentice in the Food Works Program• Sponsor fuel for one truck for an entire year

Greatest need: The recent recession still reverberates across our area, and food insecurity is at an all-time high. Families across the community increasingly struggle with the choice of paying for food or paying utility bills, medical costs or other life necessities. Community support will ensure that every child, family and senior citizen has the nutrition to lead healthy, productive lives. Financial and food donations, and advocacy on behalf of our clients struggling with hunger and poverty, empower the Food Bank to fulfill our mission. Volunteers also are vital to feeding the hungry in our community. Each year, the Lowcountry Food Bank depends on 26,000 service hours provided by more than 5,000 volunteers.

top achievements in 2011: • Piloted the Food Works Program: The apprenticeship program provided

culinary training and job search assistance to 10 unemployed and underemployed individuals who assisted the Food Bank’s executive chef and volunteers in preparing more than 70,000 meals using the Zucker Family Production Kitchen.

• Expanded childhood hunger programs: Bolstered the Backpack Buddies and Kids Cafe childhood hunger programs and piloted the School Pantry program in 2011. This program provides up to 800 needy children and families from five coastal South Carolina schools with 20-30 pounds of food each month in the school year.

• Increased service in lean times: The Food Bank is on target to distribute 20 million pounds of food, an 18% increase from 2010.

2012 goals: Focus on partner agency development: The Food Bank will enhance training, professional development and capacity building opportunities for its 380 partner food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and schools to provide food resources, information and tools necessary to create sustainable hunger solutions for clients.

Expand Initiatives that target specific needs: Our organization will continue to examine how it can use its limited resources to make the largest impact on hunger possible, developing new programs and initiatives that meet key, targeted hunger needs.

Fundraising events:Chefs’ Feast, Feb. 26, 2012: Chef Robert Carter and the Lowcountry’s most acclaimed chefs will gather for the 13th annual Chefs’ Feast, presented by Embassy Suites Charleston Area Convention Center. The event features fare from more than two dozen top Lowcountry restaurants. Proceeds benefit the Lowcountry Food Bank’s Kids Cafe and BackPack Buddies programs. For more information and updates, visit www.lowcountryfoodbank.org/chefs-feast.

The Farmer’s Table, Fall 2012: The Lowcountry Food Bank honors the farmers, food artisans and chefs contributing to the growing culinary reputation of Beaufort at the annual Farmer’s Table. For more information about the all-local feast prepared by Beaufort’s talented chefs, visit www.lowcountryfoodbank.org/farmerstable.

The Lowcountry Food Bank feeds the poor and hungry of the 10 coastal counties of South Carolina by soliciting healthy food and grocery products and distributing them to nonprofit agencies and by educating the public about the problems and solutions related to domestic hunger.

http://www.lowcountryfoodbank.org/

http://www.mwv.com


sponsored by

NONPrOFit SPOtLiGHt

Mission statEMEnt


Geographic area or specific population served: Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties.

Contact information:4500 Leeds Ave., Suite 100North Charleston, SC 29405P.O. Box 975Charleston, SC 29402Phone: 843-577-2510Fax: 843-723-4853Website: www.edfound.net

top local executive: Allen Wutzdorff, executive director

average number of volunteers in 2011: 325

total operating budget (current fiscal year): $341,000

Percentage of revenue dedicated to program services: 50%

Greatest need: Business volunteers and corporate investments

Top achievements in 2011:Completion of the master plan for Education and Development for Graduation and Employment Academies. Edge Academies are theme-based schools-within-schools that connect classroom content to real-world college and career scenarios. Priorities for initial rollout of Edge Academies are: STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), health sciences and hospitality/culinary arts.

Investment Opportunities:Visionary $50,000 or moreLeader $25,000Navigator $10,000Catalyst $7,500Pioneer $5,000Pathfinder $3,000Explorer Sponsor $1,000

The Education Foundation is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to building career academies by connecting business and education, working every day to improve our region’s schools, learning opportunities and workforce.

Found from website pdfModify logo & PMS

theeducationfoundation

http://www.edfound.net

http://www.mwn.com

http://www.goodwillretail.com

http://www.southwindcommercial.net

http://www.palmettogoodwill.org


NONPrOFit SPOtLiGHt

Mission statEMEnt


Geographic area or specific population served: People with disabilities, veterans, homeless, displaced workers and those with other barriers to employment in Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Orangeburg Jasper, Sumter and Williamsburg counties.

Contact information:2150 Eagle Drive, Building 100North Charleston, SC 29406Phone: 843-566-0072Fax: 843-566-0062Website: www.palmettogoodwill.org

top local executive: Robert Smith, president and CEO

Corporate giving contacts:Tina Marshall, vice president of corporate [email protected]

average number of volunteers in 2011: 300 total operating budget (current fiscal year): $45 million

Percentage of revenue dedicated to program services: 92% Greatest need: Goodwill accepts household items, car donations, computers and electronics, clothes and other items.

Corporate giving opportunities: Undy 500 Motorcycle Charity Ride will be held in September 2012. Monetary donations are accepted at any location or by mail to 2150 Eagle Drive, Building 100, North Charleston, SC, 29406.

Fundraising events: Shining Stars Awards Banquet will be held in June 2012. Corporate and school donation drives can be scheduled on any date that is convenient for your business. Goodwill provides donation bins and material to help you promote the drive within your business or school. E-waste roundups are scheduled throughout the year in an effort to keep electronic waste out of area landfills. Electronics also can be dropped off at Goodwill’s Computer Works Store located on Rivers Avenue beside Ye Ole Fashioned or at any Goodwill store and donation center.

Goodwill Industries of Lower South Carolina Inc. helps people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work.

sponsored by

http://www.southwindcommercial.net

http://www.palmettogoodwill.org

DAVISAIR, INC.



NONPrOFit SPOtLiGHt

Mission statEMEnt


Geographic area or specific population served: Dorchester County, including Summerville, Grover, St. George, Rosinville, Ridgeville, Harleyville and unincorporated areas.

Contact information:136 Four Paws LaneSummerville, SC 29483P.O. Box 1116Summerville, SC 29484Phone: 843-871-3820Email: [email protected]: www.summervillespca.com

top local executives: Stephen L. Jackson, president of the SPCA board of directors; Wendy Seay, shelter manager


total operating budget (current fiscal year): $461,200

Percentage of revenue dedicated to program services: 90.8%

Greatest need: Financial donations; donations of puppy food, kitten food

and cat litter. New cat cages also are needed. Volunteers are needed for fundraising, dog walking, adoption events and many other tasks. Foster care families are needed on a short- and long-term basis.

top achievements in 2011: Implementation of public spay and neuter program for Dorchester County residents; building of cat medical center; increase in grant funding; increase in live release rate; reuniting lost pets with owners; implementation of the Pet Enrichment Program.

Goals for 2012: Continue to increase the live release rate*, replace the air conditioning system, continue to find new revenue streams in a weak economy. *The live release rate includes animals sent to other rescues, adopted animals and animals placed in foster care.

Fundraising events: Oyster roast and silent auction in February, Paws and Claws Skating Spectacular in March, PAWker Run in September, Fore! Paws! Golf Tournament in October.

Corporate giving opportunities: Businesses are welcome to sponsor fundraising events on their own or provide corporate sponsorships to established fundraising events. Door prizes and silent auction items also are needed for established fundraising events. Businesses may host meet-and-greet adoption events for the animals on weekends or host a food and supplies drive for the animals.

The Frances R. Willis SPCA strives to instill humane principles into society through the prevention of cruelty to animals by feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, reuniting lost pets with owners and finding homes for as many stray animals as possible. The FRWSPCA practices animal kindness and

fights overpopulation by encouraging spaying, neutering and responsible pet ownership through public education.

sponsored by


http://www.summervillescpa.com


NONPrOFit SPOtLiGHt

Mission statEMEnt

The Charleston Animal Society promotes responsible guardianship of domestic animals and advocates the compassionate treatment of all animals.

sponsored by


Geographic area or specific population served: Charleston County and the surrounding areas, including Berkeley, Dorchester and Colleton counties.

Contact information:2455 Remount RoadNorth Charleston, SC 29406Phone: 843-747-4849Email: [email protected]: www.CharlestonAnimalSociety.org

top local executive: Marc Edwards, associate executive director



Percentage of revenue dedicated to program: 87%

Greatest need: The Charleston Animal Society is working day in and day out to combat overpopulation of animals in our community. Not only do more than 11,000 animals a year come through our doors from Charleston and other areas of the tri-county, we face unprecedented numbers as we have opened our doors to animals from flood-ravaged areas of Memphis, Tenn., and tornado-stricken towns like Joplin, Mo. All of the intricacies of our daily work come down to one simple goal: saving animals’ lives. Using innovative programs of rescue and adoption, aggressive spay and neuter outreach, and widespread humane education initiatives, we are saving more lives than ever. Our greatest need is financial support so that we can continue to provide these services to indigent families throughout the Lowcountry in order to decrease our intake and increase the save rate of

abandoned, abused and neglected animals.

Goals for 2012: As a community, we have set an aggressive goal of reaching a 75% live release rate by the end of 2012. This number includes a 10% increase in adoptions and a goal of spaying and neutering 500 more cats in our communitywide trap, neuter and release program. To do this, we must adopt more, euthanize less and spay or neuter every animal possible.

top achievements for 2011: Charleston Animal Society was named a Four Star Charity by Charity Navigator for 2011. The Animal Society spayed and neutered more than 9,000 animals, a large number of which were from low-income households. These surgeries were performed to ensure that every individual who could not afford to have a pet spayed or neutered would be able to, thereby decreasing overpopulation problems. Since the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals named Charleston a partner city in 2007, our live release rate has increased from approximately 37% to 63%, which is a record.

Fundraising events: 12th annual Celebrity Chili Cook-off and Oyster Roast, Dec. 3, 2011, at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park; eighth annual A Furry Affair live and silent auction and gala, April 14, 2012, at Memminger Auditorium; Paws in the Park and The Walk for the Animals in October 2012 in Park Circle.

Corporate giving opportunities:• Become a Charleston Animal Society Event Partner and have a

marketing presence at our events.• Sponsor free adoptions to help find animals a home.• Sponsor a spay or neuter event to help end the overpopulation crisis.• Have a corporate volunteer day to team-build and help a great cause.• Organize a donation drive of toys, food and other supplies to help

animals in need.


http://www.charlestonanimalsociety.org


DAy OF CAriNG


For 2011, the Charleston-area Day of Caring project coordinated by Trident United Way yielded participation

by nearly 8,000 volunteers and invested the equivalent of at least $1 million in labor and supplies to area

nonprofits and community organizations. The 2011 participation was surpassed only by known projects in

the metropolitan areas of Rochester, N.Y., and Seattle. Charleston continues to lead the nation in number of

participants per capita.

Charleston Day of Caring a resounding success

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1) Alcoa Mt. HollyProject: Doc Williams SPCA – Volunteers took down and removed dead trees from the property and also built a handicap ramp.Pictured: Dee Davidson (from left), Marvin Dickerson, Ben Maxson

2) BlackbaudProject: Communities in Schools – St. John’s High School – landscaping school gardensPictured: Rae Cavanaugh

3) Johnson & Johnson:Project: Sea Island Habitat for Humanity and Lowcountry Food Bank Pictured: Francis Johnson, president (left), and Peter Burrous, chief marketing officer

4) kapStone Paper & Packaging:Project: Chicora Elementary School – A total of 47 participants created bulletin board displays, renovated the school garden and cleaned school grounds. Pictured: Kat Lipata

5) MeadWestvaco:Project: More than 100 MWV employees helped support six area projects, including partnering with Middleton Place for a river sweep on the Ashley River, which runs adjacent to the historic plantation.

6) MuSC:Project: Gregg Middle School – Sixty-three members of the Facilities and Engineering Department at MUSC renovated seven classrooms, fixing holes, cracks, drywall and more. They repaired flooring tile, bathroom wall tile and parts of the stage; insulated an AC unit; repainted emergency yellow paint on the bus ramp; and landscaped the grounds. Pictured: Antonio White (foreground); Mike Schultz


DAy OF CAriNG


More than 100 volunteers beautify Park Circle On Trident United Way’s annual Day of Car-ing, 138 volunteers from area businesses and organizations donated 630 hours of work helping Keep North Charleston Beautiful make improvements to the organization’s educational garden, Park Circle, Quarterman Park and Collins Park.

During “bloom with beauty” projects, volun-teers from Blackbaud, Boeing South Caro-lina, National Bank of South Carolina, the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, S.C. Federal Credit Union, the S.C. Stingrays, Steel Technologies, and UPS picked up more than 300 bags of litter and debris and replaced them with 393 flowers, plants and trees.

7) Naval Nuclear Power training Command:Project: Community garden project at Miner Crosby Community Center in North Charleston with the City of North Charleston Parks and Recreation Department. Pictured: Lt. j.g. Tram Dinh (background, from left), Electronics Technician 3rd Class Troy Tyma; Seaman, Electronics Technician Striker Chase Smith (kneeling, from front), and ET3s Class Matthew Dessauer, Gabriel Benson, Brian Richter and Shaun Eddy.

8) Publix No. 1055Project: Painting and repairs at East Cooper Community Outreach. Pictured: Kim Clarke

9) robert Bosch Charleston:Project: The Matilda F. Dunston Primary School project included replacing old basketball backboards. Robert Bosch Charleston donated backboards, rims and nets. Pictured: John Rowe (left), Brad Jones

10) roper St. Francis:Project: Roper St. Francis volunteers assisted East Cooper Meals on Wheels recipients with house cleaning, painting, yard work and minor repairs. This recipient was a 94-year-old woman in Mount Pleasant.

11) Santee Cooper:Project: A group of Santee Cooper employees prepares for landscaping at Habitat for Humanity of Berkeley County.

12) SCANA:Project: Landscaping, painting, maintenance and repairs at Tri-County Family Ministries.Pictured: Clarence Wright (left) and BillyHoover (right).

13) S.C. Federal Credit union:Project: Volunteering at the YWCA’s “Splash of Color” painting project. Pictured: Janiera Green

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Visit our website

www.charlestonrideforhope.comfor more information about the

Jerry Zucker Ride for Hope

http://www.charlestonrideforhope.com

Get behind the Stingrays this season by showing your support of your local hockey team by

attending an upcoming game.

For tickets and information call

843-744-2248or visit

www.stingrayshockey.com

http://www.stingrayshockey.com

2011 giving

Documents

yearly giving guide

business strategy

issue of giving

lowcountry individuals

homegivingyour guide

b u s i n e s s p u

sc business publications

local businesses