2014 Charleston Giving

Giving Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry | 2014 -15

Pouring donations in The power of social media in fundraising

Special thanks to:

Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry

Giving Guide Editor - Jenny Peterson jpeterson@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3145 Special Projects Editor - Licia Jackson ljackson@scbiznews.com • 803.726.7546 Senior Graphic Designer - Jane Mattingly jmattingly@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3118 Graphic Designer - Andrew Sprague asprague@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3128 Managing Editor - Andy Owens aowens@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3142 Senior Copy Editor - Beverly Barfield bbarfield@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3115 Staff Writer - Liz Segrist lsegrist@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3119 Staff Writer - Ashley Barker abarker@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3144 Editorial Assistant - Chris McCandlish chrism@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3123 Research Specialist - Melissa Verzaal mverzaal@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3104 Account executives Senior Account Executive - Sue Gordon sgordon@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3111

contents Features

10

12

The importance of philanthropy hits home

The year of social media

16

18

Employee volunteering a win-win

Successful branding can help nonprofits do a ‘180’

Senior Account Executive - Robert Reilly rreilly@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3107 Account Executive - Sara Cox scox@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3109 Account Executive - Bennett Parks bparks@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3126

South Carolina’s Media Engine for Economic Growth President and Group Publisher - Grady Johnson gjohnson@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3103 Vice President of Sales - Steve Fields sfields@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3110

DepartmentS 4

Quick Facts

6

AWARD Winners

20 NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT 38

Helping out Special thanks to:

Creative Director - Ryan Wilcox rwilcox@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3117 Director of Audience Development - Rick Jenkins rjenkins@scbiznews.com • 864.235.5677, ext. 112 Event Manager - Kathy Allen kallen@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3113 Audience Development & IT Manager - Kim McManus kmcmanus@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3116

SC Business Publications LLC

Audience Development Specialist - Jessica Smalley jsmalley@scbiznews.com • 864.235.5677 ext. 116

A portfolio company of Virginia Capital Partners LLC Frederick L. Russell Jr., Chairman

Event Planner - Jacquelyn Fehler jfehler@scbiznews.com • 864.235.5677, ext. 113 Accounting Manager - Vickie Deadmon vdeadmon@scbiznews.com • 864.235.5677, ext. 100 Custom media division Director of Business Development - Mark Wright mwright@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3143 Account Executive - Mariana Hall mhall@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3105

South Carolina’s Media Engine for Economic Growth The entire contents of this newspaper are copyright by SC Business Publications LLC with all rights reserved. Any reproduction or use of the content within this publication without permission is prohibited. SCBIZ and South Carolina’s Media Engine for Economic Growth are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry

3

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

The Lowcountry region demonstrates a commitment to positive social, educational and economic change through local, regional and statewide giving and the endowed organizations providing services.

Stretching each dollar Nonprofits must budget for the cost of necessary professional services. Below are some examples of how much these services cost each year: Examples of Spending on Legal Services S.C. Coastal Conservation League Inc. Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina, Inc. South Carolina Aquarium Charleston Symphony Orchestra Pinewood Preparatory School Friends Of The Hunley Inc. Darkness To Light East Cooper Habitat for Humanity

Examples of Spending on Accounting Services Preservation Society Of Charleston Camp Happy Days Inc. Trident Area Agency On Aging Inc. Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina Inc. Charleston Symphony Orchestra Lowcountry Food Bank The Kiawah Island Natural Habitat Conservancy Inc. Charleston Wine & Food Festival South Carolina Historical Society Spoleto Festival USA Examples of Spending on Advertising and Communications South Carolina Aquarium Friends Of The Hunley Inc. Charleston Symphony Orchestra Trident United Way Inc. Historic Charleston Foundation Sustainability Institute Inc.

$46,386 $43,538 $34,786 $19,759 $7,688 $7,544 $6,083 $5,872

$63,740 $49,194 $46,062 $42,878 $41,370 $28,900 $27,744 $26,775 $25,040 $24,221

$455,020 $167,520 $153,310 $102,633 $82,334 $72,830

Charleston Stage Company Wings For Kids Carolina Art Association (Gibbes Museum) Charleston Wine & Food Festival

$63,008 $61,493 $60,034 $56,632

Examples of Spending on Information Technology Lowcountry Food Bank $87,353 South Carolina Coastal Conservation League Inc. $73,920 Mason Preparatory School $71,961 South Carolina Aquarium $58,565 Wings For Kids $47,153 Pinewood Preparatory School $43,213 Coastal Community Foundation Of South Carolina, Inc. $41,356 Darkness To Light $40,950 Charleston Wine & Food Festival $38,324 Spoleto Festival USA $33,182 Center For Women In Transition Inc. $25,678

Examples of Spending on Insurance Historic Charleston Foundation $334,420 South Carolina Aquarium $219,816 Spoleto Festival USA $135,130 Coastal Community Foundation Of South Carolina Inc. $126,401 Summerville Family YMCA $113,530 Pinewood Preparatory School $107,409 Trident Academy Inc. $100,934 Jewish Community Center Of Charleston S.C. $99,428 One80 Place (formerly Crisis Ministries) $66,852 Charleston Stage Company $60,672 Source: Coastal Community Foundation/IRS 990 tax forms

Relying on volunteers Lowcountry nonprofit organizations with the highest estimated number of volunteers: Trident United Way, Inc.............................. 9,598 Charleston Habitat for Humanity............... 4,000 The Cooper River Bridge Run Inc............... 3,600 Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina........ 2,888 Charleston Animal Society........................ 2,500 Boy Scouts of America Coastal Carolina Council, Inc...................... 2400 Sea Island Habitat for Humanity................ 2,300

Dorchester Habitat for Humainty............... 1,350 Junior League of Charleston.................... .1,050 Charleston Parks Conservancy.................. 1,000 Pet Helpers Inc............................................ 971 East Cooper Habitat for Humanity................ 750 One80Place................................................. 400 East Cooper Meals on Wheels...................... 400 Reading Partners......................................... 350

Charleston Horticultural Society................... 300 Darkness to Light......................................... 300 East Cooper Community Outreach................ 250 Meals on Wheels of Summerville Inc............ 211 Trident Literacy Association.......................... 200 Charleston Promise Neighborhood................. 75 Charleston County Volunteer Rescue Squad... 43 ITN Charleston Trident.................................... 35 Source: Coastal Community Foundation

4 Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry

www.charlestonbusiness.com

Association of Fundraising Professionals’

Outs Outstanding tsta tandi din ing g Fo Founda Foundation o dati datio ion o Philanthropy P Phil Ph ila lanth anthro ropy rop opy py Award Awa ward rd Wi Winner inner nne

Association of Fundraising Professiona Professionals’ als’

Outs Outstanding Ou tsta standi and din ing ng Corp Corporate orpora rpora rate e Philanthropy P Ph hil ila lanth anthro rop ropy opy py Awa Award ward rd Wi Winner inner e

Association of Fundraising Professionals’

Outs Outstanding tsta tandi din ing In Indi Individual dividua divi vid id dual Philanthropy Phil Ph Philanthrop ila lanth thro rop opy py Award Awa ward rd Wi Winner inner e

www.charlestonbusiness.com

5

Award Winners

National Philanthropy Day award luncheon honors influential Lowcountry donors

By Jenny Peterson

kler Group, a fundraising firm. “Together, the impact of our philanthropy lifts up our entire hree generous and influential philan- community,” she said. thropists from the Lowcountry area will be honored at this year’s Philan- The 2014 winners include: thropy Day Luncheon Awards Celebration • The Kite Foundation, honored as Outpresented by the local chapter of the Associastanding Foundation, nominated by the tion of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

Coastal Community Foundation Since 1996, the AFP’s SC Lowcountry • The Darby Family, (Buddy Darby, John Chapter has been honoring groups and indiDarby, Anne Darby Parker, their spouses viduals who support and invest in community and children) honored as Outstanding organizations.

Individual Philanthropist, nominated by “Contributions to nonprofit organizations the Coastal Community Foundation allow an individual to have a far greater im- • Cummins Inc., honored as Outstanding pact than they would ordinarily be able to Corporate Philanthropist, nominated by have on their own. It is through this collecthe Carolina Youth Development Center tive philanthropy that our society has taken on (and conquered) some of the greatest chalEach will be honored at the 18th annual lenges facing our time,” said Jennifer Richard, Philanthropy Day Luncheon Awards CelPresident of the Association for Fundraising ebration presented by the AFP’s Lowcountry Professions—SC Lowcountry Chapter. Rich- Chapter on Nov. 13 at noon at Trident Techard is also chief operating officer of the Win- nical College auditorium.

T

6 Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry

Those recognized this year were chosen from a group of nearly a dozen nominees, all of whom gave an incredible amount of time and financial support to community organizations in the area, said Kathleen Forbes, the AFP’s awards chairwoman.

Forbes said nonprofit organizations worked together with other nonprofits to collectively nominate an individual or organization this year. Each nomination included letters about the impact that group or individual has had on the organization and in the community at large.

“This luncheon celebrates the accomplishments of the award winners in bettering our community, and it raises public interest and awareness of the importance of philanthropy,” Richard said. “Our hope is that National Philanthropy Day inspires the attendees to connect with causes as well as each other.” Visit www.afplowcountry.afpnet.org for more information.

www.charlestonbusiness.com

AWARD WINNERS

Philanthropy Day award winners Outstanding Foundation: The Kite Foundation The Kite Foundation was the ideal candidate for AFP’s National Philanthropy Day Award for Outstanding Foundation. Through the foundation’s generous support for arts organizations in the tri-county area, the Kite Foundation has had a major impact on the artistic vitality of the local arts community.

Nancye Starnes from the Kite Foundation had a vision of collaboration between arts organizations to benefit the entire community. The Kite Foundation put that vision into action with a matching gift on Lowcountry Giving Day on May 6, 2014. That matching gift mobilized members of the Charleston Regional Alliance for the Arts and empowered arts organizations in the tri-county to collectively raise more than $560,000 in twenty-four hours. On that day, hundreds of

new donors were created for local arts organizations. Not only did each arts organization raise money, they also raised awareness of the value of the arts for the Lowcountry.

In addition, through the Kite Foundation’s engagement as a strategist and advocate for Lowcountry Giving Day, it helped generate momentum for the giving day that ultimately generated more than $4 million in gifts to charities in the Lowcountry in a single day.

In donating to causes such as Lowcountry Giving Day, the Kite Foundation displays its commitment to an innovative and sustainable philanthropic culture. The Kite Foundation advanced the entire nonprofit arts sector by providing an opportunity for collaboration that yielded increased funding and visibility for the arts.

Programs like the OPEN Arts Expo, a free to the public event that celebrates the arts in the tri-county, would not be possible without the support of the Kite Foundation. (Photo/Charleston Regional Alliance for the Arts)

Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist: Cummins Inc. At the corporate level, Cummins Inc. believes a company is only as healthy as the communities where they do business, and they have corporate responsibility as one of their six core values. Far more than just philanthropy, Corporate Responsibility for Cummins means not only making responsible business decisions, but affirmatively reaching out to help our community and engage their workforce in addressing community needs.

Cummins in Charleston exemplifies these corporate values in many ways. The Turbo Technology plant engaged over 90% of their staff in volunteerism last year, as assessed by their volunteer metrics.

Cummins has a strong history of partnering with local organizations to carry out a philanthropic mission of serving the greater community. These organizations have included Carolina Youth Development Center, Communities in Schools at Jerry Zucker Middle and North Charleston Elem, Charleston Promise Neighborhood at James Simons, Dorchester Seniors, Inc., Malcolm C. Hursey Elementary School, Metanoia Community www.charlestonbusiness.com

Cummins Inc. employee volunteers worked with youths to convert an old BMW into a race car that qualifies for the Lemons Race held in Kershaw, SC. Volunteers committed 5-10 hours each week on the instructional automotive project.

(Photo/provided)

Development Corporation, Military Magnet Academy, SCORE, Teachers’ Supply Closet, The Salvation Army and Trident United Way just to name a few. They also spend time in the schools year round with their Planet Bonehead program, where their employees teach science and environment to students.

Cummins Charleston has 34 leadership donors giving $1,000 or more through their Trident United Way campaign. This contributed to them raising over $111,000 last year

from their employees. With a dollar for dollar corporate match, that brings significant resources to the Trident United Way’s Bold Community Change for education, financial stability and health.

There are few companies in our community that have touched the local region in so many ways.

We are thankful for all the ways in which Cummins partners with the community and they are very deserving of this award.

Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry

7

Award Winners Outstanding Individual Philanthropist: The Darby Family The Darby Family, winner of the Outstanding Philanthropist award, has profoundly influenced and strengthened dozens of local nonprofit organizations. Together, the Darby Family has provided many millions of dollars of support to charities close to their heart. While some of their gifts, such as a $1 million gift to MUSC Children’s Hospital, have attracted wide attention, many smaller gifts to smaller organizations have remained unknown and yet have been transformational in our community.

The generosity of the Darby Family is complemented by their unique approach to effective philanthropy. Often, their financial investment is not restricted to a particular project or program; that allows the recipient nonprofit organization the freedom to use the funds in the best way possible to advance the mission and create change in the Lowcountry.

Through well-timed gifts, the Darby Family has been instrumental in encouraging other donors to join the momentum their gifts have created.

Darby Family members are equally generous with their time and talents, serving on

boards and committees of multiple nonprofit organizations. Their expertise and acumen has been a critical complement to their philanthropic interests, and is reflective of their family commitment to community service.

The Darby Family’s interests are diverse and often centered on improving the quality of life, health, youth development and hous-

8 Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry

ing. Some of the organizations whose missions have been strengthened by the Darby Family include the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry, Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center, Ashley Hall School, Porter Gaud School, Ronald McDonald Charities, the Gailliard Performing Arts Foundation and the Citadel.

•

www.charlestonbusiness.com

COMMUNITY

By Michael Veeck

I

The importance of philanthropy hits home

t was a Tuesday morning as I recall, and life was just about perfect. I had just returned to the Big Leagues after a twenty year absence. The Tampa Bay Rays had been desperate enough that they hired me for the second year of their existence. Twenty years after I had blown up some disco records resulting in my leaving the White Sox in Chicago, under cover of dark, I was back.

Admittedly my wife, daughter and I had to leave the Charleston area to relocate to St. Petersburg, Florida for the job. We had lived in Charleston for four years working with the RiverDogs but Major League Baseball had beckoned, and I just couldn’t deny her siren call. Senior VP of Sales and Marketing for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays…

Ahhhh, but life was good.

As some of you may know, when you become a Florida resident, your children must have a wellness checkup before they can attend school. Rebecca marched off to the pediatrician with the courage of a battalion commander. After failing the vision test, followed by a trip to an expert, eye glasses were given and then the news: Rebecca had Retinitis Pigmentosa, a genetic eye disease with no known cure. That was the end of the “perfect day.” Nothing had changed, Rebecca was still my beautiful daughter. But, Libby and I had joined the ranks of some of the finest people

I know; parents of patients with debilitating eye diseases. We were introduced to special needs children. Suddenly all of those tickets we had donated over the years, fundraisers we had hosted, and money we had raised become a lot more personal. It wasn’t someone else’s child, it was ours. It was our daughter.

I went to Tropicana Field a few days later and resigned. The joy was gone. We had been so hopeful, and yet, all bets were off. Suddenly a job in Major League Baseball didn’t seem so important anymore. But, I knew what did – Rebecca. Suddenly my days went from 16 hours figuring out how to put people in the stands to planning solutions to real problems.

I had to learn how to prioritize. I decided that Rebecca needed a long trip around America to see all of the things that she would no longer be able to see at some point (R.P. slowly destroys the vision with no known timetable).

We saw Pikes Peak, the Grand Canyon, the Pacific Coast Highway. When we left, she was holding my hand. When we returned, I was holding on for dear life. That was when I started to understand the joy of giving and the grace needed to receive. People extended themselves and reached out to us. People we had never met, people from all walks of life.

People even joined in raising money for the National Eye Institute and Storm Eye. Not because they had to, but because it made them

happy. It fulfilled a basic human desire and we helped each other. We are truly the family of women and men.

Philanthropy fulfills a basic human need.

Not only is the need to connect satisfied, but also the need to recognize that we are not at the center of it all. Whatever deity you honor, whatever blueprint you use to navigate, it all comes down to simple triumvirate: faith, hope and charity. Faith is that which helps us to believe not only in ourselves, but more importantly in each other. Hope is the promise of a new and better way, a vision of what could be. Martin Luther King Jr. didn’t have a plan, he had a dream. He hoped for a better future! I believe charity is the most God like.

It is love and it begins at home. Whatever our spiritual beliefs are, it is charity that brings us closer to the everlasting truth. Thank you, Rebecca, for teaching your old poppy about giving.

Thanks to you all for giving some hope to the Veeck family. Amen.

•

Mike Veeck is the president of the Charleston Riverdogs minor league baseball team.

Veeck and his wife, Libby, reside in Mt. Pleasant. He is the father of two children, William “Night Train” and Rebecca. Veeck is the keynote speaker at this year’s Philanthropy Day Luncheon.

“We saw Pikes Peak, the Grand Canyon, the Pacific Coast Highway. When we left, she was holding my hand. When we returned, I was holding on for dear life. That was when I started to understand the joy of giving and the grace needed to receive.”

– Mike Veeck

10 Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry

www.charlestonbusiness.com

COMMUNITY

www.charlestonbusiness.com

Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry

11

The year of

social media

12

Cover Story

By Jenny Peterson

I

t’s a dream of any fundraising organization: A video campaign on social media to encourage donations for medical research goes viral, raising almost $101 million in just 30 days – a staggering 3,500 % increase in donations compared to the same

time period a year ago.

The ALS ice bucket challenge was responsible for the ubiquitous videos of people dumping a bucket of ice on their heads while announcing they were making a donation; donors then challenged others to do the same. The videos supported Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, and donations poured in nationwide at a mind-boggling rate.

13

Cover Story The ice bucket challenge, attributed widely to Boston-area baseball player Pete Frates, who suffers from ALS, combined perfect timing and a perfect audience—it was summer, it was a simple message and it made people directly challenge their friends and family members to participate. And anyone could do it—celebrities, elected officials, children, even grandmothers participated, and most were first-time donors.

While 2014 will be known in the fundraising world as the year of the ice bucket, it showed the power of social media to engage donors and create a philanthropic movement.

Locally, connecting donors via social media hit record numbers this year as well.

George Stevens, president and CEO of the Coastal Community Foundation, says he was more surprised than anyone to learn that the 24-hour donating blitz on May 6, dubbed Lowcountry Giving Day, raised more than $2.5 million for 94 Charleston-area charities.

An additional $1.5 million was raised in incentive and matching funds before the blitz, which means the event raised a total of $4 million in a single day.

Stevens said he only expected to raise about $100,000. He said he underestimated the power of social media to drive donations and the power of young people to spread the word and start a giving trend.

The hashtag #LiftTheLowcountry had thousands of posts on popular social media sites Twitter and Facebook and many photos of people holding signs that said “I help.” A hashtag is a pound sign (#) before a word or phrase, and is a clickable link to other posts with that same tag.

Today, almost all nonprofits have a social media presence. It’s free, and it’s a way to get a message across to literally thousands of people within seconds. According to a recent study by the Case Foundation published in Nonprofit Quarterly Magazine, 97 percent of nonprofits report using social media in some fashion. Growth in social media audiences far outpaces that of email. While email list sizes grew by 14 percent in 2013, Facebook and Twitter audiences grew by 37 percent and 46 percent respectively.

Whether it’s a nonprofit or for-profit business, having a social media presence is not just important—it’s necessary.

“The face-to-face value of digital fundraising is ever increasing, and it exploded this summer,” said Katie Norris, director of devel-

Above: Owners of Coastal Kids Dental & Braces in Hanahan, Dr. Isabel Driggers and Jacob Driggers take the ice bucket challenge along with the staff.

Left: Local partners at Dixon-Hughes accounting firm in Charleston participated in the “Ice Bucket Challenge” this summer. From left to right: David Botzis, CPA, Cindy MacAulay CPA/CFF, CDFA, Robert Bradham, CPA/ABV, CVA, Chris Matthews, CPA, CFE, Paul “Kip” Hooker, Jr., CPA and Stuart Nofsinger, CPA, CVA

opment with Charleston Habitat for Human- Edstrom Worldwide, more than 2,000 digiity. “People are now looking at digital fund- tally-engaged cause-supporting adults ages 18 and older where asked what motivates them raising in a way that is unprecedented.” the most to take action. More than half the respondents said a story they read on social How social media drives media inspired them to donate. volunteers and donations McGuckin said not to forget the power of Last fall, the Charleston Habitat for Humanity ReStore needed several more volun- videos in order to get new supporters.

“If they’re not using YouTube, they need to teers to help at its donation center, and quickly found ten new volunteers after posting the be,” she said.

For organizations that respond to disasneed on Facebook.

“It was pure social media,” Norris ters, social media is the new TV news. With said. “You’re able to build your community of just a simple search following a disaster, peovolunteers and contributors in a significant way.” ple on social media around the world share Cindy McGuckin is a professor at Trident and tweet photos and first-hand accounts of Technical College’s Division of Continuing how the disaster has affected an area, often in Education teaching marketing and social me- spiring others to help or donate.

“If we respond to a home fire and tweet dia classes. “If people are comfortable with a cause—and when I say ‘comfortable’ I mean information about people currently donatthey’ve been online reading about it—they ing and helping the families in need, those on develop more of a trust with you,” McGuckin social media are able to see what’s happening said. “If they’ve spent time on your social me- instantly and are kept in that loop of what dia page, they’re more apt to donate because it we’re doing to help,” said Lisa Quick, Regional Communications Specialist with the Red feels more like a community.”

Social media’s viral-like capabilities can Cross, Palmetto SC Region.

“Unlike a newsletter, people are seeing also get new people interested in a cause. In a study entitled “Digital Persuasion: How social events unfold in a very timely manner,” Quick media motivates action and drives support,” said. “It gives them the opportunity to think from Georgetown University’s Center for So- of how they might help and make them aware cial Impact Communication and Waggener of our services and the (effort) involved.”

14 Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry

www.charlestonbusiness.com

Cover Story “Do they always immediately respond?

No, sometimes it’s a matter of getting them thinking about it; support might evolve over time,” Quick added.

Social media is also just that – social. It’s a perfect avenue for volunteers or donors to let their friends and family know that they are supporting a charitable organization. People can be influenced by their friends.

“If I’m on Facebook and see that a friend of mine likes a particular organization, I might check it out,” McGuckin said. “Also, allowing people to ‘tag’ themselves at your organization can bring more awareness of the organization to their own circle of friends.”

According to the Georgetown University study, more than half the respondents stated that they agree with the statement: “It’s important to me personally to be seen as knowledgeable about charities and causes (supported) by my friends and family.”

At the Red Cross, “We have a Flickr (photo streaming) gallery on our website that’s really popular,” Quick said. “We will have events and take a huge amount of photos to put on our website. People seem to like that, and comment on them. Facebook friends can see someone’s comment and photos.”

Stevens at Coastal Community Foundation adds that today’s younger people especially want to connect with an organization and feel socially responsible.

Social media is also convenient. People are already on their smartphones, and can be routed to a website to donate or sign up to volunteer. McGuckin said every nonprofit should have capabilities for online donations.

Text to the Red Cross remains an important fundraising tool—donations of $10 can be made instantly and the amount is added onto the phone bill.

Different needs for different pages

While the sheer number of social media outlets can seem daunting—Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, blogs, LinkedIn, Tumbler, just to name a few—the good news is that each can be tailored to fit a need.

Working across all platforms can reach a large diverse audience.

With Facebook, by far the most popular social media site for nonprofits, it’s all about making connections with people who are interacting with the page, McGuckin said.

That includes posting photos of charitable work and end results, posting questions to get people talking and using hashtags that www.charlestonbusiness.com

describe the organization. Pictures of events, upcoming events, or in the case of Charleston’s Habitat for Humanity, photos of what’s available at Habitat’s ReStore, have been very popular. The Habitat for Humanity’s Facebook page has more than 1,300 likes. Its Twitter page has more than 2,800 followers.

For immediate response, Quick said Twitter provides a shorter turnaround. “It’s quicker for us to get out a tweet or post than to send an email,” she said. “We can get the word out and post a link where people can volunteer or call; it streamlines that process and is convenient.”

People on social media are also interested in seeing how their donations and support are helping the community. They want to see what the organization is doing; photos of how donations are helping the community are a quick and easy way to do that.

Getting creative

No matter what social media outlet a nonprofit uses, constant attention and multiple postings are necessary to continue to engage social media users.

“Constantly promoting your Twitter feed is how you get people to come back to you,” McGuckin said. “All of your online activities should point someone back to another platform. Your website should tell you to go to the Facebook page, your Facebook page should tell you to go to the website.”

The study by the Case Foundation found that nonprofits surveyed post to Twitter on average five times a day.

Organizations are constantly coming up with new ways to convince people to support an organization. Some efforts include “Giving Tuesday,” a spin on “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday.” Expect social media to be buzzing on those days. Charleston Habitat for Humanity has Collegiate Challenge in winter, Women Build in the spring.

McGuckin said nonprofits can get creative by rallying around holidays with daily postings to encourage people to donate or volunteer. Other ways to reach out to the social-media community is by partnering with businesses and organizations that can blast the nonprofit’s cause out to their own followers.

A like goes a long way More than 2,000 digitally-engaged cause-

supporting adults were asked in a nationwide survey why they elect to “like” a charitable cause on Facebook.

To publicly display my support of the charity/cause to friends ................67% To follow news and updates on the charity/cause...............................55% To infl­uence my friends or family to LIKE the charity or cause..........54% A friend or family member has LIKED it...43% I want others to see that the charity/cause has a lot of followers.........41% To contribute content to the charity’s/cause’s page............................35% Source: “Digital Persuasion: How social media motivates action and drives support,” from Georgetown University’s Center for Social Impact Communication and Waggener Edstrom Worldwide.

By the numbers This is the reach Charleston-area nonprofits have when they post things to Facebook and Twitter: Charleston Animal Society 39,183 1,843 Pet Helpers animal shelter 14,945 2,349 Darkness to Light 10,067

8,189

Trident United Way 4,954

1,791

One80Place homeless shelter 3,991 1,263 Lowcountry Food Bank 3,306 2,989

Charleston Habitat for Humanity No one knows what the next big online 1,353 2,845

What’s Next?

fundraising campaign will be, but online fundraisers hope they will have the problem the Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina 575 ALS Association now has: figuring out what 1,760 to do with all that money.

•

Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry

15

Blackbaud software engineer Derek Britt volunteers his time and talent at Camp Blackbaud, a two-day product development camp the company hosts in partnership with Charleston Promise Neighborhood.

(Photo/Blackbaud)

Employee volunteering

a win-win

By Jenny Peterson

V

olunteering through a company or with fellow employees is becoming a welcomed trend in modern philanthropy. It benefits everyone involved— bosses, employees and the community.

Many employers are realizing the benefit of giving back to the community, and they foster that culture of philanthropy at the office.

While great from a public relations standpoint for a business, employees report that being encouraged to volunteer in the community through work is actually a perk of the office.

In SCBiz News’ annual list of Best Places to Work survey, employers at almost all of the winning companies identified a strong culture of volunteering as a reason why employee satisfaction was so high.

939,000 Total number of people nationwide who volunteered for a charitable organization in 2013 after being introduced to it through a boss or co-worker, a four percent increase from 2012.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

This includes a “volunteer for vacation” initiative, in which employees can earn paid time off for volunteering in the community or through helping the company’s partner charities. Many companies sponsor events where

16 Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry

employees participate in team walks for the March of Dimes, the American Heart Association or the United Way’s national charity event called Day of Caring.

Across the country, the National Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a bump in the number of volunteers who donated their time and talents because of a company where they work or through a co-worker.

While volunteering was down overall in 2013, there was a four percent increase among the number of people who said they became involved with a charitable organization primarily because of a fellow employee or boss.

Compared to 2012 figures, 36,000 more people in 2013 volunteered because of a boss or co-worker. The total number of volunteers in that category rose to 939,000 people nationwide. www.charlestonbusiness.com

Feature Story At Blackbaud in Charleston, an incredible 81 percent of their 1,100 Charleston employees report having volunteered with a nonprofit over the past year.

“We do a volunteer study every few years,” said Rachel Hutchisson, Blackbaud’s Director of Corporate Citizenship and Philanthropy.

“It’s fundamentally important; giving back is a huge part of who we are.”

The technology firm makes software for nonprofits to track spending and donor giving.

“When someone works at Blackbaud, they are closely tied to that feeling of service,” Hutchisson said.

Employees are Blackbaud are encouraged to volunteer in the community, and there is a “volunteer for vacation” policy.

It’s also fun for employees because entire departments, working in teams, often volunteer together for a greater good, whether it’s building a Habitat for Humanity house or organizing other volunteering projects, Hutchinsson said.

“It provides ways to meet different people, and it gets us close in contact with a mission,” she said. There are also a number of Blackbaud employees who sit on boards for nonprofit organizations and Blackbaud even hosts in-house seminars to let employees know about the responsibilities of sitting on a board.

At the Jackson Lewis legal firm in Greenville, every month employees are encouraged to propose a charity based on something that is personally significant. Money is raised through activities such as casual dress days, bake sales and raffles; it empoweres employees to determine which causes to support.

Hutchisson said in order to have a successful employee volunteering program in the workplace, it’s important to be diligent. Survey employee-volunteers each year and try to find good data on the community impact from those efforts, she advises, and then report it company-wide. “It has to be a serious priority of the company,” she said.

How to get started

The Lowcountry isn’t lacking when it comes to important nonprofit organizations that do good work and need volunteers.

“There are hundreds of projects and great causes in the community,” said Charlotte Anderson, director of 2-1-1 services for Trident United Way. The largest single day of volunteering comes each year at the United Way’s Day of www.charlestonbusiness.com

Donating professional skills and experience can be rewarding

G

Mike Gianoni, President & CEO of Blackbaud; Mary Beth Westmoreland, Vice President, Engineering help out at East Cooper Habitat for Humanity

Caring held each fall. The 2013 event brought out 9,000 people across three counties, with many groups of volunteers from companies Volunteers, wearing matching T-shirts for the cause, do a variety of projects such as painting rooms, repairing fences and building playgrounds all day during a week day.

The United Way coordinates companies with volunteer organizations year-round.

People are encouraged to call the 2-1-1 hotline and speak to a volunteer coordinator who can help select the best match.

“We talk about whether they have an identified passion or particular skill or interest to narrow the search,” Anderson said. “We can look up projects needing skilled volunteers in our database.”

Opportunities can range from employees tutoring students to volunteering at a local food bank.

More volunteer opportunities can be found online at www.tuw.org.

Anderson said another useful resource is the United Way’s Corporate Volunteer Council, a networking association that meets quarterly to talk specifically about how companies can get more involved with nonprofits.

“It’s also great networking,” Anderson said. “It’s a lunch series where you learn what’s possible from a speaker and also hear from the other people in the room who are saying, ‘This is what we did last month, and the employees loved it.’”

•

ilman Sullivan, formerly with the U.S. Navy, donates his time to help returning service men and women develop skills to land a job in the private sector. For the last six years, the Practice Manager in Strategic Services at Blackbaud has taught an interactive workshop for those entering the civilian workforce.

“They’ve been in harm’s way and yet they consider the job interview a scary activity,” Sullivan said. “The workshop provides them with the tools to prepare a resume, use effective interview skills, etc. It is truly an honor to work with the ex-service men and women. Seeing them leave feeling more comfortable and confident in their ability to secure a job makes it very fulfilling.”

Sullivan is part of a growing number of people in Charleston who are choosing to donate professional skills and experience to help others.

Known in the legal world as “pro bono,” this type of giving back with professional skills runs deep among Charleston’s business professionals. They have skills many nonprofits can utilize, such as reviewing business plans and creating marketing strategies and materials.

“We have a team of professionals who have skill sets (ideal) for nonprofits,” said Charlotte Anderson, director of 2-1-1 services with the Trident United Way, which connects members of the community to volunteering opportunities.

“They have marketing skills, data analysis, etc.”

Not all training involves business skills.

Bernard Kelly, a former Olympic boxer, runs the nonprofit North Charleston Academy of Boxing, teaching kids in the community personal discipline, sportsmanship and athleticism through boxing training. Grants help make equipment and traveling to competitions affordable. Kelly said being able to pass along the training to kids from the community is rewarding.

“Boxing did a lot for me,” Kelly said. “I knew what it would do for these kids.”

Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry

17

BRANDING

Successful branding can help nonprofits do a ‘180’

By George Stevens

E

verybody is branded these days.

Personal brands are hip. Corporate brands are expensively vetted, nonprofit brands often neglected. The names in my Rolodex are just memory-evading combinations of syllables and tongue movements… until they are not. The challenge is to make your business, be it nonprofit or for profit, memorable.

The branding tools at hand are exceptional service, a really great product, and creating a story that moves people to action. Let’s assume you have great service (if not, why not?) and a great product (ditto). How do you build a powerful story in two words or less?

Sometimes you borrow a story. Take Uber for example. The word comes from the German prefix über or “over” as in übermensch.

Its English usage grew through the early part of the 20th century and then exploded once it became part of the hipster lexicon. It adds emphasis to the supremacy of some foods, celebrities, or you-name-it. People who used the word uber were uber-cool. Then along came a taxi company and you know the rest of the story. If hip people are using Uber (the company) then I should too or so goes the storyline.

And then there is Radio Shack. I feel sorry for them. They have tried to be hip but they can’t get past the resisters, capacitors, and various other geeky inventory they still sell. They have attempted to rebrand themselves as “The Shack” but it is not going well.

The story of Radio Shack conjures up images of ham radio operators and 1950’s era garagebased start-ups. That was cool, once, but no longer. Nobody builds a smart phone in their garage.

Watching Radio Shack struggle makes it all the more amazing what Crisis Ministries, a venerable nonprofit serving the homeless in the Lowcounty, has done with far more limited resources. They have sidestepped a story about a 1960’s era approach to homeless in

One80Place got a successful new rebranding this year.

one deft move. They are now One80 Place.

Paul Kohlheim, the Chair of their Board and winner last year’s of AFP’s Philanthropist of the Year Award, was instrumental in getting the rebranding done. Paul, along with the staff and Board spent months working on the rebranding effort. Some months ago Paul came to my office for a meeting whose purpose he would not reveal. He took a deep breath and started with, “We have made a difficult decision.” I braced for the worst; thinking at we were losing his talents in the community, but no, he continued. “We have decided to change the name of Crisis Ministries.” Later I found out that Paul and Stacey Denaux the CEO of Crisis Ministries had more than two dozen of these one-on-one meetings around town. They wanted to get it right and wanted to get the first reactions of their stakeholders.

For years the name Crisis Ministries forced staff and volunteers to explain what they were not. They were not a church. Even the people who they served did not like the name. How would you like to be reminded each day that you are in crisis? Moreover, their name also did not reveal the breadth of what they do. In the 70’s they did solve an

18 Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry

immediate crisis by providing a bed. Now they do much more. They turn lives around as in “doing a 180” by providing educational opportunities, healthcare services, legal assistance, as well as inspiration.

Once you see the billboards designed by the local marketing firm Hook you might think: uber-cool. Good design makes it look easy. But, if you think it was easy you would be wrong. Hundreds of hours of volunteer time went into that branding change. Radio Shack should take notice. For service organizations, and nonprofits in particular, our story is all we have. We are only as good as the story told by our name.

•

George Stevens is president and Coastal Community Foundation www.charlestonbusiness.com

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

Mission statement To support the development of vibrant, sustainable communities by providing loans, technical assistance and advocacy for affordable housing, healthy food retail, community facilities and community businesses.

Name of your organization: South Carolina Community Loan Fund (SCCLF) Year established locally: 2004 Top local executive: Michelle Mapp Contact information: Address: 1535 Hobby Street, Suite 209, North Charleston, SC 29405 Phone: (843) 973-7285 Fax: (843) 973-3598 Website: www.sccommunityloanfund.org Corporate giving contact: Michelle Mapp, executive director Address: 1535 Hobby Street, Suite 209, North Charleston, SC 29405 Phone: (843) 973-7285 E-mail: michelle@sccommunityloanfund.org Average number of volunteers in 2014: 31 Total operating budget (2014-2015): $895,959 Percent of revenue dedicated to program services: 89% Geographic area or specific population served: SCCLF provides loans to nonprofit, for profit and government agencies working to revitalize and transform South Carolina by financing projects that: 1) provide affordable housing; 2) create access to food and essential services; 3) increase the quality and availability of neighborhood facilities; 4) create employment opportunities; 5) attract additional investment; and 6) strengthen the social and economic fabric of the community.

Greatest need: Impact Investments! Impact investments made into SCCLF generate a measurable, beneficial social and environmental impact alongside a financial return. Investments with us are socially and fiscally responsible, are invested wisely and offer SC accredited investors a return of 2%. Investments require a minimum investment of $25,000 and have a minimum term of five years.

Our investments come from financial institutions, foundations, religious institutions, government entities, businesses, and individuals seeking to make a positive social impact in our local community.

www.charlestonbusiness.com

2014 Top achievements: • Changed the name of the organization from the Lowcountry Housing Trust to the South Carolina Community Loan Fund to better represent our expanded mission and geographic service area.

• Transitioned to a statewide organization with the expansion of our services to the entire state of South Carolina.

• Provided 11 loans for $2.3 million in financing that facilitated more than $17.3 million in community development projects; we financed 20 housing units, 1 healthy food outlet, 3 community facilities, and 2 community businesses, creating or retaining 78 jobs and providing a safe, affordable place to call home for 50 individuals and families.

• Secured $4,284,000 in new equity and debt capital to finance community development projects throughout SC. 2015 Goals: • Renewal of the South Carolina Community Economic Development Act and extension of the South Carolina Community Development Tax Credit, a unique tool that catalyzes private capital to transform and revitalize underserved communities from the inside out.

• Provide $4 million in loans to non-profit organizations and for profit businesses that face insurmountable odds in acquiring capital from traditional funding sources.

Fundraising events: • 2015 Tri-County Housing Summit • 2015 South Carolina Food Access Summit • 10th Anniversary Gala Corporate giving opportunities: We accept donations, stock transfers and in-kind gifts.

Donate: From the first-time homebuyer to the entrepreneur starting their own business, to the senior citizen who has access to food and essential services, your support and donations help to transform lives and build strong communities.

For more information on how to support us, please visit www. sccommunityloanfund.org. All contributions and investments to SCCLF may qualify for a 33% S.C. Community Development Tax Credit. For more information, consult your financial advisor and review S.C. Schedule 14.

Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry 21

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

Mission statement The mission of Water Missions International is to be a best-in-class Christian Engineering Ministry that transforms lives through sustainable safe water solutions.

Name of your organization: Water Missions International Year established locally: 2001 Top local executive: George C. Greene, III: Chief Executive Officer, Founder Contact information: Address: 1150 Kinzer Street, Building 1605, North Charleston, SC 29405 Phone: 843-769-7395 Fax: 843-763-6082 Website: www.watermissions.org Corporate giving contact: Rogers Hook, Vice President of Volunteer and Investor Partnerships Address: 1150 Kinzer Street, Building 1605, North Charleston, SC 29405 Phone: 843-769-7395 E-mail: rhook@watermissions.org Average number of volunteers in 2014: 400 Total operating budget (2014-2015): $12,386, 774 Percent of revenue dedicated to program services: 81% For the eighth consecutive year, Water Missions International has received Charity Navigator’s highest four-star rating, a distinction less than 2% of non-profit organizations in the United States can claim.

Geographic area or specific population served: Although based in North Charleston, S.C., Water Missions International (WMI) has served more than 50 countries since its inception in 2001. WMI has full-time staff members located in ten countries: Mexico, Honduras, Belize, Haiti, Peru, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Indonesia.

Greatest need: Hundreds of millions of people struggle daily without access to safe water, and 2.5 billion people lack adequate sanitation. The impact of diarrheal disease on children is greater than the combined impact of human HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, which is why it is the second leading cause of death among children under five. Because we respond to communities in need and disaster situations around the world, donations to our “Where Most Needed” fund allows Water Missions International to utilize your gift towards the area that will generate the most impact.

safe water for refugees in South Sudan and in response to a Cholera outbreak in Uganda. Most recently, WMI initiated disaster relief efforts in Liberia in response to the needs for safe water associated with the Ebola outbreak. Two staff members traveled to Liberia to work with partners on the ground on installing water treatment equipment that will provide safe water for up to 100,000 people.

2015 Goals: In 2015, Water Missions International will be working with approximately 400 safe water projects around the world. This includes projects in Cambodia, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, Peru, Tanzania, Uganda, El Salvador, Guatemala, Zambia, and Nicaragua.

In addition, Water Missions International expects to complete over 1000 household and community sanitation projects in Haiti, Honduras, Mexico and Peru.

Fundraising events: Water Missions International will be hosting its 9th Annual Walk for Water at Cannon Park in downtown Charleston on Saturday, March 21, 2015. Funds raised during this event support safe water community development projects around the world.

Corporate giving opportunities: Water Missions International relies heavily on the support of local businesses and organizations. Sponsors receive many benefits and perks for supporting the Walk. These include but are not limited to: logo and/or brand recognition on t-shirts, print, web and more; booth space on the day of the event; social media attention; and a variety of other areas of recognition. There are several different sponsorship levels available. To learn more about the Walk for Water sponsorship opportunities, please email walk@watermissions.org. Water Missions International is also interested in developing strategic partnerships with local corporations. To learn more about current partnerships and how you can get involved, visit http://www.watermissions.org/strategicrelationships.

Sponsored by

2014 Top achievements: Over 120 communities around the world received safe water for the first time this year through the efforts of WMI. WMI participated in several major disaster relief initiatives in 2014. Beginning in November 2013, WMI provided safe water for over 130,000 people in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. These efforts have become one of WMI’s largest disaster responses in its 13-year history. WMI also provided www.charlestonbusiness.com

Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry 23

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

Mission statement We educate and advocate so that women in SC have economic success and are leaders in their professional, community and personal lives.

Name of your organization: Center for Women (Lowcountry Women With Wings is a program of the Center for Women) Year established locally: 1990 Top local executive: Amy Brennan, executive director Contact information: Address: 129 Cannon Street Phone: 843-763-7333 Website: www.c4women.org/lwww Corporate giving contact: Name: Amy Brennan Address/phone: same as above E-mail: amy@c4women.org Average number of volunteers in 2014: 100 Total operating budget (2014-2015): $560,000 Percent of revenue dedicated to program services: 30% Geographic area or specific population served: LWWW creates awareness about women’s health issues – in particular, gynecological cancers. We serve women and their families in the Charleston regional community, primarily, through LWWW. We also have a presence in Greenville and Columbia through other program areas.

Greatest need: With the success of programs and events in 2014, in 2015, we need to add staff to manage the LWWW program. The need to reach more and more people and healthcare institutions through workshops and events is vital to helping save lives.

2014 Top achievements: • The Center for Women announced new messaging and strategies as a result of a 5-month planning process. We announced three program areas, a new logo and revised mission statement to reflect our work.

• For Lowcountry Women With Wings, we had an extremely successful year in raising awareness of women’s health issues. Through our partnerships with the Beard and Moustache Society we participated in an event in May that raised money for supplies and awareness materials.

• In September, we participated in the national Turn The Towns Teal initiative where we organized 7 communities in the Charleston regional area in the month-long awareness program. More than 100 volunteers hung teal ribbons, banners and distributed teal wristbands and symptom cards to increase awareness about ovarian and uterine cancer.

• Also in September, we hosted our first annual LWWW fundraising and awareness event, N.E.D. Movie Premiere, and developed a local video www.charlestonbusiness.com

where survivors shared their stories about living with gynecological cancer.

• We have begun partnerships with area cancer centers in local hospitals, other like-minded nonprofits and have established relationships with people in other SC cities where the need is great to increase awareness.

• With the formation and development of an Advisory Committee, we have harnessed the energy of volunteers to take the message into the community.

2015 Goals: • Hire a Program Manager for LWWW. • Maintain our involvement in special events while growing to include workshops with other nonprofits, educational institutions, and in other areas of the state.

• Organize a speaker’s bureau to utilize volunteers and survivors.

• More directly involve the larger Center for Women membership in various events and activities to reach a larger population of women.

Lowcountry Women With Wings 2015 Event Schedule: May – Annual Beard and Moustache Society’s Contest Charleston, SC September – Major Annual Event to increase awareness (TBD) Charleston, SC Other Center for Women 2015 Events: Annual Women’s Conference (February 26, 2015) Town and Country Inn and Suites, Charleston, SC Annual Women’s Business Luncheon to benefit the SC Women’s Business Center (April, 2015) Greenville, SC Annual Giving Day (May 5, 2015) Online giving event Be Brave Brunch (August, 2015) Charleston Annual Networking Event (November, 2015) Charleston Corporate giving opportunities: Corporate giving opportunities exist on a number of levels from event sponsorships to annual sponsorships (including monthly events that educate attendees about health issues). The Center for Women and its programs, rely on donations and contributions to fund 10% of program needs.

Sponsored by

Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry 25

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

Mission statement Helping people achieve their full potential through the dignity and power of work Name of your organization: Goodwill Industries of Lower South Carolina, Inc. Year established locally: 1979 Top local executive: Robert Smith, President & CEO

vices that lead to a better quality of life.

• Goodwill distributed 7,143 free clothing vouchers valued at $250,000 to people in need in our community during 2013 and we are on pace to exceed that number for 2014.

Contact information: Address: 2150 Eagle Drive, Bldg. 100 Phone: 843-566-0072 Fax: 888-692-0573 Website: www.palmettogoodwill.org Corporate giving contact: Name: Tina Marshall, Community Relations Officer Address: 2150 Eagle Drive, Bldg. 100 Phone: 843-377-2811 E-mail: tmarshall@palmettogoodwill.org

2015 Goals: • Job Creation: Increase the number of people Goodwill is able to place into new jobs in the community by 25%. To accomplish this we hope to develop new partnerships with local businesses where we can support their hiring needs by connecting them with qualified and well trained job seekers.

• Mission Services: Expand mission services to help create opportunities for people to enhance their lives through training, workforce development services and collaboration with other community organizations.

Average number of volunteers in 2014: 560 Total operating budget (2014-2015): $51.5 million Percent of revenue dedicated to program services: 90% of the revenue earned through the sale of donated goods is given back into the community in the form of job training programs and employment services.

Geographic area or specific population served: Goodwill is chartered through Goodwill Industries International to serve 18 counties in South Carolina including Beaufort, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Jasper, Lee, Marion, Orangeburg, Sumter and Williamsburg. We currently operate 29 retail stores and 15 Job Link Centers serving people with disabilities, homeless and/or struggling veterans, displaced workers and others seeking employment in 10 counties in S.C. Greatest need: Our greatest need is donations of gently used clothing, household items, books, computers and small appliances which are vital to our ability to help people gain employment in our community.

2014 Top achievements: • By the close of 2014, projections show that Goodwill will have provided employment services and job training opportunities to more than 60,000 people in our community.

• Goodwill has plans to open its second store during the 4th quarter of 2014 in Georgetown County, creating 15 to 20 new jobs.

• In 2014, Palmetto Goodwill partnered with the America’s Warrior Project to launch a new program for veterans. The Palmetto Warrior Connection is a program designed to connect veterans and their families with serwww.charlestonbusiness.com

Fundraising events: Second Time Around Fashion Show, April, 2015 Shining Stars Awards Banquet-Charleston, May 2015 will be held at TTC Culinary Arts Center Shining Stars Awards Banquet-Myrtle Beach, June 2015 will be held at the Marina Inn at Grand Dunes A Night at the Theatre with Goodwill, October 2015 will be held at The Historic Dock Street Theatre Corporate giving opportunities: Whether you attend a Goodwill event or sponsor a table at an event, you are supporting employment programs for people with disabilities, veteran and community homeless, displaced workers, seniors and single parents that live in our community. Below are a few specific opportunities for sponsorships or donations.

Seniors: Support a local disadvantaged senior during the holidays with a $25 donation to Goodwill’s Golden Angel Tree program. Seniors receive beautiful gift bags filled with warm weather items, personal hygiene essentials, fun items such as puzzle books and, a hearty “soup package” that includes soup, crackers, peanut butter & applesauce.

Donation Drives: Corporate and school donation drives can be scheduled on any date. Goodwill provides donation bins and materials to help promote the drive within your business or school. Contact us for information regarding the Donate WHY project for schools that includes a full curriculum on responsible recycling and keeping the environment safe Sponsored by

Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry 27

Our ACTIONs speak louder than words.

At Alcoa Mt. Holly, giving back to the community is part of our core values.

Through the Alcoa ACTION (Alcoans Coming Together in our Neighborhoods) initiative, teams of Alcoa employee volunteers earn Alcoa Foundation grants of up to $3,000 for the community organizations where they volunteer. And each October Mt. Holly employees join thousands of coworkers from around the globe to celebrate the Worldwide Month of Service, rallying the volunteer spirit to complete community projects and earn ACTION grants for area organizations. Last year Alcoa employees completed 20 community projects during the 2012 Month of Service alone.

Our 600+ employees live our values each day individually — as volunteer firefighters, PTA presidents, and little league coaches — as well as collectively through the group volunteer projects they complete.

Thanks to their passion, and ACTIONS, Alcoa is making our community a better place.

alcoa.com

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

Mission statement The South Carolina Aquarium is leading the way to connect people with water, wildlife and wild places.

Name of your organization: South Carolina Aquarium Year established locally: 2000 Top local executive: Kevin Mills, President & CEO

• Support of the Sea Turtle Hospital expansion, which will bring an important conservation message and inspiring story to all of our annual visitors (435,000+) • Support of the growth of our award-winning education programs so that we can reach more students and teachers throughout the state of South Carolina

Contact information: 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, SC 29401 843-577-FISH (3474) 843-720-3861 Website: www.scaquarium.org Corporate giving contact: Name: Maggie Hendricks, Corporate Relations Manager Address: 100 Aquarium Wharf Charleston, SC 29401 Phone: 843-579-8627 Email: mhendricks@scaquarium.org

2014 Top achievements: The design and successful launch of a fiveyear plan for multi-program growth in collaboration with our community 2015 Goals: The launch of a successful 15th anniversary year marked by the opening of a milestone exhibit, Shark Shallows, and breaking ground on the Sea Turtle Hospital expansion project.

Fundraising events: Sea Life by Starlight at the South Carolina Aquarium (Dec. 6, 2014)

Average number of volunteers in 2014: 350 Total operating budget (2014-2015): $10,241,624.00 Percent of revenue dedicated to program services: 70%

15th Anniversary Conservation Gala at the South Carolina Aquarium (April 24, 2015)

Geographic area or specific population served: The South Carolina Aquarium is a statewide organization serving people of all ages from every county of South Carolina. Half of our 435,000+ annual visitors are from South Carolina, 25 percent of whom are from the tri-county area (Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester counties).

Greatest need: The greatest need of the Aquarium is community investment in our conservation and education programs most notably:

Corporate giving opportunities: The South Carolina Aquarium is fortunate to have many corporate giving opportunities. These opportunities include those making a permanent investment in our programs as well as highly visible corporate sponsorship opportunities that are associated with new exhibits and capital projects. Corporate benefits and visibility correspond with levels of giving from $5,000 to $500,000 and include access for all employees, company name and logo recognition and venue access.

Sponsored by

www.charlestonbusiness.com

Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry 29

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

Mission statement The mission of the Lowcountry Food Bank is to lead the fight against hunger in our community.

Name of your organization: Lowcountry Food Bank Year established locally: 1983 Top local executive: Pat Walker, President and CEO Contact information: Address: 2864 Azalea Drive, Charleston, SC 29405 Phone: 843-747-8146 Fax: 843-747-8147 Website: www.lowcountryfoodbank.org Corporate giving contact: Name: Miriam Langley, VP of Development and Communications Address: 2864 Azalea Drive, Charleston, SC 29405 Phone: 843-747-8146 E-mail: mlangley@lcfbank.org Average number of volunteers in 2014: 5,000 Total operating budget (2014-2015): $5.9 million Percent of revenue dedicated to program services: 96% Geographic area or specific population served: Berkeley, Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, and Williamsburg Counties Greatest need: Families across the community increasingly struggle between purchasing food or paying utility bills, medical costs, or other life necessities; now more than ever, we need the grassroots support of our community to ensure that every child, family, and senior citizen has the nutrition needed to lead healthy, productive lives. Financial and food donations, and advocacy on behalf of our clients, empower the Food Bank each day in fulfilling our mission. Volunteers are also vital to feeding those who experience hunger in our community; each year, we depend on more than 26,000 service hours, provided by over 5,000 volunteers.

2014 Top achievements: • Through the Zucker Family Production Kitchen, the LCFB served nearly 150,000 meals to children and seniors in our community.

• The School Pantry Program increased by 160%, serving 26 schools, 9 counties, and more than 1,180 children and their families.

• The BackPack Buddies Program served a record 3,100 children per week.

• In 2014, 20% (5 million pounds) of the LCFB’s total food distribution will be fresh produce through partnerships including local farmers, Limehouse Produce, GrowFood Carolina and Lowcounty Local First.

• The LCFB distributed 2,175 monthly food boxes to seniors in need.

• The LCFB distributed over 21.5 million pounds of emergency food to www.charlestonbusiness.com

children, adults, and seniors facing hunger in the community.

• The LCFB piloted a highly successful “farmers’ market”-style mobile pantry distribution called Fresh for All. The 26 Fresh for All distributions provided 5,290 families with 291,783 pounds of healthy foods including over 250,000 pounds of fresh produce.

• The LCFB celebrated 31 years of service thanks to community support.

2015 Goals: • The LCFB will continue to enhance training, professional development and capacity-building opportunities for its network of nearly 300 partner food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and schools. Our goal is to provide the food resources, knowledge and tools necessary for partners to create sustainable hunger solutions.

• The LCFB will continue to examine how to use limited resources to make the largest impact on hunger and expand existing programs and initiatives that meet target hunger needs.

• The LCFB will continue to increase healthy food distribution, including the distribution of fresh produce.

Fundraising events: Chefs’ Feast (February 22, 2015) Join Chef Robert Carter and the Lowcountry’s most acclaimed chefs at the 16th annual Chefs’ Feast. Indulge in delectable fare from more than two dozen top Lowcountry restaurants while enjoying live jazz music and cocktails. Proceeds benefit the Lowcountry Food Bank’s Kids Cafe, Backpack Buddies, School Pantry, and Summer Feeding programs. Visit www.lowcountryfoodbank.org/chefsfeast for updates on participating chefs and entertainment.

The Farmer’s Table (Fall 2015) The Lowcountry Food Bank invites you to connect with talented farmers, food artisans, and chefs that contribute to the growing culinary reputation and local food community of Beaufort. The all-local feast, prepared by Beaufort’s most talented chefs, kicks off with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails under the oak at LeChene Circle. Visit www. lowcountryfoodbank.org/farmerstable for updates on participating chefs and entertainment.

Corporate giving opportunities: • Sponsor a local BackPack Buddies Program at a high need school • Sponsor a local School Pantry Program at a high need school • Sponsor a mobile pantry holiday distribution • Sponsor a truckload of fresh, regional produce • Sponsor a Fresh for All distribution • Sponsor a truckload of holiday turkeys • Sponsor fuel for a LCFB truck for an entire year

Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry 31

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

Mission statement The mission of the Gaillard Performance Hall Foundation is to support the renovation and transformation of the former Gaillard Auditorium into the new Charleston Gaillard Center through private donations to match public funds and generous gifts. The Center will be home to Charleston’s new world-class performance hall, a new state-of-the-art exhibition hall, Gaillard Park and gardens and municipal offices for the City of Charleston.

Name of your organization: Gaillard Performance Hall Foundation Year established locally: 2010 Top local executive: Dr. Renee Anderson, Vice Chairman of the Board Doerte McManus, Executive Director

2014 Top achievements: The community excitement to see the building design emerge; significant momentum and giving from Charleston’s residents, corporate community and well beyond; and the development of important partnerships with two resident companies of the new Gaillard Center –the Charleston Concert Association and Spoleto Festival USA. 2015 Goals: To continue introducing the community to the new Gaillard Center; to continue raising significant funds toward our $71 million goal; to continue a successful Seat Naming Campaign; AND to open the new Center in Spring of 2015 with individuals, businesses and corporations enthusiastically participating and supporting their Gaillard.

Contact information: Address: 40 Calhoun Street, Suite 230, Charleston, SC 29401 Phone: 843-718-1578 Fax: 843-718-1865 Website: www.gaillardfoundation.org; www.yourgaillard.com Corporate giving contact: Name: Ann Belden Read, Major Gifts and Campaign Director Address/phone: Same as above E-mail: aread@gaillardfoundation.org Average number of volunteers in 2014: 27 Total operating budget (2014-2015): $ 672,000 Percent of revenue dedicated to program services: 100% of all charitable contributions are applied to the building project.

Fundraising events: Opening Gala (April 17th, 2015) followed by a celebratory week of performances and festivities that will offer programming of interest to the entire community of adults and children, showcasing local arts groups and ensuring entertainment of everything from classical music to pop, jazz to gospel, children’s programs to comedy theatre and much more!

Hard Hat Tours, Seat Campaign and other festive events to be announced.

Please visit us at www.gaillardfoundation.org.

Geographic area or specific population served: Charleston, South Carolina; Tri-county area—Charleston, Berkeley, & Dorchester Counties; Southeastern United States; national and international visitors, artists and performers.

Greatest need: The greatest need of the Gaillard Performance Hall Foundation and new Gaillard Center is your investment in this project. The Center is for you and all the citizens of the Lowcountry, especially the children! Its design and programming ensure it is a true community resource, both culturally and economically. It will stand as an iconic cornerstone of venues on the peninsula, whether for world-class performing arts, arts education for children, festivals, weddings, conventions, diverse entertainment opportunities, and business and corporate enterprise. Please join us in this incredible moment in Charleston’s cultural history!

Corporate giving opportunities: Appropriate and extraordinary opportunities exist for businesses and corporations to have an impact with support to the new Center. Whether from philanthropic and/or marketing dollars, naming and sponsorship opportunities with high visibility exist that enable a company to demonstrate its support for the project. From seat-naming opportunities, to dedicating a beautiful space or decorative element within the Center, to naming the Exhibition Center or Grand Lobby, a conference room, a portico or the terrace, even beautiful garden areas, companies will find meaningful opportunities that represent their community spirit. We love to meet with every company interested in the Gaillard and introduce them to the many options available. In addition, the new Gaillard Center will present performances and educational programming that would enable a business or corporation to invest with the benefit of marketing and sponsorship recognition and visibility.

Sponsored by

www.charlestonbusiness.com

Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry 33

34 Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry

www.charlestonbusiness.com

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

Mission statement To strengthen families by providing support, education and resources through a whole family approach utilizing evidence-based programs and practices.

Name of your organization: FamilyCorps (legal name is Parents Anonymous® of South Carolina Inc.) Year established locally: 1978 Top local executive: Lisa Potts Kirchner – Chief Executive Officer Contact information: Address: 1285 Avenue G North Charleston, SC 29405 Phone: 843-747-0480 Fax: 843-747-0890 Website: www.Family-Corps.org Corporate giving contact: Name: Amanda Netsch, Program & Outreach Director Address: 1285 Avenue G North Charleston, SC 29405 Phone: 843-747-0480 E-mail: amanda@family-corps.org Average number of volunteers in 2014: The majority of our work requires several hours of training therefore we mainly utilize contract workers. However, in 2014 we had an average of 50 volunteers give their time to FamilyCorps across the state.

Total operating budget (2014-2015): $450,295.00 Percent of revenue dedicated to program services: 88% Geographic area or specific population served: FamilyCorps serves any type of parent and caregiver and their family statewide in South Carolina.

care when they first started attending programming were reunited with their family within a year and 0% of families have had further DSS involvement one year later.

• Renee Mills, a parent leader from Summerville, SC, was nominated to serve on the National Parent Leadership team led by the International Parents Anonymous® office in California.

2015 Goals: • In connection with several partners in Charleston County, be the lead organization for a youth diversion program where youth and their family would participate in community-based programming instead of being charged with a status offense (truancy, disrupting school underage drinking, etc) and become involved with the Juvenile Justice System.

• To improve our outreach and marketing materials in order to reach more families across the state and build awareness of FamilyCorps .

Fundraising events: Shuckin ‘N’ Shaggin for a Cause - Oyster Roast & BBQ (Nov. 15, 2014) Isle of Palms Exchange Club. $30 per person and include oysters, BBQ dinner, beer and wine, live music by Shem Creek Boogie Band and a silent auction. Kids 12 and under are free! Tickets can be purchased on our website or at the door. Event proceeds will be used to sustain 11 parenting programs in the tri-county area to bring parenting education and support to families towards peace, wealth and health.

Greatest need: Increased financial support for evidence-based family strengthening skill-building programs around the state. A large portion of our budget comes through a contract FamilyCorps has with SC Department of Social Services, however they only reimburse 75% of expenses; the organization is required to make up the difference through grants, fundraising and corporate support.

April Dress Down Day Campaign. Schools and businesses select a day in April to host a dress down day campaign in support of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Employees and/or students donate money to dress down on the date selected and receive a sticker to wear on that day to show their support for the cause. All of the dollars raised from each campaign go towards family strengthening programming in their area to support prevention of child abuse and neglect.

2014 Top achievements: • FamilyCorps was awarded one of the 10 partnership grants from Children’s Trust of SC to facilitate the Strengthening Families Program to families who have children ages 6-11 in the tri-county area (Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester).

• A new survey tool facilitated in Charleston County concluded that all of the families served by FamilyCorps whose child was placed in foster

Corporate giving opportunities: • Corporate partnership opportunities available upon request • Board of Directors positions • Shuckin ‘N’ Shaggin for a Cause Oyster Roast – sponsorship opportunities ranging from $500-$7,500 • Host a Dress Down Day in April in support of National Child Abuse Prevention Month

www.charlestonbusiness.com

Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry 35

36 Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry

www.charlestonbusiness.com

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

Mission statement The primary mission of the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy is to provide care and counseling for employees and families of first responders, as well as the general public; assist the Coroner in notifying individuals who have lost a family member in an unexpected manner; assist the Mobile Crisis Unit and SWAT teams in hostage negotiations and other local emergency situations; and to provide follow-up visitations in the home or in the hospital for victims of crimes and their families.

Name of your organization: Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy Year established locally: 1991 Top local executive: Founder and Senior Chaplain Rob Dewey Contact information: Mailing Address: P.O. Box 21833, Charleston, SC 29413 Physical Address: 2500 City Hall Ln, North Charleston, SC 29405 Phone: 843-724-1212 Fax: 843-724-1213 Website: CoastalCrisisChaplain.org Corporate giving contact: Name: Barbie Schreiner, Director of Fundraising Address: P.O. Box 21833, Charleston, SC 29413 Phone: 843-724-1212 Email: Barbie@CoastalCrisisChaplain.org Average number of volunteers in 2014: 54 Total operating budget (2014-2015): $374,251 Percent of revenue dedicated to program services: 72% Geographic area or specific population served: Charleston County Dorchester County Berkeley County Colleton County Greatest need: Financial, Volunteer 2014 Top achievements: • Provided service to 38 agencies in Lowcountry • Maintained a robust team of 19 volunteer Chaplains • 8 Chaplains attended International Conference of Police Chaplains • Chaplain Dewey Taught Pastoral Crisis Intervention Seminar to 35 community members • Responded to over 1,400 incidents in the Lowcountry • 14 Chaplains formally recognized for their efforts by Charleston County Council

www.charlestonbusiness.com

2015 Goals: Because disasters and tragedies by definition are not predictable, the mission of the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy is continual, and the Chaplaincy never wants to turn away someone in need. With the Lowcountry’s ever-growing population, the needs of the community are always increasing. There will always be a need for the mental and spiritual care of our First Responders and the community when it suffers a tragic loss. Unfortunately with a larger population there will be more traffic fatalities, suicides, and the number of crimes will rise. Our Chaplains are committed to responding to every call every time and will continue to do so.

Fundraising events: Oyster Roast (February 2015) - Follow us on Facebook for updated information.

Pastoral Crisis Intervention Seminar (March 11-13, 2015) - Register at CoastalCrisisChaplain.org Cooper River Bridge Run (March 28, 2015) - Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy provides the invocation at the beginning of the race and is one of the organizations benefitting from the sale of Charity Bibs.

Corporate giving opportunities: Monthly Chaplaincy Breakfasts - First Wednesday of each month at 7:30am at Ms. Roses Fine Food & Cocktails. 2015 sponsorships are $500 per breakfast. The Chaplaincy teaches the following courses to help businesses develop trauma sensitive business continuity plans: • Finding Balance: Promoting resiliency in your workforce • Corporate Response: Workplace injury & death notification, employee and companywide grief management • Planning For The Unimaginable: Workplace violence, critical incident and trauma situations • Psychological First Aid- Identification and prevention of suicides and Post Traumatic Stress Disorders.

All courses aim to provide corporations intervention and retention practices for members of their workforce. Fees and courses are customized for each organization based on desired outcomes.

Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry 37

Helping out

Asset Management & Consulting Services Inc. employees worked together during Women Build week.

Employees at Asset Management & Consulting Service worked on a roof during the Charles- Employees at Boeing pitched in during Charleston’s Habitat for Humanity ton Habitat for Humanity Women’s Build Week in May. Women Build Week.

Helping Hands The philanthropic spirit runs deep in the Lowcountry. Whether it’s helping community organizations build houses, gather food items for needy families or helping beautify area parks and green spaces, the tricounty nonprofit community of hard working, dedicated and caring volunteers is constantly busy.

All throughout the year, volunteers of all ages, and in all kinds of weather, work with various organizations in many capacities, whether its education, health, animal care, or just making the Lowcountry a better place to live. In 2013, there were 9,400 volunteers working through the Trident United Way. Through its 2-1-1 hotline and its community volunteer advocacy, Trident United Way connects volunteers with roughly 200 nonprofits. Coordinators can point you in the right direction to what would be a good fit for your particular skills. We encourage you to go out and make a difference in your world.

38 Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry

www.charlestonbusiness.com

Helping out

The nonprofit Charleston Parks Conservancy utilizes volunteers to build community gardens and grow crops to donate to local food banks. Pictured here are volunteer “Park Angels,” after a harvest.

Volunteers, or “Park Angels,” as they are known, work together to build garden bed in the Avondale area in West Ashley. Crops are grown and harvested by volunteers and then given to local food abnks.

The Charleston Habitat for Humanity’s College Week was held in the spring, bringing out a number of College of Charleston students.

Charleston Habitat for Humanity’s College Week in the spring brought out many student volunteers. www.charlestonbusiness.com

Members of The Junior League of Charleston came together to help at the Lowcountry Food Bank this year.

An “Aqua Angel” volunteer donates time to water green spaces through the Charleston Parks Conservancy nonprofit.

Giving: Your guide to community giving in the Lowcountry 39