Giving Guide YOUR GUIDE TO COMMUNITY GIVING IN THE UPSTATE | 2016-17
NEW WAYS OF GIVING
Â
YOUNGER GENERATIONS FINDING THEIR OWN PATHS TO CONNECT WITH NONPROFITS
FEATURES 12 COLUMNS BMW CHARITY 14 PRO-AM GOLF TOURNAMENT YOUTH VOLUNTEER 21 CORPS IN ANDERSON 22 TRENDS IN GIVING
QUICK FACTS
AWARD WINNERS
HELPING OUT
NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT
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QUICK FACTS
4.1% SINCE
GIVING
2014
AMERICANS GAVE IN 2015
BY THE
$373.25 BILLION
NUMBERS FUN FACTS Historically, charitable giving rises about 1/3 as fast as the stock market.
1/3
Source: The Foundation Center
Online giving grew by 13.5% in 2013, while overall charitable giving grew by 4.9%.
13.5% IN 2013
OF THAT TOTAL
$18.45 BILLION
Source: The Charitable Giving Report, derived from The Blackbaud Index
5%
$31.76 BILLION
$58.46 BILLION
9% 16% 71%
ONLY 23.1% RESIDENTS VOULUNTEER
$264.58 BILLION
875,800
VOLUNTEERS
Individuals (71%) Foundations (16%)
Bequests (9%) Corporations (5%)
HERE’S WHERE THE MONEY GOES VOLUNTEERING IN SOUTH CAROLINA 23.1% OF RESIDENTS VOLUNTEER, RANKING THEM 44TH AMONG THE 50 STATES AND WASHINGTON, DC
132.2 MILLION HOURS OF SERVICE WORTH
$3.1 BILLION
35.2 HOURS VOLUNTEER HOURS PER CAPITA
52.3% RESIDENTS DONATE $25 OR MORE TO CHARITY
Source: Corporation for National and Community Service, www.volunteeringinamerica.gov; numbers are for 2014
RELIGION 32% EDUCATION 15% HUMAN SERVICES 12% GRANT-MAKING FOUNDATIONS 11% HEALTH 8% PUBLIC-SOCIETY BENEFIT 7% ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES 5% INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 4% ENVIRONMENTAL/ANIMALS 3% TO INDIVIDUALS 2% Source: Giving USA
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AWARD WINNERS
Lindsey family, Fluor’s Golf for Greenville honored by AFP A
generous family and a golfing event started by Fluor employees are the winners of this year’s National Philanthropy Day awards given by the Association of Fundraising Professionals S.C. Piedmont chapter. The Lindsey family was named Volunteer of the Year, and Fluor’s Golf for Greenville, led by Bob Novak, was named Philanthropist of the Year. Hamp and Lou Lindsey and their son, Wade Lindsey, are committed to helping the Spartanburg community. In a 2004 Spartanburg Herald Journal article, Hamp Lindsey expressed appreciation for the ability to be involved in his community. This dedication to volunteer leadership is shared by his wife, Lou, and has been passed on to the next generation. According to their nomination, the Lindsey family’s community leadership can be found across Spartanburg County, sharing time, talent and treasure. “They don’t just attend events,” their nominator wrote. “They lend their creativity to enhance volunteer activities, which ultimately benefits each host organization’s overall mission by increasing event attendance and revenue.” Each year, Hope Center for Children hosts Tinis & Tapas, an Academy Award-themed fundraiser featuring martini stations depicting different film genres. The Lindseys volunteer at these stations each year. This year, the theme was animated film, and Wade Lindsey dressed as Peter Pan and appeared on TV to promote the event. He was joined by two friends and his fiancée dressed as Captain Hook, Tiger Lily and Tinkerbell. The four young volunteers added spirit to the event, which raised a record $114,000 for Hope Center for Children. Earlier, Wade Lindsey danced for the Cancer Association’s Dancing with the Spartanburg Stars. The Cancer Association credits Wade, one of the youngest dancers ever to participate, with connecting the organization with the younger professionals in the community. The Lindsey family also donated their billboards to market the event. Hamp Lindsey has served on many
The Lindsey family has been named Volunteer of the Year.
Fluor’s Golf for Greenville has been chosen Philanthropist of the Year.
nonprofit boards, including the S.C. Food Rescue (founding member), YMCA and Mobile Meals. Lou Lindsey served as chair of the board during the merger of two well-known entities in Spartanburg, Ellen Hines Smith Girls’ Home and the Children’s Shelter of the Upstate. Her leadership saw through the creation of Hope Center for Children, a single organization that reduced overhead expenses while expanding services to include prevention of child abuse and neglect. In 2012, Lou Lindsey was hon-
ored with the Ellen Hines Smith Girls’ Home Spirit Award, the highest honor for a volunteer. The Lindseys also share the spirit of volunteerism and volunteer leadership with their Wade’s Restaurant staff through Miracle League, Habitat for Humanity and Mobile Meals. In 2002, the restaurant staff members were honored by the Easter Seal Society with the W.C. Hunter Award for their outstanding participation in the Buck-A-Cup program. Fluor’s Golf for Greenville was nomi-
nated by Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina in recognition of their generosity to Goodwill and other area nonprofits. Developed and founded by Fluor employees in 1989, Golf for Greenville has had a strong impact on the community, raising more than $4.5 million to assist 37 nonprofit organizations. The event is led by professionals from Fluor as leadership enrichment. In 2012, Goodwill received $93,500 from the event to up-fit two training rooms at the Goodwill Training Center on Woodruff Road. The training center helps prepare people for employment and helps them obtain jobs to become self-sufficient. Programs offered there have included adult education, work readiness training and career preparation. Goodwill also uses the center for classes for Goodwill employees enrolled in the Management Development Program. The funding from Golf for Greenville helped purchase desks, chairs, bookshelves, storage cabinets, laptop computers, audiovisual equipment, software, white boards and smart boards. Goodwill also received $155,150 in 2015 to purchase two new trucks to be used for home pickup services in Greenville County, helping to generate additional revenues. Goodwill estimates that adding home pickup of goods will generate an additional $332,800 per year. Golf for Greenville beneficiaries in 2016 included Rebuild Upstate, Meyer Center for Special Children, the Children’s Museum of the Upstate and the Walker Foundation. In previous years, recipients have included the Family Effect, Homes of Hope, Meals on Wheels Greenville, Greenville Area Interfaith Hospitality Network, Greenville Free Medical Clinic and Boy Scouts of America, Blue Ridge Council. Goodwill nominated Bob Novak to receive the award on behalf of Fluor. A longstanding member of the Golf for Greenville leadership committee, Novak leads the volunteer team of employees who organize the tournament and solicit donations and sponsorships. Novak is also a Goodwill board member.
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COLUMNS
REACHING NEW DONORS AT THE SPEED OF LIFE
SNAPS, APPS, #HASHTAGS AND IMPACT:
USING TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE TED HENDRY
CAROL E. BURDETTE
W
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e live in a rapidly changing and challenging world, and the needs of those in our communities are many and varied. All nonprofit organizations are searching for the “silver bullet” of how to reach new donors and volunteers. At United Way our tagline is “GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER.” I call it President and Chief Professional Officer asking those in our United Way of community for their Anderson County dollars, voice and hands to make our community a better place. So the million-dollar question is “how do we get these new donors?” The first step is as old-fashioned as sliced bread — build relationships! This includes getting to know their passion. Find out what they feel needs to change in their community. Secondly, getting their input on how they think this change could come about, and lastly, showing donors the value of their gift. Many of these potential new donors are millennials who communicate differently than the donors who built our organizations, so we must look for new and different ways of reaching and engaging them while remembering that at the end of the day they want the same thing our more seasoned donors and volunteers
want … a better community! This “right now,” “call to action,” “let’s make a difference” population has forced us to move at the “speed of life.” Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have become the normal tools of the trade for our historical “snail mail,” “local newspaper,” “make a phone call” organization. GIVING to United Way of Anderson County can now be as simple as going to our website and making your donation or pledge. You can even give through our Facebook page. Most of our younger donors prefer debit cards, PayPal or ApplePay instead of writing a check. Quick and simple is the way to go. Because our community is now the world instead of our city or town, ADVOCATING is much more far reaching. When there is an issue in our community, social media allows us to shine light on that issue. It also allows others to voice their opinions, concerns and take action. This leads us to the VOLUNTEER portion of our tagline. As an organization, we constantly hear, “I read about your program on social media, I want to know how I can get involved.” By touching an individual, or community group or organization through social media, we have allowed younger donors to get involved in a world that historically was exclusive to a certain demographic, socially and economically. It has expanded our reach, which leads to endless possibilities for expanding our impact.
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t goes without saying that staying upto-date on the latest technology and trends is essential for any business to stay relevant, and nonprofits are no different. At United Way and many of our partners, that means allocating more time and resources to working in the digital space: sharing success stories, recruiting new volunteers, President, United Way of promoting services, Greenville County and yes, asking for contributions. At United Way of Greenville County, our mission is to bring together people and resources to build a Cycle of Success for all in our community. You can’t effectively bring those people and those resources together without meeting your audience where they are. As we all know, that’s usually on their phones. While giving through our workplace campaign and using payroll deduction is the easiest, most efficient and effective way to give back to our community, the changing landscape of today’s workforce is leading to exciting new innovations, and online and mobile giving to nonprofits increases every year. According to The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s “Online Giving Trends” tracker, online giving in August saw an increase of 21.7 percent in the number of donors and
31.4 percent in total dollars given over the same period in 2015. Across South Carolina, the median online gift was $50. Creating a strong presence on social media is one way to reach those online givers. Everyone’s got a Facebook page, even Grandma. In fact, more than half of our audience on Facebook and Twitter is over the age of 35. But to reach the millennial generation, nonprofits have got to stay in-tune with what’s next. Follow us on Snapchat! Collecting likes, followers and friends on social media is key to building a community around our cause, but we still feel the best way for people to connect with the work isn’t through a 4K Retina display. For us, the most impactful connection point is through a volunteer experience where people have the chance to see the personal impact of their contributions. Where technology helps is in recruiting volunteers. Handsongreenville.org offers access to hundreds of volunteer opportunities right now, and soon we will release an app that will help users sign up for those volunteer opportunities right on their phone. Technology is even helping us directly serve families. To increase financial stability, we’ve offered myfreetaxes.com, where individuals with a household income of less than $63,000 can easily prepare and file their own taxes for free. Sounds great, doesn’t it? We’ll tweet you the link.
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SHAPING COMMUNITY,
DEFINING PHILANTHROPY TROY HANNA
A
s our nation faces turbulent times, the role of the community foundation is more important than ever before. Community foundations exist to provide positive opportunities by stewarding philanthropic resources to community-based organizations. Community foundations by simple President and CEO definition are comThe Spartanburg County Foundation munity connectors, leaders and knowledge sources. Community foundations work daily to connect donors with nonprofit organizations in order to address critical needs. Because of that focus, they are direct reflections of the cities, counties, or states in which they serve. Community foundations are shaping community and defining philanthropy. Philanthropy can be defined as simply love for humankind. One does not need to possess great financial wealth, but rather the desire to give back. The Spartanburg County Foundation offers several giving options for philanthropists of every kind. Donors may choose to open a fund to benefit one or many causes. In 2015, the foundation engaged over 100 volunteers and leveraged $692,500 through strategic partnerships and outside grants. Without donors, partners, volunteers and other philanthropists, community foundations could not exist. As a donor-focused philanthropic organization committed to community leadership, the Spartanburg County Foundation continually seeks to shape community and define philanthropy. The mission of the Spartanburg County
Foundation is to improve the lives of Spartanburg County residents by promoting philanthropy, encouraging community engagement, and responding to community needs. This mission serves as a litmus test and is a daily reminder of the foundation’s role in Spartanburg County. In 2015, the foundation celebrated its highest grant-making year to date, awarding $10.8 million to the greater Spartanburg County community and beyond. Of that $10.8 million, the foundation was able to grant $714,000 from the Community Fund to 156 organizations. The Community Fund allows anyone to give at any time and in any amount. It is the unrestricted fund that fuels grantmaking at the discretion of the Board of Trustees and seeks to address needs within specific indicators as defined by the Spartanburg Community Indicators Project. For individuals who wish to leave a legacy that will benefit their community for years to come, the Spartanburg County Foundation offers planned giving. Recently, the foundation hosted an art show as a part of a planned gift that had come to fruition. Community foundations are avenues for donors to give any asset they choose, whether it is an estate, life insurance, time or talent. Philanthropy comes in many forms. The role of the community foundation is to be a facilitator of philanthropy. By giving through the community foundation, individuals are investing in their neighborhoods. The Spartanburg County Foundation appreciates the many philanthropists who choose to partner with our organization to positively impact the greater Spartanburg County community.
Philanthropy comes in many forms. The role of the community foundation is to be a facilitator of philanthropy. Troy Hanna, President and CEO The Spartanburg County Foundation
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Even in the beginning, BMW-sponsored pro-am was a big idea by Ross Norton gsanews@scbiznews.com
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t was a bit audacious, truth be told. Start an event – a big one. Bring in celebrities and professional golfers. Bring in sponsors. Big sponsors. Make it nice. Make it a fundraiser, a big one. Make it a social event, a big one. So big it would impact the local economy. It was a big idea as the 1990s closed out. Today, it’s the BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by SYNNEX Corp. Spread across three golf courses, the tournament is part of the Web.com Tour, a developmental tour for the PGA that works similar to baseball’s minor leagues in that it is made up of players aspiring to make it in, or return to, the PGA Tour. The tournament can trace its roots back to the Ben Hogan Greater Greenville Classic in 1992, but its marquee name and association with BMW began in 2001 when the tournament shifted to a pro-am format. Max Metcalf, now manager of government and community relations for BMW Manufacturing Co., has been part of the tournament since joining BMW in 2001. He said organizers already knew then that the event had potential to grow and, more important, to reach its objectives. “The idea was to promote our quality
A golfer tees off at the Thornblade Club. (Photo/Fred Rollison)
of life in the Upstate, promote charity and promote economic development,” said Metcalf, who serves on the event’s board of directors and as secretary/treasurer of South Carolina Charities Inc., the nonprofit foundation of the tournament. His role in the event takes up a great deal of his time at BMW, especially in the early part of the year, but he says the au-
tomaker’s managers think the time is well invested. Planning the tournament “is a good amount of time but it’s important to BMW. It’s a good thing and we know it gives back to this community and that’s the right thing to do,” Metcalf said. “The charitable aspect is most satisfying. We raise around $750,000 now and it’s ex-
tremely satisfying, but it’s also great to hear the feedback from the players. The amateurs come from about 15 states and six or eight countries and they think we have a great thing going here.” The BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by SYNNEX Corp. has distributed close to $12.1 million for charity over 16 years. Eighteen charities currently benefit from the tournament, ranging from Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas to Harvest Hope Food Bank to Upstate Warrior Solution. Metcalf said the charities represent a mix of objectives such as adult education, health care and economic development. Since 2001 when the event adopted the pro-am format – which groups professionals, amateurs and celebrities – the tournament’s status has grown. Part of the reason for its early success was that organizers were putting on a good event, Metcalf said, and part of it was the status of some of the celebrities. There have been many over the years from across a wide range of the celebrity spectrum, but the event scored big early when actor and director Kevin Costner signed on. “He brought us a lot of attention when he played,” Metcalf said. That attention attracted more celebrities, more golfers and more interest. For
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the professionals in the tournament now, it is one of the premier events of the Web. com Tour. Organizers point out that all past winners have gone on to play in the PGA Tour. As a stage for future and past PGA stars – hall of fame participants have included Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player – the BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by SYNNEX Corp. also has a lot of fans. The four-day tournament is broadcast on The Golf Channel, attracting as many as 2.5 million viewers while showcasing the Upstate and, since 2008, three different golf courses. Some viewers may watch for the celebrities, but they will see good golf, too. Last year they witnessed Richy Werenski come off a four-way tie going into his final nine to win the tournament and take home a prize of $121,500. Golf careers and tourism aside, Metcalf points out that the economic impact of the event is immediate and measurable, with 2,000 hotel rooms booked for the weekend and thousands of restaurant meals served. A 2013 study by the Clemson University International Institute of Tourism Research and Development said the tournament that year generated $4.7 million in direct spending, supported 139 jobs, generated net local government revenues of $541,048 and net state government revenues of $868,479. “And,” Metcalf said, “you never know when a CEO in town for the tournament
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Celebrities who have played the tournament include: • Rocker, Alice Cooper • Jazz musician, Branford Marsalis • Actress, Catherine Bell • Former U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle • Actor/comedian, CheechMarin • Football legends, Jerry Rice and John Elway • Baseball legends, Tim Wakefield, Tommy Lasorda and Johnny Bench. Each year more than 2,000 hotel room nights are booked as a direct result of the tournament.
Above, volunteers work as scorers and standard bearers at the BMW Charity Pro-Am. At right, Richy Werenski, winner of the 2016 BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by SYNNEX. (Photos/Fred Rollison)
may decide to relocate his company to Greenville.” Organizers of the BMW Charity ProAm presented by SYNNEX Corp. were thinking big in the beginning, and they’re thinking big now.
In all, 168 celebrities have played in the tournament.
“We’re going into our 17th year and that’s an incredible achievement,” Metcalf said. “It’s coming again in May and we’re ready for sponsors and some amateur golfers. It’s time to get moving and get energized.”
Since 2001, the BMW tournament has distributed more than $11.5 million to more than 200 charities, part of the PGA Tour’s $2 billion raised for charity.
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NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT
MISSION STATEMENT: The Children’s Museum of the Upstate sparks a lifelong passion for curiosity and learning through play. QUICK FACTS: NAME OF YOUR ORGANIZATION: The Children’s Museum of the Upstate YEAR ESTABLISHED LOCALLY: 2009 TOP LOCAL EXECUTIVE: Nancy Halverson, President and CEO CONTACT INFORMATION: Address: 300 College St., Greenville, SC 29601 Phone: 864-553-7901 Fax: 864-233-7790 Website: www.TCMUpstate.org CORPORATE GIVING CONTACTS: Jami Wood, Director of Development Phone: 864-553-7920 E-mail: jwood@TCMUpstate.org AVERAGE NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS IN 2016: 140-150 TOTAL OPERATING BUDGET (2016-2017): $1,988,357
A CLOSER LOOK: 2016 TOP ACHIEVEMENTS: • Opening our newest exhibit, Bib’s World, an outdoor playground designed for accessibility, in collaboration with Michelin International Foundation and Michelin North America. • An 18% growth of our museum membership. • Creating a strategic plan for the next three years that includes exhibit renovation. 2017 GOALS: • Beginning our exhibit renovations and master facility plan (will extend beyond 2017) and extending our outreach. • Opening a new visitor experience early in the year. • Expanding our capacity for design and creation so that we can make national, traveling exhibits. FUNDRAISING EVENTS: The Children’s Museum Soiree Spring, 2017 @The Children’s Museum of the Upstate Tickets are $150/person CORPORATE GIVING OPPORTUNITIES:
PERCENT OF REVENUE DEDICATED TO PROGRAM SERVICES: 90.4% GEOGRAPHIC AREA OR SPECIFIC POPULATION SERVED: The 10 counties of the Upstate, but we see visitors (both families and school field trips) from all over. 38% of our visitors are from outside Greenville County and 17% are from states other than South Carolina. GREATEST NEED: Funding for our public programs to include access for all children
$25,000 Presenting Soiree Sponsor Package: includes 3 tables reserved (24 tickets) Print Recognition: • Gala Invitations (4,000 distributed) • Gala thank you ad • Logo in all print advertising including The Greenville News, TALK Magazine and Greenville Journal Online Recognition, Logo and Link Placement: • Event web page on www.tcmupstate. org • Social media shout-outs on Facebook and Twitter (19,500 followers) • Email Marketing (6,500 subscribers)
Event Recognition and Logo Placement: • Donor recognition signage • 3 Reserved tables for 8 in prime seating location • Top billing on all event signage and print collateral • Top billing on event audio/visual • Opportunity for a selected representative to address attendees • Opportunity to provide and introduce a Live Auction and/or Tombola Wall item • Additional customized recognition designed to fulfill your objectives Museum VIP: • Year-long recognition as a sponsor in admissions and annual report • Invitations to all donor events and member previews throughout the year • 1 free TMCU event rental $10,000 Sponsor Package: includes 2 tables reserved (16 tickets) Print Recognition: same as above Online Recognition, Logo and Link Placement: same as above Event Recognition and Logo Placement: • Donor recognition signage • 2 reserved tables for 8 in prime seating location • Print materials • Event audio/visual Museum VIP: • Recognition as a sponsor in admissions and annual report • Invitations to all donor events and member previews throughout the year • 50% off 1 TCMU event rental $5,000 Sponsor Package: includes 1 table reserved (8 tickets) Print Recognition: • Gala Invitations (4,000 distributed) • Gala thank you ad Online Recognition, Logo and Link Placement: same as above
NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT SPONSORED BY:
Event Recognition and Logo Placement: • Donor recognition signage • Reserved table for 8 in prime seating location • Print materials • Event audio/visual Museum VIP: • Recognition as a sponsor in admissions and annual report • Invitations to all donor events and member previews throughout the year • 10% off a TCMU event rental $2,500 Sponsor Package: includes table reserved (4 tickets) Print Recognition: same as above Online Recognition, Logo and Link Placement: same as above Event Recognition and Logo Placement: • Donor recognition signage • Reserved seating for 4 in prime location • Print materials • Event audio/visual Museum VIP: • Recognition as a sponsor in admissions and annual report • Invitations to all donor events and member previews throughout the year $1,000 Sponsor Package: includes 4 tickets Print Recognition: same as above Online Recognition, Logo and Link Placement: same as above Event Recognition and Logo Placement: • Recognition on sponsor signage • 4 tickets to The Children’s Museum Soiree • Listed in event print materials Museum VIP: • Recognition as a sponsor in admissions and annual report
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NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT
MISSION STATEMENT: To be a best-in-class Christian engineering organization that transforms lives through sustainable safe water solutions. QUICK FACTS: NAME OF YOUR ORGANIZATION: Water Mission YEAR ESTABLISHED LOCALLY: 2001 TOP LOCAL EXECUTIVE: George C. Greene III, PE, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO CONTACT INFORMATION: Address: P.O. Box 71489, N. Charleston, SC 29415 Phone: 843-769-7395 Website: www.watermission.org CORPORATE GIVING CONTACTS: Molly F. Greene, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board mgreene@watermission.org Rogers Hook, P.E., Vice President, Volunteer and Investor Partnerships hook@watermission.org Address: P.O. Box 71489, N. Charleston, SC 29415 Phone: 843-769-7395
PERCENT OF REVENUE DEDICATED TO PROGRAM SERVICES: 86% In 2016, Water Mission earned Charity Navigator’s top 4-star rating for the 10th consecutive year, a distinction shared by less than one percent of the charities rated by the organization. GEOGRAPHIC AREA OR SPECIFIC POPULATION SERVED: Water Mission has over 250 staff members working around the world in 10 permanent country programs located in Africa, Asia, the Americas, and the Caribbean. GREATEST NEED: Prayers for the organization to deliver on its mission and for the safety and protection of our staff who work in dangerous or insecure places around the world. Financial support to help deliver safe water systems and latrines to the 2.5 billion people around the world who lack adequate sanitation.
AVERAGE NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS IN 2016: 500 TOTAL OPERATING BUDGET (2016-2017): $17.5 million
NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT SPONSORED BY:
A CLOSER LOOK: 2016 TOP ACHIEVEMENTS: • Secured $5 million grant commitment from the Poul Due Jensen Foundation (Grundfos Corp) to bring safe water to 250,000 refugees in western Tanzania. • Surpassed 3.3 million people with over 2,300 of safe water systems and latrine installations in community development programs and disaster response. • Worked closely with global NGOs including UNICEF, UNHCR and the World Bank in Uganda and Tanzania. • Earned global stage recognition alongside Blackbaud at the 2016 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference. • Featured in Oracle’s JavaOne™ 2016 Conference in San Francisco as one of three organizations pushing the technical boundaries for solving global problems. 2017 GOALS: • Provide safe water and sanitation to 375,000 people in places we operate around the world. • Deliver safe water treatment systems during natural and man-made disasters such as civil unrest that results in refugees fleeing for protection. FUNDRAISING EVENTS: • Scotty’s Ride for Water – 13-year old Scotty Parker will ride 3,200 miles from Santa Monica Pier in California to Water Mission Headquarters. Help Scotty achieve his awareness and fundraising goals to combat the global water crisis. Contact us or make a donation at www.events.watermissions.org/site/scottysride.com • Charleston Walk for Water - Register yourself or form a team, and join us for the Annual Charleston Walk for Water on Saturday, March 25, 2017. Register now at www.walkforwatermission.org/walk/charleston/ CharlestonWalk.org. • Individual fundraisers - Host a memorable fundraiser for your birthday party, an anniversary, race, or business promotion to support Water Mission. Personalize your fundraiser page at www.watermission.everydayhero.do. CORPORATE GIVING OPPORTUNITIES: Give online at www.watermission.org/donate. Honor your customers and employees this season with a meaningful gift of safe water. Give your holiday tribute gifts today through our Christmas Catalog. Visit www. watermission.org/Christmas.
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NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT
MISSION STATEMENT: We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Wishes are more than just a nice thing. The impact of a wish can last a lifetime. In fact, medical professionals say wish experiences can improve children’s state of mind, make them more willing to comply with treatment requirements, and even influence their physical health. Former wish kids tell us their wish experience improved their health and strength; gave them more confidence and the will to pursue more challenging life goals; made them more philanthropic and compassionate; and even helped save their life. QUICK FACTS: NAME OF YOUR ORGANIZATION: Make-A-Wish® South Carolina
TOTAL OPERATING BUDGET (20162017): $2,763,028
YEAR ESTABLISHED LOCALLY: 1984
PERCENT OF REVENUE DEDICATED TO PROGRAM SERVICES: 80% of every dollar is directly allocated to wishes.
TOP LOCAL EXECUTIVE: Bill Tiller, President and CEO CONTACT INFORMATION: Address: 225 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Suite C17, Greenville, SC 29607 Phone: 864-250-0702 or 800-250WISH Fax: 864-250-0704 Website: www.sc.wish.org CORPORATE GIVING CONTACTS: Maggie Morton, Corporate Relations Manager Phone: 864-250-0702 or 800-250WISH E-mail: mmorton@sc.wish.org AVERAGE NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS IN 2016: Make-A-Wish South Carolina is honored to have 214 statewide volunteers with 61 located in the Upstate. Volunteers selflessly give their time, and often their resources, to help make wishes come true for local kids. They are critical to our mission. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Susanna Marino, Director of Volunteer Services, at smarino@sc.wish.org or 864-250-0702
GEOGRAPHIC AREA OR SPECIFIC POPULATION SERVED: Our chapter serves all 46 counties of South Carolina. The Upstate region is defined by 10 counties: Oconee, Pickens, Greenville, Spartanburg, Cherokee, Union, Laurens, Greenwood, Abbeville and Anderson. GREATEST NEED: Funding is the only thing stopping Make-A-Wish from granting the wish of every eligible child in our state. Funding can be given through direct donations, corporate giving, sponsorships, online fundraisers, planned giving or event participation. Make-A-Wish South Carolina also has a great need for donated airline miles. Travel is the one of the costliest expenses to our chapter. Donating airline miles is a little known way for supporters to help us grant more lifechanging wishes.
A CLOSER LOOK: 2016 TOP ACHIEVEMENTS: During fiscal year 2016, Make-A-Wish South Carolina achieved new records in wish granting, fundraising and volunteer recruitment. 2017 GOALS: Make-A-Wish aims to grant 180 wishes in fiscal year 2017. For every wish we grant, there is a child whose wish has not been granted. It is estimated that there are currently 400 children in our state with a lifethreatening medical conditions. Funding will help us bring hope and joy into their lives. FUNDRAISING EVENTS: • The Wish Ball is Make-A-Wish South Carolina’s premier signature event. The gala will be held at the University of South Carolina Alumni Center in Columbia on Feb. 25, 2017. Evening highlights will include a gourmet dinner, silent and live auctions, dancing and live entertainment, guest speakers and a few more surprises that you won’t want to miss. More information can be found at: www.scwishball.org • Trailblaze Challenge is a unique endurance program where participants hike 28.3 miles in one life-changing day on the Foothills Trail to raise funds and awareness for Make-A-Wish South Carolina. Early bird registration is now available for the Spring 2017 hike. Sponsorships are available. Visit sctrailblazechallenge.org • Save the date for Walk For Wishes®! This year’s Walk For Wishes will take place on April 29, 2017, at Furman University’s Amphitheater in Greenville. More information on our walk will be released soon. CORPORATE GIVING OPPORTUNITIES: Sponsorships are available for The Wish Ball. Sponsors are vital to the success of the gala and our goal to raise funds to directly benefit the children we serve and their families. Sponsorships are available at several levels to accommodate varying budgets and provide maximum benefits of brand alignment for your company. Other ways to help include Corporate Giving, Employee Donation Programs and attending an event as a guest. For more information on sponsorships and other ways to help, contact Maggie Morton, Corporate Relations Manager, at mmorton@sc.wish.org or 864-2500702
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HELPING OUT
YOUTH VOLUNTEERS
YOUTH VOLUNTEER CORPS CREATES LIFELONG INVOLVEMENT
by Jenny Peterson jpeterson@scbiznews.com
S
omething special happened when the kids from the Anderson County Youth Volunteer Corps volunteered to help serve a spaghetti dinner for parents at the Development Center for Exceptional Children, a local preschool for kids with disabilities. On their own, the young volunteers decided that they wanted to take over serving the dinner, not just for parents at the center, but for the center’s staff as well. “They knew the staff needed to be thanked for their work, and these youth volunteers took over the whole event, which allowed the staff workers some well-deserved relief,” said Ellie Phillips, community impact associate with United Way of Anderson County and Youth Volunteer Corps program director. “It was all their idea to take the lead and go above and beyond,” Phillips said. It was the exact mission of the Youth Volunteer Corps – to have young people initiate community service with nonprofit agencies. For this act of service, the Youth Volunteer Corps Anderson County was honored with the 2015 “Project of the Year” award at the national Youth Volunteer Corps Summit. The Youth Volunteer Corps Anderson County is part of the United Way of Anderson County in conjunction with
HandsOn Anderson. Its purpose is to encourage young volunteers to get involved in the community by creating opportunities for community service and volunteerism. Youth Volunteer Corps is open to anyone in the community between ages 11 and 18, with a special focus on recruiting disadvantaged youths for the program. “We want to give them an opportunity to tap into their leadership potential,” Phillips said. The program is one of 30 affiliates nationwide and was first established in Anderson County in the 1990s. More than 60 students are currently involved in the group. The Youth Volunteer Corps is unique in that students volunteer year-round, going beyond a single project or single year. Participants are asked to volunteer at least 30 hours per year and are encouraged to come up with their own ideas to help their community. “We develop their worldview to become lifelong volunteers,” Phillips said. Each month, the United Way of Anderson County coordinates opportunities for community service for these students during the school year and week-long summer camps. Students are encouraged to identify service opportunities and take on leadership roles to organize projects. A youth board meets monthly. “It gives us ideas on what youngsters would like to learn about,” Phillips said. Projects this year have included building
a wheelchair ramp and cleaning up an Anderson community park. “They thought it was a great opportunity to create a safe, healthy outdoor space,” Phillips said. The United Way of Anderson helps cover the costs of materials for these volunteer programs, and students often organize fundraising. “For many special events, especially for things that the youth want to do that may cost additional money, they actually take the lead and do fundraisers. They are doing a yard sale and have taken the lead in that fundraiser,” said Shannon Owen, chief operating officer for the United Way of Anderson County. Not only are students able to volunteer, but they are encouraged to take on various leadership roles through the Youth Volunteer Corps. The local youth board meets monthly, and members have an opportunity to collaborate with the national Youth Volunteer Corps board to identify areas for community service and develop critical thinking on community problems that youth volunteers can help solve. “The local board has done conference calls with other youth boards about what’s going on around the country. They talk about successes other communities have had and come up with ways to implement new community services,” Phillips said. To get new Youth Volunteer Corps members engaged, initial meetings include ice-breaking exercises before most
service projects. “A lot of times in the summer, youngsters come in for a week-long project, and students bond on the first day. By the end of the week, they have exchanged phone numbers and relationships have developed. They come out of their shells while doing something together,” Phillips said. Students’ volunteer skills span many areas, including painting, building and child care. “The students have energy and enthusiasm. Our middle school girls love child care and projects with smaller kids; we really try to do a lot of different projects to see what skills each volunteer has,” Phillips said. The Youth Volunteer Corps works with several nonprofit agencies on a regular basis and Phillips said the group is always looking for new partnerships and opportunities. Often, the volunteer and community service skills continue for the students well past age 18. “These youngsters want to be changemakers, and each wants to make a positive change in the community,” Phillips said. “We have two youths that have served 500 hours in the course of their time in the group. We want them to continue volunteering when they go to college, join clubs, boards and agencies, and exhibit a lifetime commitment to service.” To learn more, visit www.yvcanderson. org or email ellie.youngs@uwandersoncty.com.
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Trends in Giving
Successful fundraising means meeting people where they are
by Licia Jackson
W COLLABORATION UPDATE Realizing there is strength in numbers, the seven United Way organizations in the 10 counties of the Upstate began collaborating on several programs a few years ago. “Need knows no county boundaries,” said Mike Posey, vice president for marketing and communications at United Way of Greenville County. “Many people work in one county and live in another. We meet needs in the best ways we can.” Here are some updates collaborative projects:
on
Born Learning Trails: These trails developed by the United Ways provide outdoor opportunities for children to learn in public spaces. There are 40 Born Learning trails in the 10 counties; find one near you at www.bornlearningupstatesc. org. Click on the Learning on the Go tab. 211 service: The 211 phone line is a statewide service operating 24 hours a day. Anyone in need can call for assistance, no matter where they are in South Carolina. VITA collaborative: Any household with income of $54,000 of less can have tax returns prepared for free through this volunteer-staffed program. The trained volunteers help the taxpayers file for the maximum refund for which they are eligible. VITA filed more than 9,000 returns in a recent year, with an average refund of $1,400. Americorps: The United Ways work with Americorps, the national service program, to leverage federal funding to help local nonprofits with staffing. Through Americorps, the United Ways have placed fulltime staff people in 28 nonprofit sites across the Upstate, Posey said.
hen the world of nonprofits and fundraising gets to be too much, it just might be time for a bit of ambush philanthropy. The Spartanburg County Foundation came up with its version of ambush philanthropy — called Just Because — in 2014. It grew out of a need to help nonprofits while also getting donors and foundation staff out into the community to see how their gifts are making a difference, said Troy Hanna, foundation president and CEO. What was billed as a get-to-know you visit surprised the nonprofits with an unrestricted grant from the foundation. “They didn’t know we were bringing the whole team on the Just Because bus,” Hanna said. “We had the media with us and they got media time as well as a $1,000 grant.” In a Publishers Clearing House-style presentation, a giant check and balloons were involved. The donors and foundation staff got to visit some lesser-known nonprofits across the county, while learning that $1,000 can make a big difference. At one site, the program director pointed to a leaky ceiling that could now be repaired. At another, a nonprofit that had just said no to a woman who needed rental assistance was able to call her back and say yes. Getting out there and finding out what works to inspire giving is a trend across the nonprofit world in the Upstate. Traditional
workplace campaigns, with T-shirts and printed pledge cards, do not always work. “It’s changing every single day,” said Carol Loyd, vice president of resource development at United Way of Anderson County. Seeing a decrease in response to mailings, the United Way tried eventbased fundraising heavily advertised in social media and found more success. Getting to know donors on a personal level has become critical, said Nicole Wood, vice president of resource development at United Way of Greenville County. Millennial generation employees want to know what’s going on at United Way and the nonprofits they support, through Facebook and Instagram. “They want to learn about needs through videos and quick links,” Wood said, making an online presence imperative. “It’s meeting people where they are and being in front of them.” Younger donors feel more engaged if they are able to give their time as well as their dollars. The United Way’s Hands On Greenville, a day of volunteering at nonprofits each May, has been so popular that a second day in October has been added. Setting aside a special day to donate money can generate more giving, Loyd said. “We got help from a consultant and selected a day to target.” The United Way of Anderson County’s giving day was promoted in emails and social media posts, and ended up being extended a few days. Long fundraising campaigns, starting in August and wrapping up in March, are tough, Loyd said. “It’s hard to keep the mo-
mentum. We’re trying to get companies to run them before the holidays.” Affinity groups can focus philanthropy, Wood said. “You feel like you are part of something bigger, not just the people you work with,” she explained. Loyd said that the United Way of Anderson County’s Women’s Leadership Council has been active in adopting teen pregnancy prevention as a cause, raising as much as $10,000 through a “Power of the Purse” event with auction and ticket sales. When new companies come to the area, the United Way of Greenville County meets with corporate leaders to find out how to meet their needs. Sometimes, helping their employees discover ways to engage with the community will keep them on the job longer, Wood said. Leveraging the efforts of faith groups has helped address community issues in Spartanburg. The Spartanburg County Foundation is working with the Spartanburg Interfaith Alliance, which began as a group of clergy planning a community Thanksgiving service. The alliance has expanded to include more faith leaders and lay leaders “to serve as a resource for community engagement, to network and to leverage the faith community,” said Caroline Goodman, communications officer at the foundation. The group holds programs to address concerns such as behavioral health, educational needs and community development. From those programs comes action to help the community.
‘I bloom where I am planted’
A nonprofit professional reflects on her career by Licia Jackson
M
ary L. Thomas, chief operating officer of the Spartanburg County Foundation, is “a rock star” in the world of philanthropy, says Troy Hanna, the foundation’s president and CEO. In 2006, Thomas won the prestigious Robert W. Scrivner Award from the Council on FoundaMary Thomas, Chief tions, a worldwide Financial Officer organization. She The Spartanburg used her $10,000 County Foundation prize to start a fund to recognize civic leadership and community change in Spartanburg. The fund has grown to more than $100,000 and the Mary L. Thomas Award “will be here when I’m long gone,” Thomas said. A bit of background about Thomas: She majored in French and communications at Winthrop University. Recruited to teach French in Spartanburg, she found it wasn’t her cup of tea. Next she worked for
Alcoa and then the Bethlehem Center, a community center. The turning point in her career came when she went to Zaire to help build a village for refugee children. “There was extreme poverty, over 100,000 children abandoned,” Thomas said. “It was the turning point in my commitment to make a difference in the world.” Soon afterwards, she was offered a job at the Spartanburg County Foundation. She has worked there 18 years. “I bloom where I am planted,” Thomas said. “No one day is ever the same.” Q. What motivates you to work in the world of philanthropy? A. “My faith, above all. I wake up with purpose . . . It’s important to be responsive to the staff and to the team, to live into the mission of this organization. When you are in nonprofit work, we are not counting beans, not producing a product. We are in the people business and any kind of obstacle or situation can occur. Your faith prepares you for those things you don’t even know about.” Q. How do you leverage time and funds to make a bigger impact? A. “I leverage time by being clear
about what the assignment is. Stephen Covey always says begin with the end in mind. Think win-win, put first things first. If there is a meeting, I want to know what is the purpose, what’s my role . . . In this season of my career, I want to create independence around the roles critical to our work. I leverage funding through partnerships. We are a foundation very blessed to have many generous donors. We live within our means..” Q. How do you choose from all the needs out there? A. “We have the Community Indicators Project, which helps us understand what the issues are . . . We try to address the needs the community is saying have priority.” Q. What is your favorite project? A. “The Grassroots Leadership Development Institute. This initiative has yielded over 300 leaders . . . My award was because of this. It’s dealing with empowerment . . . I risked my entire career on this idea, but I had board members supporting me who believed in the idea. We got funding from foundations and it has been an incredible experience.”
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