GSA Business Giving Guide 2015

Giving Guide Philanthropic Opportunities | 2015 -16

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Giving Guide: Philanthropic Opportunities

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Giving Guide Philanthropic Opportunities | 2015 -16

Dear Readers, I would like to extend a welcome to GSA Business’ Giving Guide for 2015.

The Upstate of South Carolina has always been known for its generosity and the following pages illustrate just how giving groups and individuals here really are.

It’s not just about writing a check. People in the Upstate have traditionally been giving of their time and efforts to advocate the groups and causes they believe in.

To make the precious time and dollars stretch even further than before, non-profit organizations in the Upstate continue to collaborate with each other and those around to make the best use of the resources available to them.

The variety of charities in the Upstate are vast and we hope to show that in the following pages.

There is Angel Flight Soars which has coordinated more than 1,500 missions for South Carolina families to more than 100 medical facilities across the country.

This group combines the volunteerism of its pilots, planes, fuel and time to help those families get to the medical care they might not be able to under different circumstances.

Programs across the Upstate also help our teenagers by providing information, time and other resources to help them be as healthy and productive as possible.

We cannot forget about those organizations helping our Upstate residents who have served their country. Our veterans are important to the fabric of our society and nonprofit organizations like the YMCA of Greenville, which provides specialized programs to veterans and their families is just one organization helping to meet the needs of our Upstate patriots.

It is also important to honor those here who have been so generous with their time and energy to benefit others.

People like Spartanburg’s Elaine Freeman and Greer’s Jean Shew are just two of the many examples of Upstate residents who have gone above and beyond to help others.

This guide also gives different nonprofit entities which can provide philanthropic opportunities for groups and individuals here in the Upstate.

We do want to thank all of the sponsors who appear in the Giving Guide who, with their help, made it possible to present this information.

And, one final and special thank you to your title sponsors, Greenville Health System and Ability Prosthetics & Orthotics, Inc.

Matthew Clark

Special thanks to:

Matthew Clark, Editor

Sponsored by

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Giving Guide: Philanthropic Opportunities

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PUBLISHER - Lisa Jones ljones@scbiznews.com • 864.235.5677, ext. 101 UPSTATE NEWSROOM

contents

Editor - Matt Clark

FEATURES

mclark@scbiznews.com • 864.235.5677, ext. 107 Copy Editor - Don Fujiwara dfujiwara@scbiznews.com • 864.235.5677, ext. 106 Staff Writer - Bill Poovey

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bpoovey@scbiznews.com • 864.235.5677, ext. 104 Staff Writer - Teresa C. Hopkins

Growing up strong

thopkins@scbiznews.com • 864.235.5677, ext. 103

Healthy living a key for some Upstate nonprofits working.

Special Projects Editor - Licia Jackson ljackson@scbiznews.com • 803.726.7546 Graphic Designer - Kimberly Davenport kdavenport@scbiznews.com • 864.235.5677, ext. 105 ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Account Executive - Susan Hurst shurst@scbiznews.com • 864.235.5677, ext. 111 Account Executive - Jim DeVuono jim@scbiznews.com • 864.235.5677, ext. 108

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Helping vets Upstate organizations aim to help those who serve.

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 Creative Director - Ryan Wilcox rwilcox@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3117 Director of Audience Development - Rick Jenkins

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rjenkins@scbiznews.com • 864.235.5677, ext. 112

Training leaders

Event Manager - Kathy Allen kallen@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3113

Program goal to help teach nonprofit leaders.

Audience Development & IT Manager - Kim McManus kmcmanus@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3116 Event Planner - Jacquelyn Fehler jfehler@scbiznews.com • 864.235.5677, ext. 113 Accounting Manager - Vickie Deadmon vdeadmon@scbiznews.com • 864.235.5677, ext. 100

6 QUICK FACTS

CUSTOM MEDIA DIVISION Director of Business Development - Mark Wright mwright@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3143

About the cover:

Walter Lee, an eighth- grade teacher at Tanglewood Middle School, working with students in his classroom, develops different scenarios and ask his students to interpret and play out those scenarios in their own way. (Photo/Ken Osburn)

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8 AWARD WINNERS 10 POINT OF VIEW 12 COVER STORY

16 PHILANTHROPY 20 HIGHLIGHTS 26 NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHTS Giving Guide: Philanthropic Opportunities

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QUICK FACTS

Quick Facts

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

How the South Gives The billion dollar figure represents the total contributions. The percentages represent the percent of income.

3.4%

11.1B

4.3% 3.8%

7.2B

Florida

Georgia

5.8B

North Carolina

2.8%

5.6B

Virginia

4.6%

3.7B Tennessee

4.9%

4.2%

3B

2.7B

Alabama

South Carolina

3.4%

5%

2.1B

1.5B

Louisiana

Mississippi

Source: Chronicle of Philanthropy

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QUICK FACTS

THE LIST The heavy rainfall the state has weathered has prompted numerous Upstate businesses to give toward relief efforts. Spartanburg-based Milliken & Co. donated $100,000 to the American Red Cross; employees of Greenville-based General Air Conditioning Service Corp. amassed more than 4,200 bottles of water; and the Greater Mauldin Chamber waived fees to its Music and Culture of the ‘60s event and collected donations, all going toward flood relief.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY It doesn’t take a historic flood to get the Upstate giving. Recently, Michelin North America raised $682,000 from its annual charity golf tournament in Greenville.

A reader of our GSA Daily email commenting on our GSA Daily charity poll wrote, “People in the Upstate are a very giving people.”

This year’s Giving Guide list features the Top 25 Foundations based in the Upstate ranked by revenue

reported to the S.C. Secretary of State and the IRS’s Exempt Organizations Business Master File Extract for fiscal 2014.

It also provides descriptions of each organization’s purpose, executive directors and years founded, and information on who to contact for contributions.

- Don Fujiwara, news editor

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AWARD WINNERS

Upstate residents Freeman and Shew win awards from AFP

Freeman

Shew

Two energetic Upstate residents are being honored as National Philanthropy Day award winners by the Association of Fundraising Professionals S.C. Piedmont chapter. Elaine T. Freeman has been chosen 2015 Philanthropist of the Year and Jean Shew has been selected as Volunteer of the Year.

Freeman, of Spartanburg, was nominated by the ETV Endowment of South Carolina. She was the founding executive director of the ETV Endowment, which raises funds to provide programs broadcast statewide on ETV and South

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Carolina Public Radio. Freeman founded the ETV Endowment in 1977, volunteering as executive director and using her home as its headquarters. She had the vision that ETV, the network created to deliver educational content into classrooms, could also deliver programming into homes.

Freeman led the ETV Endowment for 31 years, retiring in 2008. She has been an annual major donor since its inception and has managed fundraising efforts of the Endowment. During her tenure she raised $117 million in restricted production support for programs broadcast statewide on ETV and S.C. Public Radio and nationally on PBS and NPR. She also raised $76 million in unrestricted membership funding for the purchase of programming.

In addition, Freeman spearheaded a $4 million capital campaign in 1997 that resulted in acquisition and upfit of the PYA building adjacent to Williams-Brice Stadium, home to ETV’s Columbia operations. She has also been a supporter of Brookgreen Gardens, The Humanities Council SC, the Charles Lea Center, Spartanburg Day School and Mental Health Commission. Her nominator wrote: “Elaine is an institution — known far and wide for her tireless and visionary commitment to making this state and its services to her citizens the best they can be.”

Shew, of Greer, was nominated by the Girl Scouts of South Carolina – Mountains to Midlands. Shew has been involved in Girl Scouting most of her life, as a Scout, leader and vol-

unteer, and has filled many roles in her more than 20-year relationship with the council. Currently, she is an annual giving volunteer, serving as Greenville/Pickens County Emerald Circle co-chair for the second year.

Shew works directly with the girls served by Scouting and recruits and trains adult volunteers so that more girls can participate. Among many other roles, she creates program activities, serves on board committees and represents the council on the national level. “Without Jean Shew, our council simply would not be able to serve our clients as effectively,” her nominator wrote.

Shew has served as a mentor/adviser to countless Girl Scouts pursuing the Gold Award, the highest award for girls. She has served on the Gold Award Review Committee for many years, evaluating the girls’ service projects for earning the award. “She knows the questions to ask to move the girls successfully forward in their work without directly instructing them on what to do,” her nominator wrote. “She helps them think for themselves.”

Seven years ago, Shew founded the Powerful Women Summit, an annual program connecting teens and career women, which has served more than 1,000 girls across the 22-county Girl Scout council. Beyond Scouting, Shew is the health room manager at Greenville Technical Charter School and was the director of the Entech 281 Robotics Team.

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POINT OF VIEW

Meeting the Upstate’s Needs Through Giving Called to lead for a better community Thousands of books have been written about leadership. I have read many written by people we recognize as leaders in our nation. In John McCain’s book, “Character Is Destiny,” he tells stories of past leaders and their traits like humor, purpose, strength, understanding, judgment, creativity and love.

Rudy Giuliani’s book, “Leadership,” talks about listening, preparation and organizational skills. Serving in positions that put you in the public eye is rarely easy, but former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman does an excellent job in his book, “On Praise of Public Life,” of talking about leading by example and work for the common good.

As one who takes the role of leader seriously, it has been my honor and privilege to be at the helm of United Way of Anderson County for the past 13 years as CEO. I look at leadership as a calling. Without leaders, organizations, institutions of learning, churches and government entities would flounder. In books like I mentioned earlier and many more, leadership traits are defined as critical to the work of those willing to step up and take the lead. For me, listening, caring, serving and giving are foundational principles of leadership.

Carol E. Burdette Chief Professional Officer, United Way of Anderson County

Leading is not just for individuals, but organizations can lead, too! At United Way of Anderson County our vision is to be a leader of a community collaborative effort to create and sustain a healthy, secure and caring Anderson County. It is the desire of our volunteer leaders and our professional staff to lead in our community.

We started by listening. In 2006 we needed to refocus and gain a new perspective on doing the work to positively impact the residents of Anderson County.

We held focus groups with over 100 community leaders and asked them to tell us what they thought were the most pressing needs of the community.

After listening, we began to create a model of caring which included building self-sufficient individuals, children and families through looking at root causes of problems and working to prevent other problems, while we continue to work with agencies that provide assistance for those who find themselves in crisis.

Up until this time we had been a fundraising organization only, but we wanted to give citizens the opportunity to serve in a hands on capacity.

It is our desire to give the best we have to our partners in the community, our volunteers and the greater community through the work we feel will make the greatest difference.

Leadership leads to excellence, solutions to problems and engagement at the highest level.

The power of connecting our community As we come together nationally to celebrate Community Foundation Week from Nov. 12-18, let us all recognize the important work of community foundations throughout America and their collaborative and innovative approach to working with the public, private and nonprofit sectors.

Interestingly, though, community foundations are not a one-size-fits-all model. A community foundation reflects the community in which it serves and takes on a texture unique to its own surroundings, responding to the most pressing needs of that individual geography and demographic.

The Spartanburg County Foundation is committed to improving the lives of Spartanburg County residents by promoting philanthropy, encouraging community engagement, and responding to community needs. Each community foundation has its own unique mission statement and delivers on that promise by connecting donors to the organizations that assist in meeting these critical needs faced by each community. The power of community foundations comes from their ability to leverage donors in support of their mission to improve communities they serve. It is for this reason that we celebrate Community Foundation Week.

Troy M. Hanna

President and CEO, The Spartanburg County Foundation

In 2014, The Spartanburg County Foundation was able to grant $483,193 from our own Community Fund; however, with the collective leverage of Foundation donors, we were able to fund 1,866 grants totaling $9,982,589 back into Spartanburg County. We led and partnered on seven major initiatives and held more than 80 convenings, in which more than 3,900 individuals participated. This is the power of a community foundation – connecting our community.

As a community foundation, The Spartanburg County Foundation has the unique ability to facilitate the building of new and impactful relationships among the people of our community. We know the value of bringing a philanthropic goal to fruition, of matching a pressing need with a generous spirit, and of convening thought leaders around a shared vision. It is our great privilege to serve as a thread in the connective fiber that holds our community together.

The work of a community foundation is achieved when many people are willing to be connected, woven together for the common good. Community foundations seek to highlight donors, organizations, and initiatives whose impact have changed lives and strengthened our communities. It is through this community support at all levels that a community foundation continues to be a strong and steady presence that holds lives, hopes and dreams together for all those whom we call our neighbor. We are connecting our community.

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POINT OF VIEW

Education is critical to building a Cycle of Success Way back in the 19th century, American politician and education reformer Horace Mann called education “the great equalizer of the conditions of men, the balance-wheel of the social machinery.”

More than 100 years later, we still agree. That’s why at United Way of Greenville County, education is at the heart of our work.

We all want our community to be a place where everyone can have a safe, stable and successful life. A foundational element to achieving that vision is, and always has been, education.

In Greenville County, our work is focused on building a Cycle of Success where children start school prepared to learn and go on to graduate, welleducated graduates find good jobs and create stable homes, and children from stable homes continue the cycle because they start school on track and prepared to succeed.

Ted Hendry

President, United Way of Greenville County

From a child learning his ABCs before he even enters school to a middle school student planning for the future with her mentor to a mother getting the skills and training needed to land a career to support her family, education is the common thread that creates the cycle. But while it may sound simple to say “education is the solution,” we know the challenge is much more complex. If it weren’t, Horace Mann would have figured it all out years ago.

At United Way, we’re working to bring together people and resources to improve opportunities for people in our community to access the education they need to build that cycle.

One great example of this work has been OnTrack Greenville—a new initiative to ensure all middle school youth stay on track toward high school graduation. This idea has inspired an unprecedented response from a variety of stakeholders, including support from a diverse list of public, private and corporate foundations.

Working in collaboration, we believe we can eliminate the barriers that block our kids from achieving the successful future that we want for every child in our community.

We’re excited about what this progress means for our community, but there is still more to do.

Whether it’s through contributing dollars or time, or lending your voice in support, we ask you to join us in this important work. Visit unitedwaygc.org to learn more about how you can join us in building a Cycle of Success for all in Greenville County.

Together, we can shape the future of our community and prove Horace Mann right for another 100 years.

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COVER STORY

Growing Up

STRONG Nonprofit programs help teens navigate toward healthy adulthood

by Licia Jackson

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COVER STORY

Walter Lee, an eighth-grade teacher at Tanglewood Middle School, working with students in his classroom, develops different scenarios and ask his students to interpret and play out those scenarios in their own way.

(Photo/Ken Osburn)

Helping kids avoid trouble and learn to thrive through the adolescent years is a challenge everywhere. Whether it’s staying in school, avoiding teen pregnancy or finishing strong with posthigh school plans, Upstate nonprofits are on the case.

A major new initiative this fall is OnTrack Greenville, aimed at keeping high-risk middle school students engaged in school and focused on a successful future. Fueled by a grant from the federal Social Innovation Fund, this effort involves a partnership of the United Way of Greenville County, the Greenville Partnership for Philanthropy, the Riley Institute at Furman University and a network of nonprofit partners to meet students’ needs across the spectrum.

Targeted initially are high-need schools in the White Horse community: Berea, Lakeview and Tanglewood middle schools and Greenville Early College.

“We have close to 99 percent poverty,” said Latonia Copeland, principal at Lakeview. “Our students need to experience success. They bring learning deficits when they arrive here – the district has been working on that since 4K. We have a need for a network to fill in those gaps, to get them on track to graduate high school.”

Because middle school is the time when some students start losing focus on school, leading to a path toward dropping out, the OnTrack Greenville program has implemented an Early Warning and Response System in each school. Educators identify students who are at risk, based on specific markers, and act immediately to get help for them.

“We bring a network of support and intervention to the school in a coordinated fashion,” said Tobi R. Kinsell, director of OnTrack Greenville. Whether it’s mental health counseling, health care, family crisis intervention, leadership and development opportunities or summer learning, the program has a network of resources to help.

Some of the assistance was available before OnTrack Greenville, but now it is organized into a consistent network, with good communication among the partners. And it leaves the teachers and school administrators to do what they do best: teach and educate.

Copeland is already seeing some fruits of one part of the program, the BELL (Building Education Leaders for Life) summer learning program that was offered to many of the rising 6th-graders last summer. “They own their hallway and their education,” Copeland said. “They www.gsabusiness.com

An Early Warning and Response System team meets.

were successful at that, so they expect success.” Rather than losing some skill level in math and reading over the summer, these students gained on these measures.

Another part of OnTrack Greenville is teen leadership classes, which teach the students respect for each other and how to become an asset to society. With all the new resources focused on them, “the kids can see how society works around them, and ask how they can give back,” said Copeland, a 10-year veteran in middle school education. “This will change the middle school experience in a positive way.”

The Social Innovation Fund grant is one of just seven awarded across the U.S. in 2014. It supports innovative approaches to helping students succeed, while also finding out what works, evaluating it and replicating it in other school systems, Kinsell explained.

Middle school is the time when students form the habits they will carry with them, she said.

“It’s also the time they form the vision for the rest of their lives ... We want young people to see TEENS, page 14 Giving Guide: Philanthropic Opportunities

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COVER STORY COVER STORY TEENS, continued from page 13 have a vision for a happy future.”

The program has tough goals to meet, including a 25% increase in math and English/language arts proficiency, a 75% reduction in chronic absenteeism and a 50% decrease in disciplinary referrals and suspensions.

It’s a part of the United Way’s focus on creating a cycle of success. Making sure the students graduate will help build the stability of families in the future.

Copeland said that while many used to say it takes a village to raise a child, “there is no village. We’re a transient population with a lot of migrant families. It takes a network to give the kids what they need. They know the difference.”

While OnTrack Greenville is a new major program for young people, there are many others in the Upstate. Here are a few more programs: Youth Philanthropy Board, Spartanburg: This program of the United Way of the Piedmont takes 20 high school juniors and seniors from area schools and teaches them about the nonprofit community. They learn about the needs of the community and hear nonprofit leaders talk about the importance of volunteering. The board has its own grant-making program, taking requests from nonprofits with youth programs and making grants up to $1,000. The young philanthropists have developed their own survey tool so that they can get feedback from their peers on the issues that affect them.

Youth Volunteer Corps, Anderson: Young people ages 11 to 18 help out through the Youth Volunteer Corps, a program of the United Way of Anderson County in conjunction with HandsOn Anderson. The Corps, one of 30 affiliates throughout the U.S., has more than 100 members. The youth work on service projects for nonprofit agencies on Saturdays throughout the school year and participate in camps in the summer. Among the projects completed in the past year are building a wheelchair ramp, hosting birthday parties for children in the Women and Children Succeeding Program, and learning through a program on leadership and diversity.

Citizen Scholars, Spartanburg: Mentors work with disadvantaged youth from sixth grade through high school graduation to encourage their education, provide tutoring and help them succeed in life. The 20-year-old program of the Spartanburg County Foundation has connected 212 students with mentors. Of those, 74% have completed the program and been accepted into college, with 58% of those graduating. Students who complete the program are eligible for a $10,500 scholarship from the foundation. “What this program does is give hope to students who didn’t think they could go to college,” said Dr. Gloria Close, director.

Many of the students are the first in their families to attend college. The program works on skills crucial to the profile of a graduate drawn up by TransformSC: critical thinking, collaboration, communication skills. Citizenship is stressed as well as academics. Whatever a student needs, from tutoring in precalculus to help with applying for college financial aid, there’s a volunteer to provide it. Among the Citizen Scholars are two Bill Gates Millennium Award winners, one Fulbright Scholar and 14 Wofford College Bonner Scholarship recipients.

Teen Achievers, Greenville: Helping participants graduate from high school and transition to post-secondary education is the goal of Teen Achievers, a program of the YMCA of Greenville County. Staff and volunteers work with students in Greenville County high schools on raising academic standards, finding positive role models, navigating high school and recognizing and promoting achievement and excellence. “Volunteers meet with a small group of young people throughout the year,” said Mary Capers Bledsoe, executive director, SC YMCA Youth in Government/Teen Services Branch. “The goal is to get them to think about options, to help them create a road map.” Once offered after school, the program has been incorporated into the school day with good success. The program is offered in six high schools.

Youth in Government, statewide: Run through the Greenville YMCA, this signature program of the Y in the U.S. is offered statewide. Middle school and high school students take part.

The mission is to promote citizenship, servant leadership and community involvement, said Bledsoe. The students join the teacher-led club at their school and have the opportunity to participate in a model state government program in November in Columbia, a model United Nations and other events. Right now, the Youth in Government members are drawing up legislation for the state government conference. This year, “we’re seeing bills on background screening for firearm purchases,” Bledsoe said. “Sometimes it’s a really a sad reflection.”

Spartanburg Academic Movement, Spartanburg: When a Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce task force found that the county’s adult baccalaureate achievement rate was 19.2%, it got the community’s attention. After beginning an effort to focus on sending more of the county’s students to college, it became apparent a cradle to career initiative was needed.

That led to the Spartanburg Academic Movement, which involves 100 partners, including manufacturing and smaller employers, the Chamber, United Way, all seven school districts and the seven colleges in the county. SAM focuses on kindergarten readiness and college and career readiness. Other critical success points will be addressed as it moves forward. The percentage of adults with baccalaureate degrees is now 23%, but the goal is 40%.

Youth Philanthropy Board, United Way of Anderson County.

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PHILANTHROPY

Veteran Organizations: Meeting the Needs of Upstate Patriots

PHILANTHROPY PHILANTHROPY Honor Flight volunteer, WWII vet visit D.C.

Close to half a million military veterans call South Carolina home, with more than 100,000 living in the Upstate and 10,000 having served since 9/11. As the number of military veterans increases across the state, so does the demand for services.

To better meet the personal needs of these veterans, the Upstate is home to a number of key nonprofit organizations offering guidance and assistance. One involved group is the YMCA of Greenville, which offers an array of specialized programs for vets at a military discount. One popular program is Camp Greenville, where vets and their families come together for down time and outdoor challenges in the Cleveland community, north of Greenville.

“It is a great time for the family to come and play together while bonding and experiencing the outdoors,” said Jenna Johnson, summer camp director for the YMCA’s Family Military Camp weekend at Camp Greenville. “The other attendees are like families that they can connect and build relationships with by participating in hiking, zip line, arts and crafts, a climbing wall, canoeing and more.”

By retreating to the mountains, vets and their families receive a weekend for $100, with financial aid if needed.

“Before they offered my kids to attend Camp Greenville, we had never been in a position to send four kids to a summer camp that offered them the amount of activities as Camp Greenville,” said LeMario Law, who left the military as a private first class and served as an Apache helicopter mechanic. “It is not often our kids don’t want to return home when it was time, but they had such an amazing experience attending Camp Greenville.”

Another community-based organization that connects warriors and their families with resources while guiding them through the process of developing opportunities is Upstate Warrior Solution. The program encompasses four major areas: outreach and engagement, health care and benefits, education and career, housing and quality of life.

Located in Greenville with field offices in Spartanburg and Clemson, the organization is a key component in comprehensive assistance for veterans. “Upstate Warrior Solution stands

LeMario Law ready to connect with our warriors and their families, lead them through the process of self-empowerment, and inspire the community to embrace these fine men and women and assist with their transition to the home front,” said Charlie Hall, executive director. “Our veterans and warriors in this community are truly one of our greatest assets, and they are the future leaders of our community.”

The United Way of the Piedmont is a lead partner on a behavioral health initiative for veterans. They also partner with Upstate Warrior Solution to provide mentors to check in and make sure the veterans are getting the services they need.

“Through our partnership with Upstate Warrior Solution we are working to reduce those barriers to accessing care and provide comprehensive support and linkage to services for our see VETERANS, page 18

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PHILANTHROPY VETERANS, continued from page 17 military and veteran community members,� said Heather Witt, vice president of community impact, United Way of the Piedmont.

The United Way initiative also works with the local housing authorities to help veterans get vouchers for secure housing. Next year they are scheduled to add a financial stability program, with veterans as one of the target populations.

Teaming with Dollar Tree Inc. stores, Operation Homefront is another national group providing veterans support in the area. Having just completed a nationwide campaign that included the Greenville area, more than 5,000 Dollar Tree customers nationwide donated school supplies for military children. “The school supplies donated by Dollar Tree customers are an essential part of our family support program to help prepare military kids for the school year,� said Darden Blow, director of programs for Operation Homefront Carolinas’ field office. “Our terrific partnership with

CONTACTS FOR VETERANS • Greenville Health Systems: www.ghs.org • South Carolina Association of County Veterans Affairs Officers: www.sccounties.org/veterans/affairs/officers • Furman University: www2.furman.edu/academics/MilitaryScience/contactus • Brown Mackie College: www.brownmackie.edu • Upstate Warrior Solution: www.upstatewarriorsolution.org • Honoring Their Service: www.honoring-their-service.org • Yellow Ribbon Scholarships: www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/yellow_ribbon/yrp_list_2013.asp • Department of South Carolina VFW: www.vfwsc.org

Dollars Make Change

Operation Homefront School Supplies

Dollar Tree, now in our seventh year, really helps ease the financial burden that the back-toschool season can bring.�

In Spartanburg, Upstate Stand Down is inspiring hope and invigorating the will of veterans who are at risk for homelessness, already homeless or in general need. Its major goal is to provide a vast array of opportunities, services and a warm inviting person-to-person contact so each veteran can have the encouragement to make lifestyle changes to renew or rebuild their life.

Honor Flight SC flies World War II and Korean War veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials built in their honor and to feel recognition for their service. Volunteer based, the national organization has flown over 1,200 veterans to Washington since May 2008 and is solely funded by donations and implemented by volunteers offering their time to accompany a veteran on the trip. It takes $600 to send a veteran on the trip, covering their plane trip, bus transportation in Washington plus food and incidentals. “Honor Flight is a volunteer-based program that is dedicated to honoring our veterans and the sacrifices they have made to keep our nation safe, and our people free,� said Paul Howell, director, Honor Flight Upstate SC. “Working with this amazing program has changed the lives of each person involved in countless ways.�

This year’s Greenville area Veterans Affairs celebrations will take place the week of Nov. 11. Visit www.greenvillecounty.org/Veteran_Affairs/ for a schedule.

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Give hope this year Serving Greenville County since 1904

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HIGHLIGHT

SOLVING PROBLEMS by reducing teen pregnancy in Anderson County Teen pregnancy is at the root of many problems, from homelessness to unemployment to illiteracy. The Women’s Leadership Council of the United Way of Anderson County wanted to attack all these problems, and decided to start by working to reduce pregnancy among teenagers.

The Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program was born 12 years ago. It started in Anderson District 3, the Starr-Iva area, and led to an 80% decrease in teen pregnancy there.

Now, thanks to a federal grant to the S.C. Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, Anderson County will have funding to offer the program in middle schools of all five districts as well as the alternative school and New Foundations, a specialized school.

“It’s an evidence-based, scientific approach,” said Jamie Nimmo, director of strategic markets at United Way. The program starts in sixth grade and continues through seventh and eighth.

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It is abstinence-based and age-appropriate and follows the Comprehensive Health Education Act. The teachers are trained, and “the schools love it,” Nimmo said.

The program focuses on building self-esteem and making healthy choices.

It covers reproductive health curriculum and the classes are coed. An afterschool program is available for at-risk girls.

All of the Women’s Leadership Council’s donations go to help fund the pregnancy prevention program.

Since 2006, Anderson County has seen a decrease in pregnancies from 408 to 249 (2013) in the 15-19-year-old age group.

“If they get this base of healthy choices, the hope is they can make healthy choices when they become sexually active,” Nimmo said.

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YOU KNEW CANCER BREAKTHROUGHS WERE BEING MADE SOMEWHERE. NOW YOU KNOW SOMEWHERE IS HERE.

ǯ Ǥ ǯ Ǥ Ƥ ͔͗ Ǥ ǯ ǯ Ȅ ǡ Ǥ Ǥ Ȁ Ǥ

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Training the Next Nonprofit Leaders

by Licia Jackson

Shine the Light Workshop

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Grassroots Leadership Development Institute

What does it take to be a good leader in the nonprofit world?

And how do people in these roles get help along the road?

Fortunately, Upstate nonprofit organizations realize that good leaders are more likely to be made, not born. They offer an array of training, both for volunteers and nonprofit executives.

The United Way of Anderson County has teamed up with the Independent Mail newspaper to recruit young people to nonprofit leadership roles. The newspaper’s 20 Under 40 honorees are invited to go through Leadership Next, a year-long series of leadership training.

They learn alongside staff members from 10 nonprofits. At the end of the year, “each of those (nonprofits) will get the training and a new board member, a fresh-eyed leader,” explained Shannon Owen, chief operating officer of United Way of Anderson County. Each also receives a $1,000 grant.

Shine the Light, an annual series of educational workshops, is offered to nonprofit leaders and volunteers from the Upstate and beyond. The workshops are presented by DNA Creative Communications in partnership with the Community Foundation of Greenville, the United Way of Greenville County and the Hollingsworth Funds. Other partners are the Jolley Foundation, the Daniel-Mickel Foundation and the Graham Foundation.

Operating a public relations and marketing firm for nonprofits, Debbie Nelson of DNA saw what the organizations’ needs were. “We wanted to develop a training program to help them build their capacity,” she said.

The first Shine the Light training began six years ago. Since then, from 1,300 to 1,500 people from 350-375 nonprofit organizations have been trained, Nelson said. Sometimes, speakers come from South Carolina, but other times they are nationally known. Susan Meier, a well-known expert on board governance and development, is the speaker at two events this year.

The workshops are designed to encourage strategic thinking but also result in an action plan, Nelson said. The new ideas are designed to be executable, and participants walk away with some tools to use.

In Spartanburg, several leadership training initiatives are coordinated through the Spartanburg County Foundation. Highly recognized is the Grassroots Leadership Development Institute, a seven-month training program to help leaders in the community learn to organize and promote positive change.

“It gave folks the tools they need,” said Mary Thomas, chief operating officer of the foundation. “It’s the old adage, ‘if you give a person a fish, you feed him for a day; if you teach him to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.’”

The foundation’s funders were interested in developing skills among leaders in neighborhoods, public housing and other community-level groups, Thomas said. They might not be perceived as leaders, but they were the people who made things happen.

“When you give them the tools and resources, they become powerful assets,” Thomas said.

The sustainability of the project comes from a partnership with the City of Spartanburg, which saw the results and began collaborating with the foundation. The Grassroots graduates www.gsabusiness.com

have gone on to get parks built, clean up older neighborhoods, bring programs for young people in public housing.

Now there is an alumni association, which helps connect with the larger community.

“It’s such a diverse group of folks, by thought, age and race,” said Troy Hanna, president and CEO of the foundation. “It really allows blind spots or barriers to be removed. It’s very promising Healthy Organization Institute to me.”

Two other training programs of the Spartanburg County Foundation are Nonprofit Connect and the Healthy Organization Institute.

Nonprofit Connect offers monthly one-hour sessions on such topics as public speaking, strategic planning and conflict resolution. The sessions target nonprofit organizations’ staff and board members. The lunchtime training sessions are free, and sharing of needs and strategy are encouraged.

The Healthy Organization Institute offers more intensive training for an organization’s executive director and board chair. Thomas said that the foundation had been having nonprofits coming in and asking to be rescued to keep from shutting their doors.

The foundation decided to build the organizations’ capacity on the front end so that they would be sustainable. “That board chair and executive director hear the same message about building an engaged board, strategic planning and not duplicating services in the community,” Hanna said.

The Healthy Organization Institute is a partnership of the Mary Black Foundation, the United Way of the Piedmont, the Spartanburg Regional Foundation, USC Upstate’s George Dean Johnson Jr. College of Business and Economics and the Spartanburg County Foundation.

Participants attend an all-day program monthly for five months before graduating.

Another leadership offering, the Center for Nonprofit Excellence is a partnership between the United Way of Anderson County and SCANPO (S.C. Association of Nonprofit Organizations).

The program brings in training for local nonprofit leaders and board members, Owen said.

Also for nonprofit board members, the United Way of the Piedmont conducts quarterly boardmanship training on ethics, roles and responsibilities. It educates the board members that “they are responsible for what happens in the agency,” said Heather Witt, vice president of community impact.

Another initiative of this United Way is a Safety Net Council, which brings in speakers to help nonprofit agencies plan for hard times. It got started when a nonprofit serving mentally disabled people, New Day Clubhouse, burned to the ground. A seminar on disaster preparedness aimed at the needs of nonprofits is offered.

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HIGHLIGHT

Angel Flight Soars

provides free medical air travel

By Nike Kern Having coordinated more than 1,500 missions for South Carolina families to more than 100 medical facilities, Angel Flight Soars arranges free air transportation for people who need air travel to receive lifesaving medical treatment. The group serves patients who don’t have the financial means or have geographic obstacles.

Angel Flight Soars operates in North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee, via volunteer pilots, their aircraft, fuel and landing fees.

This not-for-profit organization coordinates seven flights every day of the week. The average patient is flown on three to four missions.

In 2014, the organization completed 2,584 missions. Coordinated out of the headquarters in Georgia and having grown throughout the south, Angel Flight’s South Carolina hub was established in 1983 at the Greenwood County Airport and it is now one of the top three states served.

Brayden Bateman was diagnosed at 2 years old with retinoblastoma, an eye cancer.

To date he has flown on 34 Angel Flight missions back and forth from Greenville to Philadelphia to be treated at Wills Eye Hospital and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. For a period, his trips were every three weeks with two Angel Flight volunteer pilots flying Brayden and his family, changing planes in Virginia, where Angel Flight volunteers coordinated connecting flights with other program pilots.

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“After meeting with his oncologist in Philly, we knew that we would have to figure out alternative travel arrangements for Brayden’s treatment and follow-up care,” said Sabra Bateman, Brayden’s mother. “That is when the social worker at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia suggested we contact Angel Flight.” Immediately responding, Angel Flight has been flying the Batemans back and forth to Philadelphia since 2009.

As part of Angel Flight’s coordination and implementation, the volunteer network lifts a financial burden from families in addition to helping relieve the emotional toll. “The gift of air travel they have given Brayden and our family has allowed us to focus on his treatment and recovery instead of having the additional worry of how we would get to Philly for treatment,” says Bateman. “This is a gift we will always be grateful for.”

With the patients’ ages ranging from newborn to 97, last year Angel Flight touched the lives of people in 33 states and Mexico. Since 1983 more than 25,000 mission flights have been flown for patients in need in the Southeast alone. In addition to flying the medically challenged, Angel Flight Soars also flies organ transplant missions, trips for Wounded Warriors and their families plus disaster relief missions.

For more information go online to angelflightsoars.org or call (877) 426-2643.

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HIGHLIGHT

SCANPO Summit in Spartanburg The 2016 Nonprofit Summit of SCANPO (S.C. Association of Nonprofit Organizations) will take place March 9-11 at the Downtown Marriott in Spartanburg. The program includes tours of nonprofit organizations and a reception at the Chapman Cultural Center.

Speakers are Leslie Crutchfield of Forces for Good; Wes Moore, founder of BridgeEdU; and Bill Barnet, successful CEO and former mayor of Spartanburg. To register, go to http://www.scanpo.org/ nonprofit-summit-2016/.

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Spartanburg County has first online giving day On May 5, the Spartanburg County Foundation held its first online countywide giving day, Support Spartanburg County.

The 12-hour event was held in conjunction with other giving days across the country. A total of $326,111.89 was distributed to 71 local nonprofit organizations throughout Spartanburg County. On Tuesday, May 3, 2016, the Spartanburg County Foundation will once again host Support Spartanburg County.

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Nonprofit SPOTLIGHTS 26

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The way a community gives tells a lot about its heart.

In the Upstate, we are blessed with so many nonprofit organizations that are supported by our residents. These organizations meet the needs of our community, from health care to education to financial help and beyond.

This section helps you learn more about them.

The following Upstate nonprofits are featured in this section: 29.......DonorsChoose.org 31.......Julie Valentine Center 33.......Greenville County First Steps 35.......Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Upstate of South Carolina 37.......Loaves and Fishes 39.......Spartanburg County First Steps

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FOR USE ON WHITE OR LIGHT GREY (#FAFAFA) BACKGROUNDS

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

MISSION STATEMENT DonorsChoose.org engages the public in public schools by giving people a simple, accountable and personal way to address educational inequity.

We envision a nation where children in every community have the tools and experiences needed for an excellent education.

FOR USE ON DCORANGE (#EF5F3C) OR BLACK (#424242) BACKGROUNDS ONLY

• During the holiday season, Google shared their space with DonorsChoose.org on their billboard in Times Square, the largest digital screen in North America.

Name of your organization: Julie Valentine Center Year established locally: 2005

• DonorsChoose.org was named the 2015 NonProfit Times’ No. 1 Best Place to Work in our category (medium sized nonprofits).

Top local executive: Missy Sherburne, Chief Partnerships Officer

• For the first time in 15 years, DonorsChoose.org expanded its model to allow students in grades 7-12 to work with their teachers to create their own project requests on DonorsChoose.org.

Contact information: 134 W. 37th Street New York, NY 10018 213-239-3615 ext: 265 Website: www.DonorsChoose.org

• Since 2000, DonorsChoose.org has helped provide over $355 million worth of learning resources to benefit 15.7 million students in more than 64,000 schools across the United States.

Average number of volunteers in 2015: 90 Total operating budget (2015-2016): $12.3 million Percent of revenue dedicated to program services: 92.8%

2016 Goals: • To fundraise $45 million in donations from corporate and foundation partners through powerful partnerships.

Geographic area or specific population served: K-12 public schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, including public charter school

• To fundraise $45 million in donations from citizen philanthropists through online donations.

Greatest need: Highest poverty schools (65%+ free or reduced lunch)

• In the next two years, we hope to activate 20,000 additional highest poverty schools in order to reach 100% of the schools with the greatest need.

2015 Top achievements: Locally: • During our 2015 Partner Summit in May, board member Stephen Colbert took the stage to make a surprise announcement for the teachers of his home state of South Carolina: Every project in the state had been fully funded using the proceeds from the sale of his Colbert Report set and generous matching funds from ScanSource and the Morgridge Family Foundation.

• Since 2005, DonorsChoose.org has helped provide $7.2 million worth of learning resources to benefit more than 380,000 students in 1,228 schools across South Carolina. A total of $753,000 of this funding went directly to Greenville County Schools.

Nationally: • We ordered materials for the 500,000th project to reach full funding on our site.

• We processed and delivered 1,000 donor thank-you packages in one day, our record to date.

Fundraising events: DonorsChoose.org does not organize any fundraising events.

Corporate giving opportunities: DonorsChoose.org works with companies and foundations to create powerful and innovative partnerships to help fund resources for classrooms across the United States.

• Gift cards invite customers and employees to become micro-philanthropists and pick classroom projects to fund.

• Match offers double the impact of your company’s donation by half-funding projects meeting eligibility criteria specified, ranging from school location to subject matter, engaging citizen philanthropists to fund the remaining half of the projects.

• Promo codes double donations and inspire employees, customers or the community to give to projects by creating a phrase that anyone can enter to activate a company’s matching funds.

• Custom integration (API) allows you to seamlessly incorporate classroom project requests into your company’s website or application using your own criteria, layout and branding, creating a completely customized experience and enabling people to support classroom projects without ever leaving your site.

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NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

MISSION STATEMENT The Mission of Julie Valentine Center (JVC) is to stop sexual violence and child abuse and the impact of these crimes through prevention, collaboration, treatment and advocacy. We work to provide services that stop child abuse and sexual assault before it happens; to reduce trauma and re-establish safety for victims and their families; and to engage survivors in the healing process through compassionate, comprehensive treatment. All services are offered at no cost to the Center’s clients.

Name of your organization: Julie Valentine Center

students participated in our school-based educational programs teaching them personal safety and about healthy relationships. 124 sexual assault victims were offered support in our local Emergency Rooms. We helped 415 victims through hotline calls, conducted 459 forensic interviews and 154 medical exams. 373 adults and children received individual and group therapy services giving them the opportunity to work through the healing process from victim to survivor.

2016 Goals: Develop a coordinated community response to commercial sexual exploitation of children in the 13th circuit; expand services to the Hispanic community; implement Triple P Parenting curriculum; continue to build relationships with colleges and universities to address campus assault, title 9 compliance and train campus peer advocates.

Year established locally: 1990 Top local executive: Shauna Galloway Williams, Executive Director Contact information: 2905 White Horse Road, Greenville, SC 29605 864.331.0560 Fax: 864.331.0565 Website: www.julievalentinecenter.org Corporate giving contacts: Robin Longino, Development Director 2905 White Horse Road Greenville, SC 29605 864.331.0560 ext. 228 rlongino@julievalentinecenter.org

Fundraising events: The Julie Valentine Center Luncheon, to be held on February 11, 2016 at the TD Convention Center, is our largest annual fundraiser. The guest speaker is Monika Korra, who at the age of 18 moved from Norway to Dallas, TX on a track scholarship with SMU. During her sophomore year she was kidnapped at gunpoint and gang raped by three men. After assisting with the convictions of her 3 assailants, Monika turned tragedy into a message of survival and hope for anyone who suffered through trauma or setbacks.

She founded the Monika Korra foundation with a mission to Kill the Silence surrounding rape and abuse in society and make it possible for survivors to seek the help needed for complete healing. Monika’s book of the same name “Kill the Silence” was released this fall. We are seeking sponsors. Reserved tables are $500 and individual tickets are $50.

Average number of volunteers in 2015: 275 Total operating budget (2015-2016): $1,309,935 Percent of revenue dedicated to program services: 81% Geographic area or specific population served: We serve Greenville and Pickens counties.

Greatest need: Our greatest need is to continue to build community support and expand our reach to meet the needs of our clients. Although many know who we are and what we do, there are still so many who do not. Another great need is to raise community awareness of the issues and the need thereby breaking down myths about sexual assault and child abuse that continue to perpetuate a culture that continues to blame victims.

2015 Top achievements: This year we launched our first Church Leaders For Children Conference, a training designed to assist leaders in the faith-based community in recognizing and responding to cases of child abuse and sexual assault. Our partnership with the Greenville County school district and participating in Erin’s law training and mandated reporter training taught teachers how to report and keep kids safe. 9,222

Run2Overcome will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2016. This certified 5k, 10k and kids fun run was started in support of a 19 year old woman who was sexually assaulted and severely beaten while jogging on June 8, 2008 around her neighborhood. Julie Valentine Center has continued this run/walk each year to assist others who have experienced sexual assault. Registration opens in the Spring at www.run2overcome.org Corporate giving opportunities: Sponsorships are available for the Julie Valentine Luncheon ranging from $1,000$20,000. Sponsorships are also available for Run2Overcome ranging from $250$15,000. Direct monetary donations to Julie Valentine Center of all amounts can also be made to support our programs and clients that we serve. We also have a wish list of ongoing items needed for our clients to include event tickets, gift cards for gas and household items, individually packaged snacks/drinks, new women’s sweatsuits, undergarments and shoes for sexual assault victims in the ER. The complete list can be found on our website.

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NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

MISSION STATEMENT Our mission is to facilitate a collaborative community partnership for measurably improving the early childhood development of all children in Greenville County.

Name of your organization: Greenville First Steps Year established locally: 1999

2016 Goals: • Increase corporate involvement in Read Greenville, a community wide literacy campaign

Top local executive: Derek Lewis, Executive Director Contact information: 24 Cleveland St., Greenville, SC 29601 864-239-3720 Website: www.greenvillefirststeps.org

• Expand services to assist childcare centers in SC opperate more efficiently and save money

Corporate giving contacts: Anne Lee Buck, Community Engagement Director 24 Cleveland St. Greenville, SC 29601 864-239-3758 E-mail: annelee@greenvillefirststeps.org

• Read Greenville Sponsorship Opportunities-Year Round

Average number of volunteers in 2015: 100 Total operating budget (2015-2016): $1,245,877 Percent of revenue dedicated to program services: 96% Geographic area or specific population served: Children 0-5 in Greenville County Greatest need: Greenville First Steps wants parents to know they are their child’s first and most important teacher. We hope to build a community where investment in early childhood and literacy is a priority for families, neighborhoods, and businesses alike.

• Hardback Sponsor: $2,000

Fundraising events • Walk for Prevention-Celebrating Child Abuse Prevention Month, April 2016

Corporate giving opportunities: Sponsorship opportunities with Read Greenville. Help Greenville First Steps spread the word about the importance of reading daily. Visit www.ReadGreenville.com for details • First Edition Sponsor: $4,000 • Paperback Sponsor: $1,000 • Board Book Sponsor: $500

2015 Top achievements: • Launched Read Greenville, a community wide program designed to help spread the word about the importance of reading daily • Spearheaded the collaboration of over 350 community partners in the Upstate to increase awareness of Child Abuse Prevention month • Awarded over $400,000 in scholarships for low-income children to attend high quality childcare

Contact us to explore how your business can implement and support the strategies of:

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NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

MISSION STATEMENT To present to coaches and athletes, and all whom they influence, the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the church.

Name of your organization: Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Upstate of South Carolina

Greatest need: Donors who are willing to provide support to the FCA ministry team in their local areas on a monthly basis. This will provide the local FCA staff with a steady flow of resources which will enable them to focus on consistent ministry to and through coaches in their area.

Year established locally: 1990 Top local executive: Tim Steele, Area Director, Greenville County

2015 Top achievements: Our Keys to Victory for the fiscal year just completed.

• Coaches Huddles: 35 • Campus Huddles: 257 • Community Huddles: 11 • Coaches & Athletes to FCA Camp: 1,599

Contact information: PO Box 27033, Greenville, SC 29616 (864) 238-1759 Corporate giving contacts: John Claterbos, Office Manager, Upstate SC FCA PO Box 202, Gaffney, SC 29342 (864) 491-8766 E-mail: JClaterbos@fca.org Average number of volunteers in 2015: Hundreds of volunteers assist in our ministry every year supporting our staff throughout the 14 counties of the Upstate of SC. Total operating budget (2015-2016): Combined operating budget for the 14 counties of the Upstate for our current FY 2014-15 (9/1/2014 to 8/31/15) was $2,186,422. Our FY2015-2016 goal is $2,185,410.

2016 Goals: Our Keys to Victory Goals for FY2015-2016: • Coaches Huddles: 63 • Campus Huddles: 272 • Community Huddles: 44 • Coaches & Athletes to FCA camps: 1,807 Fundraising events: There are too many local FCA events to list. Go to http://carolinasfcacamps.org for a list of major events in the Carolinas this year.

Percent of revenue dedicated to program services: 89% goes to support of local ministry and 11% goes to national office for HR, IT and marketing support.

Geographic area or specific population served: The following counties in the Upstate of SC: Chester, Lancaster, York, Cherokee, Union, Spartanburg, Greenville, Laurens, Abbeville, Greenwood, McCormick, Anderson, Pickens and Oconee.

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Rescuing and delivering fresh food to the hungry daily.

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NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

MISSION STATEMENT Loaves & Fishes rescues and delivers fresh food to the hungry daily.

• Loaves & Fishes is the only food rescue rescuing and delivering prepared and perishable foods.

• Loaves & Fishes closely matches and monitors the food donations we receive to the needs of each individual agency.

Name of your organization: Loaves & Fishes Year established locally: 1991 Top local executive: Paulette Dunn

We rely on the data we gather monthly from our partner agency reports to assess our impact. We require each agency to complete a monthly report on our web based reporting system. In 2014:

Contact information: 25 Woods Lake Road, Ste. 810 Greenville, SC 29607 864-232-3595 Fax: 864-235-7722 Website: www.loavesandfishesgreenville.org

• Loaves & Fishes food donations assisted in serving 251,00 individuals • Approximately 190,000 of those individuals served were ages 19-39 • Loaves & Fishes referred over 150,000 calls to other community resources • 75% of the agencies we serve are located in local income, high poverty neighborhoods • More than 89% of our budget is spent rescuing and delivering food • Loaves & Fishes collaborates not only with 94 human service agencies and food donors, but also with Furman University, Livewell, Mill Village Farms and Harvest Hope Food Bank.

Corporate giving contacts: 25 Woods Lake Road, Ste. 810 Greenville, SC 29607 864-232-3595 Fax: 864-235-7722 Website: www.loavesandfishesgreenville.org

Fundraising events: Our major fundraisers’ dates may vary slightly year to year depending on school calendars and other area events, so please check our website for details. We always need event volunteers and sponsors!

Average number of volunteers in 2015: Approx. 150

• CROP Hunger Walk at Furman University – walk to benefit both Loaves & Fishes local hunger relief efforts, and international hunger relief efforts through Church World Services.

This event typically takes place in the first quarter of the year.

Percent of revenue dedicated to program services: Over 89% of our revenue is dedicated to program services.

Geographic area or specific population served: Greenville County Greatest need: Loaves & Fishes’ greatest need is, as all other non-profits, operational funding. We certainly are in need of volunteers too on an ongoing basis for multiple things such as: project-based volunteers, event committee volunteers and rescue route volunteers.

Top achievements: Loaves & Fishes rescued 1.8 million pounds of food in 2014, the equivalent to about 284 of our trucks full of food!

Some facts you may not know. . . Loaves & Fishes is unique.

• We do not warehouse food – we deliver what we receive the same day ensuring the food does not have a chance to be wasted • We do not charge for pick up or delivery.

• Food is rescued and typically utilized the same day or shortly thereafter.

• Taste of the Upstate – is our largest fundraiser and it boasts tastings from Greenville’s most celebrated chefs. It is a themed event including musical entertainment, live and silent auctions. This event typically takes place in the second quarter of the year.

• Rock Out Hunger – is a concert and food! This fun filled event takes place in the third quarter in an amphitheater setting.

Corporate giving opportunities: Loaves & Fishes has numerous sponsorship opportunities which are customized for your company’s needs. Please visit our website for details or call 864-232-3595.

Should you choose to make a donation to help assist someone who may have an empty plate this Thanksgiving, feel free to do so via mail to Loaves & Fishes / 25 Woods Lake Road, Ste. 810, Greenville, SC 29607 or securely online at www.loavesandfishesgreenville.org

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First Steps for the walk of life.

For young children to develop socially, emotionally and intellectually, they must live in an environment that fosters their growth. Consequently, our programs and activities focus not only on meeting the needs for the individual development of children birth to 5 years of age, but also on strengthening adult’s skills and the overall health of their families. In support of our mission, we provide programs and services for at-risk children and their families. Through collaborative efforts, we continue to strengthen and expand services.

SPARTANBURG COUNT Y

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NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT SPARTANBURG COUNT Y

MISSION STATEMENT Spartanburg County First Steps will be the engine to drive collaboration, partnership, effective resource utilization and funding to prepare children to be ready for school.

Early Head Start

Name of your organization: Spartanburg County First Steps Year established locally: 2000 Top local executive: Carolyn Brooks, Director Contact information: 900 South Pine Street Spartanburg, SC 29302 (864) 327-4900 Fax: (864) 327-4910 Website: www.1steps.org

2015 Top achievements: Spartanburg County First Steps, Early Head Start was awarded the Federal Childcare Partnership Grant.

40 % of Spartanburg County Child Care Centers are participating in the Quality Counts program… Quality Improvement Star Rating System.

2016 Goals: To raise awareness for the importance of Quality Childcare and early childhood development. To obtain funding to aid childcare centers to move to action. To increase the number of programs participating in the Quality Counts program.

Average number of volunteers in 2015: 50 Total operating budget (2015-2016): $4.5 million Percent of revenue dedicated to program services: 85% Geographic area or specific population served: Children ages Birth to 5 years old in Spartanburg County Greatest needs: Spartanburg County First Steps is in need of funding for equipment and furnishings to support Quality childcare environments. Funding is also needed to support Quality training and enhancements for teachers as well as technical assistance for childcare centers to monitor that Quality is being maintained.

Fundraising events: Spartanburg County First Steps is a nonprofit agency that relies solely on grant funding, private and local foundation funding. No fundraising events have been held to support this agency.

Corporate giving opportunities: To date we do not receive any corporate donor funding. Our programs to assist Child Care Centers and Teachers could certainly benefit from corporate giving and or sponsorship.

Corporate giving opportunities would include: Sponsoring a classroom to support equipment and furnishings to ensure Quality childcare environments. Sponsoring trainings or seminars for early childcare teachers to enhance their knowledge and skills. Funding for technical support to ensure maintence of Quality in Childcare Centers.

“A champion of the young children in Spartanburg County, Quality Counts is an initiative that supports continuous quality improvement in early care and education programs with the goal that ALL children will arrive at school prepared for kindergarten success.”

­– Carolyn Brooks, Executive Director, Spartanburg County First Steps

www.gsabusiness.com

Giving Guide: Philanthropic Opportunities

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Giving Guide: Philanthropic Opportunities

www.gsabusiness.com