Community Matters Feb 2006

C O M M U N I T Y

MATTERS T H E W I N S T O N - S A L E M F O U N D AT I O N

Community Newsletter | Febr uary 2006

The Evolution of ECHO FOR FIVE YEARS, the Foundation has been working to build social capital in our community. It started as a grants initiative with the creation of the ECHO Fund in 1999, but has evolved into much more. In 1999, the Foundation committed $2.5 million to building social capital over five years, and in June 2005, the five-year milestone was reached.

During its journey to understand social capital and what it looks like for our community, the Foundation came to understand the importance of recognizing organizations that were building social capital by awarding grants.

We also came to recognize the value of contributions of individuals who were building social capital. We created the ECHO Awards and, over the last five years, 25 individuals or informal groups have received the award for their innovative commitment to building trust – the essential ingredient of social capital.

Approximately two years ago, the Foundation started the process of creating a diverse, inclusive leadership group that was charged with continuing to build social capital and strengthening our community’s social capi-

tal weaknesses. The group is the ECHO Council. The ECHO Council was officially announced to the community at an ECHO Celebration on November 15, 2005.

The Foundation and the ECHO Council will work closely together as partners in the continued building of social capital in our community. Currently, we are working together to repeat the social capital survey; the first one in 1999–2000 revealed our community’s social capital strengths and weaknesses. The second survey will determine the community’s progress on strengthening social capital. The Foundation remains committed to seeing our community’s social capital grow.

We anticipate that you will be hearing exciting things about the work of this group. They are already working with community volunteers to create a new volunteer center and to develop leadership opportunities for diverse residents. If you would like to learn more about the ECHO Council, or learn how you can become a part of their work, visit the Foundation’s homepage at www.wsfoundation.org and click on “Discover the ECHO Council.”

CONNECTIONS AMONG PEOPLE, BASED ON

CALL 336-725-2382. WINNERS WILL

TRUST, THAT ENHANCE COOPERATION FOR

BE ANNOUNCED AT THE FOUNDATION’S

MUTUAL BENEFIT.

COMMUNITY MEETING THIS SPRING.

THE ECHO COUNCIL WANT TO HONOR

TO NOMINATE AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP

ALL ECHO NOMINATIONS MUST BE

PEOPLE AND GROUPS THAT ARE BUILDING

FOR AN ECHO AWARD, PLEASE VISIT OUR

RECEIVED BY 5:00 PM ON FRIDAY

SOCIAL CAPITAL. SOCIAL CAPITAL IS

WEBSITE AT WWW.WSFOUNDATION.ORG, OR

MARCH 3, 2006.

2006 ECHO NOMINATION REMINDER THE WINSTON-SALEM FOUNDATION AND

2005 ECHO AWARD WINNERS — MAKING A DIFFERENCE THAT REVERBERATES MARIA ARISTIZÁBAL — A valuable trait in a social capital-builder is civic leadership. Maria demonstrates broad civic leadership via her involvement with YMCA’s Community Outreach Services where she is program director. She has gone above and beyond her duties at the Y to see that the lives of Hispanic children and families are enriched by opportunities such as the Hispanic Achievers Program, a program that she helped create.

She is also a member of the ECHO Council and works diligently so that her connectedness benefits our community.

JAN DETTER — Associational involvement is an important dimension of social capital, and Jan has demonstrated it with her involvement as a volunteer with schools, local universities, and various nonprofits. She originated Habitat for Humanity’s BirdFest, has

Care Clinic, and teaches part-time as an English as a Second Language instructor at Forsyth Tech.

T. SHAREE FOWLER — Sharee has demonstrated her dedication to the community through three important social capital dimensions: civic leadership, associational involvement, and active politics.

Her participation with groups such as C.H.A.N.G.E. and Green Street United Methodist Church has been valuable because these groups work 2005 ECHO AWARD WINNERS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: ANDREA DEMPSEY, to build bridges LOUISE HARRIS, MARIA ARISTIZÁBAL, MARIAN ANDERSON-BOOKER, in the communiFLORENCE CORPENING, ROBIN ERVIN, MARY DICKINSON, SANDY ty. Through her STINSON, T. SHAREE FOWLER, DEE BEST, AVA SMITH-PEGUES, AND JAN employment with DETTER Family Services,

served on Habitat’s board, and volunteers at Habitat ReStore.

As an artist, Jan works to infuse every aspect of her profession with social capital-building characteristics. She uses her civic leadership skills to co-lead the Volunteerism Team of the ECHO Council and inspires others to get involved and contribute to the community through their own unique talents.

MARY DICKINSON — Our community can especially benefit from activities that increase our interracial trust, a dimension of social capital in which we are low. Mary’s efforts to build social capital have focused on building interracial trust and diversity of friendships through the Crossing 52 initiative.

Through Crossing 52, Mary has helped organize community dinners that bring diverse participants to the table and involve youth in various contests to spark their thinking about racial and cultural issues in the community. Mary is also committed to helping the immigrant population navigate local systems and resources, and volunteers as a translator at the Community

Sharee coordinates the Domestic Violence Community Council and she has used her job-related expertise as a volunteer for the United Way on one of their Impact Councils.

Sharee also volunteers with the YWCA’s Stop Racism Youth Council and North Winston CDC. SISTERS UNDIVIDED — THE NEXT LEVEL — This diverse group of women reveals the importance of informal socializing, diversity of friendships, and social and interracial trust. A continuation of the YWCA’s Sisters Undivided program, this group of nine women socialize and share many activities together which result in a collection of rich friendships and long-lasting bonds. Their diversity in age, race, and profession has demonstrated how differences can enrich our lives rather than being a barrier. The Next Level group is an example of both bonding social capital among women and bridging social capital across their many differences.

Battling Hunger By Teaching Nutrition MORE THAN 1 MILLION PEOPLE go hungry in North

up” on less nutritious foods in an effort to stretch limited fam-

Carolina, including nearly 400,000 children.

ily budgets. “We have an abundance of fresh produce available

According to one of the most recent studies from the

for distribution daily but in order for partner agencies to better

USDA, North Carolina is one of the few states that has an

utilize these nutritious items, they need assistance from the

increasing rate of food insecurity — defined as the inability,

nutritional educator.”

because of financial constraints, to consistently obtain food of sufficient quantity or quality for an active and healthy life.

The assumption is often made that those who struggle

The new nutritional educator fields many questions from partner agencies and produces a nutrition column in the organization’s monthly partner agency newsletter. Recipes for nutri-

with hunger are unemployed. The truth is

tious ideas are now

that greater and greater numbers of work-

included with food

ing North Carolinians struggle to feed

items that are dis-

their families. In response, the Second

tributed, and are

Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North

available in both

Carolina is growing, responding not only

English and

to the increasing need for food but also to

Spanish.

Partner agencies

nutritional needs.

served by Second

With a grant from the Foundation, Second Harvest Food Bank has added a

Harvest Food Bank

nutritional educator, Allie McCullum, to

are as diverse as the

its staff to work with the organization’s 370 plus partner agencies. McCullum

ALLIE MCCALLUM, NUTRITIONAL EDUCATOR AT THE SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF NORHTWEST NC (FAR RIGHT) SPEAKS

people they serve and include pro-

previously worked with the Rockingham

TO REPRESENTATIVES OF PRODIGALS COMMUNITY, A PARTNER

grams serving the

County Public Health Department as a

AGENCY.

elderly, children, families, the home-

nutritionist, as well as Sue Lynn Residential Services, a partner agency of the Second Harvest

less, victims of domestic violence and others. Each population

Food Bank.

has its own set of nutritional needs that must be addressed. The

Nan Griswold, executive director of the Second Harvest Food Bank, noted that many needy families and children “fill

nutritional educator helps partner agencies design healthier approaches to feeding their clients.

“The assumption is often made that those who struggle with hunger are unemployed.”

C O M M U N I T Y M AT T E R S [ 2 – 3 ]

Be reMARKable WE ALL HAVE A STORY TO TELL. If I were to read your life’s story, what would it say? What was your joy? What was your pain? Who touched your life? More important, who’s life did you touch? When people ask me what would I like to achieve in life, my answer is simple: I want to be pencil. I want to leave my mark on the world, but let my mistakes be easy to erase. I’m here to tell you that you can be a pencil, too.

As your life story is being written, there are three questions that develop the story line: “How did you help yourself?”, “How did you help your family?” and “How did you help your fellow man?” For most people, it can be expected that you will try to help yourself and your family. However, it is “how you helped your fellow man” that will make your story interesting.

There are many people in your community that need your help. The giving of your time, talents, and treasures goes a long way in helping those in need. These are actions that help you make your mark. But if you truly desire to be a pencil, then consider funding an endowment and using The WinstonSalem Foundation as your personal “pencil sharpener.”

The Winston-Salem Foundation connects people who care with causes that matter. An endowment is a permanent fund where the investment earnings are used to support a

Everyone in the community may not get to know your story, but we can all feel its impact when you fund an endowment through The Winston-Salem Foundation.

The Foundation can accept gifts of any size to support general charitable efforts as well as specific causes. The Foundation has a long and proud history, and is committed to embracing the contributions of individuals from diverse backgrounds, beliefs, experiences, and perspectives. Because they are the “pencil sharpener,” the Foundation helps to ensure that the marks you make are clearly recognized and appreciated for generations to come.

Besides the financial help, all that those in need really want is to know that someone cares. It is the constant and repeated act of caring that can change a community. Aristotle once said that “excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly.

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” I challenge each of you to develop your excellence in caring. Be a pencil, make your mark, and support your community by creating an endowment at The Winston-Salem Foundation.

designated or general cause. At the Foundation, you can contribute to the general fund or set up an endowment to honor a family member, your church, or your favorite charitable organization.

We often read the headlines about people who have made a substantial gift to some worthy cause. Because of the atten-

DANNY FREEMAN IS A FINANCIAL ADVISOR WITH DARDA WEALTH MANAGEMENT AND AUTHOR OF THE BOOK, “BUILDING WEALTH THROUGH SPIRITUAL HEALTH.”

tion that is given, we have been conditioned to think that it takes a large gift to make a difference. The beautiful thing about being a pencil is that the marks you will make can be big or small, but the impact will be felt just the same. Once your story is finally told, it can be a story that will last forever.

“Be a pencil, make your mark, and support your community by creating an endowment at The Winston-Salem Foundation.”

SEEDING SUPPORT FOR TOMORROW’S GARDENS THE WINSTON-SALEM GARDEN CLUB COUNCIL is leaving an impression on our community not only through their beautification efforts, but by creating a scholarship for a Forsyth County horticulture or landscaping student.

Comprised of 38 clubs and approximately 1,000 members in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County area, the Council determined that a scholarship with The Winston-Salem Foundation was a good match for fulfilling their goals of furthering community beautification. Joyce Adams, Council board member and chair of the scholarship fund committee, noted, “We decided to create an endowed scholarship as a way to create a legacy for the Council and as a way to give back to the community through something that is important to us: horticulture and beautification.”

“We decided to allow the Foundation to manage the selection of scholarship recipients in order to avoid conflicts of interest in the future,” added Adams. Each year a student from Forsyth County will be awarded the scholarship through an

The Council began the fund with $25,000 that came from membership dues and profits from their boutique in Reynolda Village. They planned to add to the fund through a fundraiser held in May. The House and Garden Tour featured homes in Old Salem and offered attendees a unique look into the private homes and gardens in the area. The profits from this event will be split between the scholarship fund and maintenance of the Single Brothers Garden in Old Salem.

application process.

Katrina Inspires Storms of Generosity

WHAT WOULD BRING YOU TO A CENTER FOR SOCIAL CAPITAL? THE FOUNDATION IS CONSIDERING DEVELOPING A CENTER FOR SOCIAL CAPITAL IN DOWNTOWN WINSTON-SALEM. IT IS

AS THE GULF COAST was devastated by hurricanes last Fall, Foundation donors generously shared their resources with people in need. Over $170,000 has been sent to organizations

ENVISIONED AS A HOME FOR THE FOUNDATION, AND MUCH

working with Katrina relief efforts by donor advisors.

Organizations receiving the funds include those dealing with immediate need such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army,

OF OUR COMMUNITY.

and Second Harvest Food Bank, as well as those dealing with the long-term rebuilding of the Gulf Coast region such as our fellow community foundations in the area.

Thank you to the many donors who have made such generous contributions. We also encourage you to remember our local nonprofit community which will also be wrestling with

MORE THAN THAT. WE ENVISION A CENTER . . . WITH A STRONG SENSE OF PLACE . . . THAT FEELS LIKE THE HEART

NOW WE WANT TO ASK YOU: WHAT WOULD BRING YOU TO SUCH A PLACE? GO TO

WWW.WSFOUNDATION.ORG AND LET US

KNOW WHAT YOU THINK. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

financial challenges due to tragic world events.

C O M M U N I T Y M AT T E R S [ 4 – 5 ]

Visionary Leadership Awards for Flow and Schindler IN OCTOBER THE FOUNDATION awarded Don Flow and Andy Schindler with the 2005 Winston-Salem Foundation Award. The Award is given to those who have made significant contributions to our community and demonstrated visionary leadership, particularly within the last year.

The Foundation recognized both Flow and Schindler for their leadership, social capital sharing, and working for the good of the greater community.

ANDREW SCHINDLER — For recognizing the leadership opportunity and galvanizing the Winston-Salem Alliance to enable both long-term and immediate action; For engaging more people in community leadership and bringing together the corporate and education communities; For playing a pivotal role in

DON FLOW — For his visionary work in economic development in the Winston-Salem area and his leadership in building a coalition of community members; For using his personal social capital to build relationships between Dell and the community which resulted in new economic growth in our community; For imparting the understanding that in order for the entire community to benefit, the entire community needs to be involved in the process; For continually working to bring new and exciting ideas to fruition to make our community vibrant.

moving the Winston-Salem Alliance to the next level and helping the broader

NIZED AS THE 2005 WINSTON-SALEM FOUNDATION

community prepare for attracting,

AWARD WINNERS AT THE FOUNDATION’S ANNUAL

engaging, and retaining new business; For working to make our community welcoming to everyone.

ANDY SCHINDLER AND DON FLOW WERE RECOG-

LEGACY SOCIETY DINNER. THEY EACH RECEIVED A GRANT OF $10,000 TO DESIGNATE TO THE NONPROFIT OF THEIR CHOICE.

LEGACY SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP — UPWARD AND ONWARD OVER 340 INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES have made a commitment to the community to build permanent endowments as resources for the future. These members of the Legacy Society have either already given $10,000 or more to a permanent endowment or have included the Foundation in their will for this amount.

Should your name be included in the list? Please let us know. We would like to be able to thank you. To become a member of the Legacy Society, simply call a member of the Donor Services team at 725-2382 and let them know your intentions.

MORE THAN 200 MEMBERS OF THE LEGACY SOCIETY ATTENDED THIS YEAR’S LEGACY SOCIETY DINNER HELD AT SCIWORKS.

there from the start THE FOUNDATION HAS A LONG HISTORY OF LEADERSHIP IN SUPPORTING NEW PROGRAMS OR ORGANIZATIONS THAT MAKE A LASTING IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY. IN THIS SECTION, WE WILL SHARE SOME OF THOSE STORIES WITH YOU.

BIG BROTHERS, BIG SISTERS — GENERATIONS OF SUCCESS IN 1977, SEVERAL COMMUNITY members had a vision to help Winston-Salem youth meet their potential. It was a time when the phrase “mentor” was not on the community’s vocabulary, but they knew that there were many children in our community who needed role models.

After connecting with the national Big Brothers Big Sisters, community members set their course to find funding for a program in Winston-Salem.

They applied to The WinstonSalem Foundation and received their first funding – a grant of $15,000 to hire staff to coordinate the program. Several

to begin using alcohol, and 52% less likely to skip school.

Statistics tell only one part of the story. Grisard has more stories than time to tell them when it comes to the successes of Big Brothers and Big Sisters. He shared the story of a Wake Forest student who was matched with an 8-year-old during her sophomore year in college. During her time at Wake, their relationship grew. After college the student moved to Atlanta, but stayed in touch with her Little Sister through phone calls and an annual trip together. The 8-year-old has now become a senior in high school and her Big Sister is taking her to look at colleges and even made it possible for her to purchase a car to get to and from her afterschool job.

“Our volunteers provide

kids with a little boost to more months later they fully reach their potential, and received their secwe all need a little boost. A ond grant of BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS WORKS ANNUALLY WORKS WITH 500–600 number of our kids have envi$10,000 from the YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITY. ronmental challenges,” noted Kate B. Reynolds Grisard.

Charitable Trust.

As an organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters has grown Bert Grisard began his job as executive director with no from an initial budget of $25,000 to a point where it is able volunteers and a list of 30 youth needing mentors. He set his to sustain its $600,000 budget primarily through United sights on volunteer recruitment, and the program successfully Way funding, its Bowl-A-Thon Fundraiser, and gifts from grew. Over 25 years later, he still serves the organization and individuals. and volunteers pass through its of youth has seen hundreds Although the program has grown tremendously over the doors. last 25 years, it’s still focused on making an impact in the lives Today, Big Brothers Big Sisters annually works with of individuals. “A key to success with this program is making 500–600 youth, and there are always more children on the children feel good about themselves, and then they will do waiting list. The program matches youth who need a mentor, better,” said Grisard. for any number of reasons, with community volunteers.

Research has demonstrated that Little Brothers and Little Sisters are 46% less likely to use illegal drugs, 27% less likely C O M M U N I T Y M AT T E R S [ 6 – 7 ]

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Winston-Salem, NC Permit No. 406 860 West Fifth Street Winston-Salem, NC 27101-2506 Telephone 336-725-2382 Toll Free 866-227-1209 Fax 336-727-0581 www.wsfoundation.org

REVISED 2006 GRANT SCHEDULE THE FOUNDATION WILL have a revised grantmaking schedule for 2006 funding. The remaining deadline for organizations to request funds for 2006 is July 17th at 5:00 pm.

The Foundation Committee will consider grant proposals at a March 2006 Committee meeting (from the November 15, 2005 deadline) and at an October 2006 meeting (from the July 17, 2006 deadline).

The Foundation has chosen to revise its grantmaking schedule in order to respond best to the community. Over the last few years the Foundation has made numerous strategic, large, multiyear grants and, as a result, has fewer flexible dollars with which to respond to the community in 2006. The revised grantmaking schedule will enable the Foundation to make the most strategic decisions with its available grantmaking dollars in 2006.

The Foundation is committed to being responsive to the community and is working to increase the flexible funds that they have to distribute for competitive grants in the future. “Growing flexible dollars and resources for competitive grantmaking is a long-term activity of the Foundation; the results of our work today may not be realized for several years to come,� added Scott Wierman, president of The Winston-Salem Foundation.