Central Carolina grants support more connected communities
The things that make people love where they live and attract others to a community are at the heart of Central Carolina Community Foundation’s recent Connected Communities grants.
The foundation has awarded $273,000 in grants to nine Midlands nonprofits to fund philanthropic projects that connect residents to the community.
“We are delighted to fund innovative programs that relate directly to our daily quality of life and connect folks to our community,” said JoAnn Turnquist, Central Carolina Community Foundation president and CEO.
The grants will target three focus areas that were identified by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Gallup as the three most important elements for an attractive community – a welcoming community, vibrant social offerings, and superb public spaces.
The grant recipients include the city of West Columbia, Columbia Museum of Art, EngenuitySC, Historic Columbia, Kershaw County Community Playground, Saluda Shoals Foundation, SC Philharmonic, The Humanities Council and The Nickelodeon.
Central Carolina Community Foundation will work with the recipients to measure the impact of the Connected Communities grants and provide annual reports on their progress.
“The programs we’ve funded will help connect folks to our community by enhancing the quality of life in the Midlands,” Turnquist said.
Connected Communities grants are funded by the Central Carolina’s Community Impact Endowment and Field of Interest funds for the arts. The funds are made possible by gifts from donors who value the work of the Foundation. In previous years, the Foundation has used CIE funds for such projects as Midlands Gives, Literacy 2030 and the Transitions homeless shelter’s building campaign.
Central Carolina Community Foundation serves 11 counties in the Midlands by distributing grants and scholarships and linking the resources of donors, nonprofits and area leaders to communities in need. For details about the foundation or Connected Communities grants, visit www.yourfoundation.org or call (803) 254-5601.
This story was originally published August 2, 2015 at 4:50 PM.