I am a firm believer in the adage “to whom much has been given, much is expected,” and I have lived by this principal during my long and successful legal career. With no shortage of blessings in my lifetime, I have a moral duty to repay what I’ve been given by serving others.

One way in which I have been able to serve is through Central Carolina Community Foundation, an organization that shares my sentiment on the importance of giving back. The Community Foundation is a non-profit that helps charitable people and businesses make impactful giving decisions that best serve the needs of our community. The organization’s operations extend across eleven counties in the Midlands, including Richland, Lexington, and Fairfield Counties, where the majority of my legal practice takes place. I have had the privilege of sitting on the Central Carolina Community Foundation Board for a total of six years, serving as Board Chair for two of those years. And, while my years of working with the Community Foundation brought with them a tremendous sense of accomplishment, my greatest success during my tenure there was the appointment of JoAnn Turnquist as President and CEO of the organization—through her extraordinary leadership, the Community Foundation has reached new, extraordinary levels and has become more impactful than ever before.

 

Central Carolina Community Foundation’s mission is to promote, facilitate, and increase philanthropy to create a sustainable impact within our community through responsible giving. They do this in the following ways:

• Promote & Increase Philanthropy: Initiatives like Midlands Gives, the annual online day of giving, allows everyone in our community to be a philanthropist. Over the last five years, Midlands Gives has raised over $7.25 million for hundreds of local nonprofits.

• Connect Our Community: The Foundation connects people in our community together to deploy resources effectively and impact our community. On October 24, 2018, the first On the Table initiative will bring small groups together across Richland and Lexington counties to discuss how to make our community stronger.

• Distribute Grants: Since inception in 1984, the Foundation has distributed over $157 million in grants. The Foundation’s Connected Communities grants fund innovative projects that strengthen our region by creating vibrant social offerings, superb public spaces, and a welcoming community.

• Provide Fiscal Oversight: The Foundation manages charitable funds established by families, businesses, and nonprofits and works with these donors to fulfill their charitable wishes. As partners in giving, Foundation donors receive the tax advantages of a public charity combined with the personal recognition, involvement, and flexibility of a private foundation.
  

The work of Central Carolina Community Foundation is a driving force behind the improvement and growth of the Midlands community. If you know of a local, charitable cause in need of funding, or if you want to support the excellent work of The Community Foundation, I encourage you to visit their website here for more information!