APRIL 2, 2015 PUBLICATION OF FOUNDATION FOR THE CAROLINAS. Foundation For The Carolinas Annual Meeting

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1 P H I L A N T H R O P Y FOCUS A PUBLICATION OF FOUNDATION FOR THE CAROLINAS WINTER 2014 Pages 2-3 Centers for Giving Our Generous Donors Pages 4-5 Robinson Center for Civic Leadership and Community Programs Pages 6-7 News from our Partners and Region Page 8 Foundation News and Updates APRIL 2, 2015 Foundation For The Carolinas Annual Meeting Details on page 8 Photo by Sean Busher Imagery

2 Michael Marsicano, President and CEO of Foundation For The Carolinas, expresses gratitude to Brian Brandewie, Senior Vice President at UTC Aerospace Systems, during a special event honoring the company s extraordinary gifts of Dale Chihuly art to the Foundation s permanent collection. UTC AEROSPACE SYSTEMS GIFTS CHIHULY ART UTC Aerospace Systems and its employees have generously gifted three stunning works of art by world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly to the Foundation s permanent collection. The company, headquartered in Charlotte, sought to enrich our region by making these masterpieces accessible to the entire community. The donated works are from Chihuly s Macchia series, which the artist began creating in The pieces were previously on display at UTC Aerospace Systems headquarters, and are now a permanent fixture in the Foundation s Sonia and Isaac Luski Gallery, which is open to the public free of charge during business hours. UTC Aerospace Systems is one of the world s largest suppliers of aerospace and defense products, and is deeply committed to fostering vibrant communities. During an event honoring the company, Foundation For The Carolinas President and CEO Michael Marsicano said, With these spectacular gifts of art now in the public domain, UTC Aerospace Systems has enhanced our community for generations to come. We are so fortunate to have this company call Charlotte home. Photos by Sean Busher Imagery THE SEASON OF GIVING Foundation For The Carolinas extends our deepest appreciation and warmest holiday greetings to our generous clients, partners and friends. The holidays are an excellent time to leverage charitable tax benefits before the end of the year, while supporting the causes you value most. We hope you will consider making a gift to your fund or establishing a new charitable gift fund today. FFTC offers a number of options to meet your philanthropic needs, such as donor advised funds, corporate giving programs and planned giving services. We accept an exceptionally wide variety of assets, such as stock, real property, and closely held business interests. For assistance with contributions of cash or stock, please contact our Donor Relations team at or donorrelations@fftc.org. Important Year-End Deadlines Please note: In order for a cash or check gift to be credited in calendar year 2014, it must be received or postmarked by December 31, Gifts of stock must be received into the Foundation s brokerage account on or before December 31, To ensure that grants from your charitable fund are mailed before the New Year, please submit your recommendations by December 24, 2014 for previously approved organizations and December 19, 2014 for new organizations. For assistance with grants, please contact Kelley Graham at or kgraham@fftc.org. OurBRIDGE, an afterschool program for immigrant and refugee children, received a grant from the Reemprise Fund this fall to purchase transportation for students, and to support professional development opportunities for its staff. Managed by FFTC, Reemprise is uniquely focused on innovative and entrepreneurial projects that produce significant human returns. To learn more about how we can help you achieve your charitable goals in 2014 and beyond, please contact us at or philanthropy@fftc.org. * The material contained herein is not to be construed as tax or legal advice. 2

3 HURLEY FAMILY ENSURES PRESERVATION OF PARK IN PERPETUITY In the early 1980 s the Hurley family, in partnership with the City of Salisbury, provided a generous private donation to establish the Elizabeth Holmes Hurley Park in memory of their mother, one of the earliest residents of the park neighborhood. The 16-acre public park is comprised of woodlands, streams and quiet pathways. It includes collections of hollies, magnolias, azalea gardens, and many other plantings which provide year-round interest and beauty. The park also serves the community as a site for weddings and an annual spring celebration. The Elizabeth Holmes Hurley Park serves as a year-round community gathering place. In 1986, the Hurley family created a private foundation, the Elizabeth Holmes Hurley Memorial Park Foundation, to provide grants to the City of Salisbury to help maintain and preserve the park. The family was inspired to do something lasting to honor the memory of their mother, who was a lover of natural beauty. In 2014, the Hurley Family decided to convert its private foundation to an FFTC Designated Fund held at Foundation For The Carolinas. The fund will ensure a permanent source of income for the park. The designated fund vehicle also provides an opportunity for the Hurley family and other community members to leave planned gifts that will preserve this beloved public space in perpetuity. Ensuring the future of the park means a great deal to our family. Foundation For The Carolinas has a proven track record as a keen financial steward to earn our trust, said Gerry Hurley. For more information about FFTC Philanthropic Solutions, visit Angie Allred, Director of Investment Operations and Portfolio Oversight Manager for FFTC, welcomes attendees to a discussion on investing for nonprofits. SEMINARS OFFER NETWORKING, PROFESSIONAL GROWTH FOR NONPROFITS Foundation For The Carolinas offers educational programming for nonprofits throughout our region, giving leaders the opportunity to connect and to grow professionally. This fall, the Center for Nonprofit Sustainability presented two educational seminars. The first, The Power of Digital Storytelling: Building Meaningful Connections that Drive Results, helped nonprofits learn how to use digital media to create influential and engaging stories. The seminar was led by Jason Fararooei of Yellow Cape Communications and Dr. Kim Weller of Queens University. The second, Investing for Nonprofits: Hedge Funds - Friend or Foe, offered an economic market overview and discussion about hedge funds, and the role they play in nonprofits portfolios. The session was led by Alan Lenahan of Fund Evaluation Group. Additionally, a number of seminars were held throughout our 13-county region on topics such as planned giving, brand management and media relations. For more information about educational opportunities for nonprofits, follow FFTC on Facebook or contact us at philanthropy@fftc.org. BUSINESS DEALMAKING LEADS TO PHILANTHROPIC CAPITAL In November, Foundation For The Carolinas was pleased to sponsor a program for the Charlotte Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG), a professional development organization for middlemarket dealmakers and business leaders, featuring a case study panel discussion on incorporating philanthropy into exit strategies for private companies. The panel featured the story of Jay Faison and the sale of his company, SnapAV. Prior to the sale, Jay contributed closely held interests in SnapAV utilizing FFTC s innovative Community Investments Foundation. Now, over a year after the sale of the company, Jay s gift has created significant philanthropic capital soon to be launched in the community. FFTC Executive Vice President and In-House Counsel Holly Welch Stubbing joined the panel to explain how FFTC helps philanthropic-minded individuals like Jay shape a philanthropic vision and put it into action. FFTC offers a variety of innovative giving options for business owners and entrepreneurs that deliver substantial tax benefits and maximize charitable impact. For more information visit 3

4 CIVIC LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS CIVIC LEADERSHIP 2014 YEAR IN REVIEW By Brian Collier, Executive Vice President Civic leadership activities have kept us in the thick of gamechanging work in We have a number of major initiatives at play, and I am happy to report several highlights from the year: 4 Brian Collier We have seen dramatic results from Project L.I.F.T., our community s groundbreaking effort to transform public education in high poverty schools. Graduation rates at West Charlotte High School have jumped from 56 percent to 78 percent over the past two years, since we launched this $55 million initiative. I am pleased to report that with all L.I.F.T schools now exceeding our growth metrics, many aspects of the model will be expanded to numerous non-l.i.f.t. schools in the area. The A Way Home (AWH) Endowment is also making strides, and is getting closer to reaching its $20 million fundraising goal. The endowment will provide a permanent pool of funds for programs designed to help homeless and at-risk families move toward housing and financial independence in 24 months or less. The public-private sector goal includes $10 million from the City of Charlotte, invested over five years, and $10 million from private philanthropy. Both Project L.I.F.T. and the AWH Endowment have the potential to increase opportunities for our region s children and their families to overcome poverty. In a recent Harvard University study of 50 major cities, Charlotte ranked rock bottom in terms of economic mobility. FFTC, in partnership with Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte, is investing in and researching this issue. We have convened an independent task force that will work to develop policy and community solutions to increase economic opportunity. And we re always on the lookout for emerging issues and opportunities. We will be adding childhood literacy and aging as areas of focus in Nowhere is the power of our collective strength more evident than in the work of the Robinson Center for Civic Leadership. We thank you our partners, donors and friends for the commitments you ve made to philanthropy and civic service. Collectively, our voices continue to build a stronger, more vibrant region. Novant Health executive Dr. Ophelia Garmon-Brown announces the launch of a new task force that will work to identify solutions for increasing economic opportunity in Mecklenburg County. Foundation For The Carolinas, in partnership with Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte, is convening this independent task force in response to a Harvard University study ranking Charlotte rock bottom among the country s 50 largest cities when it comes to opportunities to overcome poverty. The 16-member task force will begin meeting in January, VISION PLAN TO RE-ENERGIZE NORTH TRYON CORRIDOR The North Tryon Street corridor in uptown Charlotte is poised for a major boost in the coming years. Foundation For The Carolinas is leading an effort to revitalize the area, in partnership with Charlotte Center City Partners and 19 organizations from the public, private and nonprofit sectors. The goal of the North Tryon Vision Plan is to address the corridor s urban design and infrastructure needs, and to create a shared vision that will catalyze development and bring new life to the area. MIG Inc. and Snøhetta are the lead consultants on the project. This fall, a team of six nationally-renowned thought leaders visited Charlotte to share expertise and gather feedback on public realm themes, such as real estate development, public art, social service issues and cultural programming. They also toured sites within the corridor, and participated in an extensive design charrette process. Further opportunities for public engagement in the process will be announced in early For more information, visit

5 KIMBLE FOUNDATION ADDRESSES IMPACT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN OUR REGION According to recent research published in the Charlotte Observer, domestic violence costs the state of North Carolina more than $300 million every year, largely due to health care costs and criminal justice expenses. But the cost to victims of domestic violence is much higher. In Mecklenburg County alone, three women have been killed in domestic violence homicides in 2014 and another 53 people have been killed across the state. Robinson Center for Civic Leadership members gathered for the 2014 State of the Union address in November. Foundation leadership reported on the progress of current community initiatives, and shared the projects and issues the Center plans to address next. GET ENGAGED THROUGH CIVIC LEADERSHIP Initiatives launched through the Robinson Center for Civic Leadership are supported by our generous members. These civic-minded individuals make possible the transformative initiatives that shape our community and create a more vibrant region. The Robinson Center for Civic Leadership offers an innovative and highly interactive membership program. Benefits include: Photos by Donna Bise The Jamie Kimble Foundation for Courage, established as a fund at FFTC, provides grants and support to teach healthy relationship behaviors to youth and young adults. The foundation also supports education and awareness programs to encourage innovative methods for detecting, reporting and counseling abusers, to help stop the cycle of violence. The foundation was started by Deputy Charlotte City Manager Ron Kimble and his wife Jan, whose daughter Jamie was tragically killed by a former boyfriend on Labor Day The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Foundation, an affiliate of FFTC, provided a grant to help launch the Jamie Kimble Foundation for Courage in Pictured from left; Jan, Jamie and Ron Kimble For more information visit Invitations to experiential events, which are tailormade for our members Educational programming, offering eye-opening and informative sessions Engaging in dialogue about major community issues You can become a member of the Robinson Center for Civic Leadership with an annual contribution of $1,000 or more. For those under the age of 35, Emerging Leaders membership begins at $500 annually. To learn more about how you can get engaged, contact Ron Townsend at or rtownsend@fftc.org. Get Engaged Using your smart phone, scan the QR to view a brief video about how you can get engaged with the Robinson Center for Civic Leadership. Erin Currier from Pew Charitable Trusts addresses a capacity audience at Foundation For the Carolinas during a November seminar on economic opportunity. The Robinson Center for Civic Leadership is set to present more educational programming, as the speaker series expands in December with Richard Reeves from Brookings Institution and in January with the Aspen Institute. 5

6 $8 MILLION GIFT FROM BELK FAMILIES TO TRANSFORM NORTH TRYON The families of Claudia Belk and the late John M. Belk, and Katherine Belk and the late Thomas M. Belk, have generously given an extraordinary $8 million to support the restoration of the Carolina Theatre in uptown Charlotte. The gift was announced during an October luncheon honoring the civic contributions of the two families. Their extraordinary commitment will allow us to bring the Carolina Theatre back to life for our community with the grandeur it deserves, said Foundation For The Carolinas President and CEO Michael Marsicano. The newly renovated theatre will host symposia, major speakers, panel discussions and documentary films, as well as educational and thought leadership activities. It will be conjoined with the Foundation s current headquarters, and will feature a gallery lobby, and potentially additional floors above. The theatre will be the center of a broader collection of venues designed to serve as a hub for philanthropy and civic engagement. The entire site will be named Belk Place in honor of the families substantial contributions to our region. In addition to the theater and potential nonprofit space, Belk Place will include existing amenities such as the Foundation s headquarters, the Luski-Gorelick Center for Philanthropy; the Sonia and Isaac Luski Gallery; the Levine Conference Center and the Robinson Center for Civic Leadership. In December of 2012, the Charlotte City Council entrusted Foundation For The Carolinas with restoring the historic Carolina Theatre, which was built in 1927 but has stood largely vacant for nearly 40 years. The theatre, which once hosted such acts as Elvis Presley, Katharine Hepburn and Bob Hope, is located adjacent to the Foundation s headquarters facility. To date, the gift from the Belk families, along with major support from others, has helped the Foundation raise $23.7 million toward its $35 million fundraising goal for the broader project. For more information about the Carolina Theatre restoration project, visit 6 The Belk family was honored during the October luncheon for their civic and philanthropic contributions to our region. The historic Sam Kee Laundry Building suffered damage as a result of the August 24 earthquake in Napa, California. E4E RELIEF SUPPORTS REBUILDING EFFORTS IN NAPA VALLEY E4E Relief, one of the nation s leading providers of employee disaster and hardship funds, is helping the Napa Valley community recover from the South Napa earthquake in August that damaged nearly 1,900 homes in the area. In rapid response to the earthquake, Napa Valley Vintners gave a generous $10 million grant to the Napa Valley Community Foundation for emergency assistance providing food, shelter, and clothing to meet the immediate needs of local residents. In the next phase of the disaster relief effort, E4E Relief is serving as the primary partner with Napa Valley Community Foundation to assist homeowners who need structural repairs to their homes. The Napa Valley Community Relief Fund for Homeowners, an E4E Employee Relief Fund program, will grant nearly $4 million to Napa Valley homeowners affected by this federally declared disaster. E4E Relief is providing grants up to $10,000 for homeowners, and is partnering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other community nonprofits to help local residents fill out the necessary forms. Napa Valley Community Foundation turned to E4E Relief for its deep expertise in disaster relief. The company is also providing extensive back-end support and stewardship for the fund. The E4E team is honored to have been chosen to serve the homeowner component of this important disaster relief work in Napa County, said Laura Meyer Wellman, president and CEO of E4E Relief. Based in Charlotte, NC, and national in scope, E4E Relief is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Foundation For The Carolinas. For more information about E4E Employee Relief Funds, visit Photo by James Gunn

7 SALISBURY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION CELEBRATES 70 YEARS The Salisbury Community Foundation recently celebrated its 70th anniversary with a special event and art exhibit, in partnership with Waterworks Visual Arts Center and Catawba College. FFTC loaned Waterworks a selection of stunning glass artwork from the Sonia and Isaac Luski Gallery for the exhibit, Spaces Within. Several of the works will also be on display at Catawba College. Established in 1944 to increase the charitable giving resources in the Salisbury and Rowan County area, the Salisbury Community Foundation granted more than $95,000 in 2014 to support local nonprofits. The Spaces Within exhibit features glass artwork from the Sonia and Isaac Luski gallery on display at Waterworks Visual Arts Center until January 31, NEW ONLINE GRANT SYSTEM LAUNCHED Foundation For The Carolinas recently launched a newly improved online system for competitive grant and scholarship applicants. The new system streamlines the application process for grant and scholarship seekers, and improves the user experience for those who review applications. FFTC manages more than 70 competitive grantmaking boards, and nearly 140 scholarship programs. For more information on FFTC grantmaking programs, visit Photo by Sean Meyers Photography REGIONAL GRANTMAKING BOARDS SERVE LOCAL NEEDS Our region is woven together by many vibrant communities, each with unique needs and opportunities. Foundation For The Carolinas serves 13 counties within this region, helping donors and nonprofits reach their philanthropic goals. Each county affiliate has a local grantmaking board that, in partnership with FFTC team members, is entrusted with fostering philanthropy and awarding grants that support the good works of nonprofits in their community. These grants are made possible by the generous families, individuals and companies who invest in their local community foundations. The collective impact of these local grantmaking boards is significant. As of November 1, more than $1.7 million in competitive grants have been awarded so far this year to 114 nonprofits throughout our region. Some 2014 regional grantmaking trends include: K-12 education remains a major focus area, with 46 percent of 2014 grantmaking dollars supporting these causes Organizations and funders are focused on systemic changes, versus only meeting immediate needs Housing and support services for families and the chronically homeless remains a priority in several communities Continued investment in human service needs, but with a focus on addressing root causes For more information about Foundation For The Carolinas regional affiliates, visit Regional Affiliate Competitive Grantmaking by Category 1% 1% 5% 6% 7% 15% 19% 46% Education K-12 Nonprofit Building Capacity Housing Human Services Arts & Culture Health Social Capital Environment Animal Welfare <1% 7

8 220 North Tryon Street Charlotte, NC Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Charlotte, NC Permit No Inspiring Philanthropy. Investing in Community. Our newsletter, Philanthropy Focus, is designed to inform and interest donors, clients and friends of the Foundation. The communications department welcomes your suggestions. Editorial Staff: Tara Keener Erica Tomashitis Liz Cheek Foundation For The Carolinas cares about the environment. This newsletter is printed with vegetable-based ink on paper manufactured from 10% post-consumer, recovered and mixed fiber from 100% certified sources. The Foundation offers stunning, state-of-the art convening spaces for corporate events, retreats, private parties and receptions. Our region s nonprofits are invited to use meeting space within our Levine Conference Center, free of charge during weekday business hours. For more information, contact our Events Team at , or visit ANNUAL MEETING Save the date for the 2015 Foundation For The Carolinas Annual Meeting luncheon, set for Thursday, April 2 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Charlotte Convention Center. Keynote speaker for this year s event is worldrenowned portrait photographer Platon, who has produced some of the most iconic World-renowned portrait photographer Platon images of our time. Platon is also the founder of The People s Portfolio, a nonprofit that uses photography to build awareness of human rights efforts across the globe. Each year, the Annual Meeting convenes more than 1,500 leaders from the civic, corporate and nonprofit sectors for a celebration of philanthropy in our region. Sponsorship and ticket information will be available soon at LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!