Grant Recipients
2009 Grant Recipients
$382,000 Awarded at Third Annual Meeting Luncheon - May 21, 2009
Greenville Women Giving presented grants totaling $382,000 to selected community non-profit organizations at its third annual meeting, held at Furman University's Younts Conference Center on May 21st. The event culminated a year of education about community needs, and a competitive grants process that ended with members voting on which organizations should receive funds pooled from members' contributions.
With this year's grants, GWG has returned a total of $854,000 to the community in its
three year existence.
To view all 212 photos taken at the event, please click here
The thirteen charities receiving grants were:
Camp Opportunity - $25,000
To fund a week of summer residential camp for children ages six through thirteeen who are in DSS protective custody.
Camp Opportunity has served Greenville County children for thirty years. They have one full time employee, the executive director, and two contract employees, a bookkeeper and a program coordinator. Their mission is to provide a variety of supportive services to abused and/or neglected children, including offering a respite from the storm of their lives through the safe, loving, fun, and educational experiences provided by Camp Opportunity.
www.campopportunitygreenville.org
The Center for Developmental Services - $25,000
For replacement of telephone system shared with six partner agencies located at CDS.
The Center for Developmental Services opened in 2000 to ensure that children with special developmental needs and their families get all of the services they need in as easy a manner as possible. In one location, over 150 partner agency staff members provide clinical and educational services to children affected by issues such as autism, cerebral palsy, and speech delays. For these partners, the Children's Hospital of Greenville Hospital System, Baby Net, Family Connection of South Carolina, Greenville County Disabilities and Special Needs Board, and the Speech, Hearing and Learning Center, being in a single facility that is operated and maintained by CDS staff allows them to focus on the therapeutic services and keep the cost of treatment down.
return to top of page
Foothills Family Resources - $25,000
To fund continuation of the Co-located Services Program in 2009.
Since 1986, the mission of Foothills Family Resources has been to improve the quality of life for the people of Northern Greenville County. In 2008 they served 9,249 people.
Through their Co-located Services Program, the organization provides local families access to services by providing both office space and an administrative staff person, at no cost, for agencies that otherwise could only be accessed by traveling to Greenville. Partner agencies include: DSS Food Stamp Program, Department of Health WIC PRogram, Department of Mental Health, Food Pantry, Family Learning Team GED, Greenville Literacy Association, Greenville Technical College, Job Link, Piedmont Women's Center, Vocational Rehabilitation, Medicaid, Parents as Teachers Program, and Emergency Relief Assistance.
For the past 22 years, one half of the Co-located Services Program budget has been funded by the SC Department of Health and Human Services. Last year, the $50,000 allocated for this program was cut completely from the budget. Foothills Family Resources will be eligible to request an increase in funding for this program from United Way in 2010. GWG funding will alow this program to continue for 2009.
www.foothillsfamilyresources.org
Graduate Greenville - $50,000
To fund Graduate Greenville programs.
Graduate Greenville's mission is to improve high school success for all students, and to increase the percentage of high school students in Greenville County graduating within four years. The organization intends to expand its program each year until all fourteen Greenville County High Schools have graduation coaches and summer enrichment programs.
The grant from GWG will fund three initiatives at one of the five Greenville High Schools with Graduate Greenville programs. The program includes a four-week summer program for at-risk ninth graders, placement of a graduation coach in each of the targeted schools to mentor students and their families, and a community outreach effort, "Opening Doors to Success", that utilizes volunteers to visit the homes of students that have dropped out of school and invites them to re-enroll. Two hundred students will be served directly in the summer enrichment programs.
return to top of page
GAIHN - Greater Greenville Interfaith Hospitality Network - $30,000
For the program "Sharing Hospitality With Homeless Families: Transitional Housing Collaborative". These funds will be matched 3 to 1 by the South Carolina Housing Trust Fund.
GAIHN's mission is to assist local church congregations from a variety of faith traditions to share hospitality in the form of emergency lodging, meals, and short-term housing with homeless families with children, and to help those families achieve self-sufficiency and self-fulfillment. GAIHN is the only emergency shelter in Greenville that will provide shelter for single mothers with sons aged 10 or older, or for single fathers with children of any age. Most shelters deny help to men over the age of 10, which can lead to the break-up of what is left of the family unit. Since 200, GAIHN has helped over 150 homeless families in Greenville.
Funds of $120,000 (which is the $30,000 plus match) will be used to purchase a house to be used for transitional housing for a homeless family. Families stay in the transitional housing from 3 months to over a year, depending on their needs. GAIHN staff provides the family with intensive case management, high-quality life skills training, and ongoing counsel. Once a family becomes reintegrated into the social structure by paying off debts, saving money for housing/utilities, and refreshing family skills, they move out of the transitional house and a new homeless family moves in.
www.GAIHN.org
Greenville Literacy Association - $29,000
To fund the program "Promoting Academic Success and Job Readiness for 17-21 year old Literacy Students".
For more than 44 years, the Greenville Literacy Association has offered reading, writing, spelling, and mathematics lessons so participants can improve their basic skills. These sessions, led by a literacy volunteer, may be one-on-one or in small groups. GLA also employs volunteers to lead small groups in the English as a Second Language program to help internationals improve their English communications and proficiency. The GLA has six fully equiped and staffed learning centers across Greenville County. In 2008, the agency served 2,468 adults.
Based on the success of a pilot program funded by a SC Department of Commerce grant, the GLA will use GWG funding for a thirty-two week program addressing the needs of young adults ages 17-21. These young adults are referred to GLA through the local Workforce Investment Act Youth Program. These young people are identified as being a low-income, out of school population whose education level falls between grades 0 and 8.9. This GLA program is designed to establish meaningful connections between education and employment and to provide participants with the skills and adult guidance they need to transition from school to work.
return to top of page
Greenville Rape Crisis and Child Abuse Center - $25,305
For partial funding of the school education program "Prevent Child Abuse".
GRCCAC provides services and resources to support child, teen, and adult survivors of sexual assault and child abuse. The agency's mission is to stop sexual violence and child abuse and the impact of these crimes through prevention, collaboration, education, treatment, and advocacy.
In 1991, GRCCAC formed a partnership with the Greenville County School System to provide age-appropriate Prevent Child Abuse classroom presentations. In 2008, 475 presentations were made; 473 children who attended the presentations disclosed abuse on their post-tests. The teacher education series "Recognizing At-Risk Students in the Classroom" is the other component of the education program. Funding for both programs (Federal and State DHEC funds) has been cut by 25%.
GWG funding will be used to maintain the "Prevent Child Abuse" classroom presentations for all schools, and to continue the teacher education series in a reduced format.
www.grccac.org
Loaves & Fishes - $30,000
Funds to be applied to the purchase of a twelve-foot refrigerated box truck. The agency received a grant from the Hollingsworth Funds for $25,000, the rest of the cost of the truck.
Loaves & Fishes has been "Bringing the Hungry Fresh Food Daily" in Greenville County since 1991. In 2008, they picked up and delivered almost one million pounds of donated perishable food from 152 Greenville County donors and delivered that food directly to 105 local human service agencies.
The agency uses their three refrigerated box trucks to pick up regular donations from many types of food donors, including restaurants, caterers, churches, corporations, and institutions. Many of these donations are highly perishable and require refrigeration. The trucks currently in service are becoming unreliable and expensive to maintain. The oldest truck, purchased in 1999 has over 200,000 miles and its six-foot box is too small for current needs.
GWG funding will go towards replacing the two oldest box trucks with one larger truck.
www.loavesandfishesgreenville.org
return to top of page
Phillis Wheatley Association - Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools Program -$35,800
For partial funding of $170,048 needed to fund a seven-week summer program, "I Can and Must Make a Difference", for 100 at-risk Greenville County children in grades K-8.
Founded in 1919, the Phillis Wheatley Association has served the Greenville community for 90 years by empowering individuals and families to grow to their fullest potential. Their purpose is to nurture the development of children and youths and to partner with local organizations to offer programs and services that enhance self-sufficiency and improve the quality of life for underserved and unserved citizens in Greenville and surrounding areas.
The CDF Freedom Schools Program is an intensive and preventive program that provides nutritious meals and reading literacy education. Other activities are designed to help students set high expectations and to strenghthen their sense of self-worth, family and community. CDF Freedom School Programs are nurturing environments that promote children's strengths and abilities and are not remedial or oriented around a child deficit model.
www.philliswheatley.org
Safe Harbor - $25,000
For security equipment at the agency's new administration offices.
Safe Harbor was founded in 1995 and is a United Way supported agency that provides both safe shelter and support services for victims of domestic violence and their children. Services include two 24-hour emergency shelters, a community counseling program for non-residential clients, and the legal advocacy program for victims of domestic violence seeking protective orders. Safe Harbor provides shelter for more than 550 victims of domestic violence annually.
GWG funding will pay for the installation of a security system at the agency's new 0ff-site administrative offices. This system will include three security cameras, a magnetic door locking system, and electric gates for the two driveways that access the parking lot.
New off-site administrative offices will, for the first time, have an identifying sign in front of the building. This facility will be used to host a weekly community support group for victims that do not want or need shelter services, and will house the legal advocacy program for victims seeking emergency orders of protection through the Family Court System. Also for the first time, the new administrative building will offer victims a walk-in appointment option for any of Safe Harbor's services. An upgraded security system is crucial to keep Safe Harbor's community clients, staff and volunteers safe.
return to top of page
Clarity - The Speech, Hearing, and Learning Center - $25,000
The mission of the Speech, Hearing & Learning Center is to help individuals with speech, hearing, and learning challenges realize their potential and improve their quality of life.
In response to the community need for developmental evaluations for younger children suspected of autism, the SHLC developed the Autism Spectrum Evaluation Team (ASET). The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that pediatricians begin screening children as young as nine months for developmental delays related to autism. SHLC has the facility and staff to do these evaluations but needs additional diagnostic tools. Recent insurance company regulations and best practice methods require the purchase and use of several behavioral, language, and psychological test instruments and diagnostic audiology equipment. These instruments will allow SHLC to complete the screening and testing process for young children, resulting in earlier identification of autism, hearing impairment, and other developmental disorders.
www.clarityupstate.org
Welvista - $30,000
For operational support of Welvista's prescription program. This program provides medications at no cost to eligible uninsured people in Greenville County
Welvista provides essential prescription medications at no cost to eligible uninsured people. These medications are critical in controlling chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mental illness, which if left untreated require emergency treatment and hospitalization. Welvista receives donations of brand-name medications from thirteen pharmaceutical companies and works with a network of over five hundred health care providers. They have long-standing relationships with the Greenville Free Medical Clinic, Medwell Access, Taylors Free Medical Clinic, and the Greenville Hospital System.
GWG funding will assist Welvista meet the increased demand for its services. In 2008, the agency served 1,689 uninsured people in Greenville County. In 2009, enrollment is expected to grow by at least 10%.
return to top of page
Women Build - Habitat for Humanity - $28,500
For partial funding of the $57,000 in materials required to build one house for a single working mother or grandmother, someone who would not qualify for a traditional home loan.
Women Build is a team of female volunteers committed to alleviating the problem of sub-standard housing and homelessness. Habitat for Humanity International created the Women Build program in 1998. Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County provides Women Build with land and construction assistance. Over the last ten years, Women Build of Greenville County has built nine homes for nine single women and their children. Women Build is responsible for raising 100% of the funding needed to build the home.
2008 Grant Recipients
$287,000 Awarded at Second Annual Meeting Luncheon - May 20, 2008
GWG had the distinct honor of awarding grants to the following ten organizations:
Camp Spearhead - $26,000
Camp Spearhead enriches the lives of those with special needs through therapeutic recreational opportunities, including a traditional summer residential camp, and school-year weekend programs.
GWG funds will purchase state-of-the-art medical equipment to be eventually located at the Camp's new facility, currently under construction. Having this equipment on site will allow the camp to meet many of the campers' needs there, reducing the number of non-emergent trips to local doctors' offices and emergency rooms.
Furman University: Bridges to a Brighter Future - $26,100
"Bridges" provides a 4 week summer residential experience, and year-round sessions and support for at-risk high school students. The GWG award will fund mental and emotional counseling for the students, a part-time art teacher, and participation in a national environmental program called "Climate Quest".
www.furman.edu/bridges/aboutus.cfm
Greenville County Schools Lifelong Learning - $35,325
Lifelong Learning is a program of the Greenville County School District providing education and training for adults. GWG funds will be used to expand its "English for Parents" program at 6 additional schools with large Hispanic populations and high percentages of students on free and reduced lunch.
www.greenville.k12.sc.us/lifelong/index.asp
Greenville Free Medical Clinic - $25,800
The Greenville Free Medical Clinic provides medical and dental services, and prescription medications without charge to low-income uninsured Greenville County residents at four different locations.
GWG funds will be used to purchase 14 pieces of specialty equipment, allowing its volunteer specialty physicians to treat patients at sites other than the main downtown clinic.
www.scha.org/scfmca_location.asp?document_name=greenville
Homes of Hope - $25,000
Homes of Hope builds or develops housing for homeless and low-income families and individuals, while providing job training and mentoring men overcoming addictions.
GWG funds will help sponsor the building of 2 homes int he Haynie-Sirrine neighborhood, to be designated for families transitioning out of Greenville Area Interfaith Hospitality Network (GAIHN) temporary housing, a project funded by GWG in 2007.
GWG funds will be matched nearly 6:1 by governmental and banking sources.
Mental Health America of Greenville County - $48,313
Mental Health America strives to serve Greenville County through a myriad of programs, including, especially, its Crisis Intervention Services, part of which is a 24/7 telephone hotline service dedicated to crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and guidance to appropriate resources for anyone. Last year, CIS handled nearly 20,000 calls. GWG funds will be used to purchase computer hardware and software that will allow the organization's staff and volunteers to engage in online interaction with those seeking help, a mode favored especially by teenagers in search of assistance.
Metropolitan Arts Council: SmartARTS - $25,000
GWG funds will enable the MAC to expand its very successful arts integration program, primarily in Title I classrooms. Twenty additional teachers will be trained, and those teachers will partner with local artists to develop and implement arts-integrated units of study. The expanded program will serve nearly 5,000 people, including students, teachers, and local artists.
www.greenvillearts.com/education/smartarts.aspx
Naturaland Trust - $13,962
Naturaland Trust preserves a few special natural places in trust for the future, working with landowners, other land trusts, government agencies, and foundations to secure protected status in perpetuity for these lands and resources. GWG funds will assist in Naturaland Trust's effort to protect a 136 acre portion of the Blue Wall Connection, the valley at the base of Caesar's Head Mountain that contains Scenic Highway 11, and the South Saluda River.
www.ltanet.org/findlandtrust/one.tcl?pc_id=105
Pleasant Valley Connection - $36,500
Pleasant Valley Connection is a multi-activity community center serving youth and seniors in its neighborhood and beyond. GWG funds will be used to purchase a 14-passenger bus, significantly increasing the organization's capacity in existing programs for both young people and senior citizens.
www.pleasantvalleyconnection.org
YMCA Teen Services Branch - $25,000
The YMCA Teen Center, a joint project with Furman University that opened in April 2008, seeks to provide teenagers with a safe, supervised, "cool" place to gather downtown. GWG funds will assist with first year programming for the center.
www.ymcagreenville.org/teens.php
2007 Grant Recipients
May 24, 2007: Our first Annual Meeting, Luncheon and Presentation of Grants
Meeting Keynote Speaker: June Bradham
President, Corporate DevelopMint, Charleston, SC
Incoming President, SC Association of Non-Profit Organizations
June Bradham is founder, owner, and President of Corporate DevelopMint. She has spent the last 2o years leading non-profit organizations as they meet and exceed their goals. Her expertise in fund-raising has helped hundreds of non-profits reach their financial and organizational targets. She has, as a result, become a recognized leader in the development of innovative, successful fundraising efforts.
June started her development career at Hilton Head Hospital, SC. June’s work with that institution’s foundation was crucial to moving the hospital’s bottom line from negative to positive.
As President of Corporate DevelopMint, June is integrally involved in all campaigns directed by the firm, with goals that have ranged from $3 million to $100 million.
Under June’s direction, Corporate DevelopMint has become one of the leading fundraising consulting firms in the Southeast, especially in the healthcare arena. As a reflection of that position, June and her staff designed and organized Corporate DevelopMint’s first Healthcare CEO Forum in 2004, attracting over 20 healthcare CEOs. Centered on the firm’s proprietary MintAsk Process, the event allowed the CEOs to learn how to increase their impact on fundraising efforts.
June’s deep commitment to the growth and success of non-profit organizations is underscored by her years of volunteer experience, including service on the Executive Committee of the Carolinas Hospital PR and Marketing Society. June is also a member of the Executive Committee of the South Carolina State Chamber of Commerce Board, The Citadel School of Business Administration Board, the Columbia College Board of Trustees, the Atlantic Bank and Trust Board of Directors, and Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Lowcountry Chapter’s Board of Directors. She is the incoming president of South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations (SCANPO).
The first alumna chosen to present the convocation address for a Columbia College Graduating Class, June speaks nationally to numerous groups each year.
Presentation of 2007 Grants
Grants were awarded to the following organizations:
- Clement's Kindness Fund for the Children
- Conestee Foundation
- GAIHN - Greenville Area Interfaith Hospitality Network
- Greenville Literacy Organization
- Greenville Rape Crisis and Child Abuse Center
- Loaves and Fishes
- YWCA
To view reports from some of these agencies, please click here