High-impact philanthropy is based on the understanding that no one organization and no one tactic can adequately address a significant community issue. 

That’s why Central Carolina Community Foundation, the Midlands’ leader in collaborative philanthropy, harnesses collective resources and mobilizes action to further the vitality of the community. Two of our initiatives, Midlands Gives and the One SC Fund, exemplify our model best. 

Midlands Gives is our annual 18-hour online giving challenge and year-round giving platform for local nonprofits. Since the inception of Midlands Gives in 2014, the Community Foundation has raised more than $19.7 million for hundreds of local nonprofits in our 11-county service area: Calhoun, Clarendon, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda, and Sumter. 

The key to the Midlands Gives’ success hinges on the whole community—from local news outlets and residents to corporations and firms—coming together to celebrate and uplift nonprofits. 

This past May, our In Good Company Network members—including Dominion Energy, Aflac, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Southeastern Freight Lines, Truist, and others—inspired giving by donating more than $200,000 in prize incentives to amplify donations to nonprofits on Midlands Gives Day. 

During the past nine years, our business partners have provided more than $750,000 in prize incentives through Midlands Gives. This money has increased the impact of local nonprofits working to better our community.

The One SC Fund, housed at the Community Foundation, was established by former Gov. Nikki Haley after the 2015 Thousand-Year Flood to help South Carolinians who are recovering from state-declared emergencies. 

The fund has awarded grants to nonprofits providing recovery, relief and rebuilding assistance from previous state-declared disasters, including the Thousand-Year Flood, Hurricane Matthew, Hurricane Florence and, most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.

When disaster strikes, our community, including our local businesses, always step up to help those most affected. The success of the One SC Fund, much like that of Midlands Gives, has been amplified by the support of dozens of businesses both small and large.

Since 2015, that support has resulted in:

More than $10.4 million disbursed to organizations throughout the state for disaster response, relief and recovery efforts. 

Over 620,000 individuals receiving assistance with basic needs.

2,300 families able to return home after disasters.

For 38 years, Central Carolina Community Foundation has been the trusted model for collaborative philanthropy. When we work together, our region thrives.

JoAnn Turnquist is president and CEO of Central Carolina Community Foundation. For more information about the foundation, visit www.yourfoundation.org.