Posted on November 28th, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Local Foundations to leverage resources to improve quality of life in Lancaster, SC.

LANCASTER, S.C.— After working together for 18 months, two area foundations are joining forces on a 2018 initiative to strengthen the health of Lancaster County. The J. Marion Sims Foundation will provide up to $75,000 to the Lancaster County Community Foundation, an affiliate of Foundation For The Carolinas out of Charlotte, N.C., to focus on building and strengthening the health of the community.

“We have been studying the data, looking at indicators of community health, and believe we can make a bigger impact together,” said Chip Cox, Chair of the Lancaster County Community Foundation. “It is our hope that this generous contribution by the J. Marion Sims Foundation will have an immediate impact on our grantmaking efforts and also spark other giving to strengthen our county.”

“Both foundations share the vision of healthy and vibrant community and have been working together to find opportunities to elevate philanthropy,” said Robert Folks, Chair of the J. Marion Sims Foundation. “Since we began the Give Local Lancaster initiative last year, we have been amazed by the philanthropic spirit of our community. Our gift today is designed to have immediate impact and also to challenge others to join us in building a healthy community.”

As a part of the Foundation’s commitment to work with partners and make data-informed decisions that strengthen the community, the J. Marion Sims Foundation will commit resources to the 2018 grantmaking efforts of the Lancaster County Community Foundation. The $75K J. Marion Sims contribution provides:

  • $40,000 to support four priority areas selected by both boards (Education, Health, Higher Education/Workforce development; Human Services);
  • $10,000 to amplify Arts and Culture efforts in the community (as noted in recent regional research unveiled this fall, the arts are an economic driver improving quality of life in Lancaster);
  • In addition to the above $50,000 contribution focused on five quality of life areas, J. Marion Sims will also provide a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $25,000 for any additional contribution made to the Lancaster County Community Foundation through March 2018.

“On the eve of Giving Tuesday, we see an opportunity to challenge the giving spirit we see in Lancaster,” said Folks. “We are thrilled to partner with LCCF and hope others – individuals, businesses, government, corporations – will get involved and donate to this quality of life campaign for long-lasting impact in our community. Your contribution will be doubled, and you will be making a difference.

If you would like to make contributions to the Lancaster Community Foundation, visit: https://www.fftc.org/regional_affiliates#lancaster

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For more information, contact:

Lancaster County Community Foundation/Foundation for the Carolinas — Brian Collier, Executive Vice President of Community Programs and Civic Leadership, 704-973-4556, bcollier@fftc.org

Marion Sims Foundation—Susan DeVenny, President & CEO, (803) 286-8772, sdevenny@jmsims.org

 

About the partners:

Foundation for the Carolinas is a nonprofit community foundation serving donors and a broad range of charitable purposes in North and South Carolina. With assets of $2.2 billion, the Foundation encourages and makes possible philanthropic giving by individuals of all means to benefit their communities. Visit www.fftc.org.

Marion Sims Foundation is entering its third decade of service to the community, with a focus on transforming the health and wellness of Lancaster County, Fort Lawn, and Great Falls, SC. Created by the sale of the Elliot White Springs Hospital in 1995, the Foundation provides partnership, programming, and grants to support community transformation. The board’s new strategic direction includes a focus on building a healthy community, supporting youth transition to adulthood, and elevating philanthropy.

Lancaster County Community Foundation was created in 1988 to inspire philanthropy and secure resources to address local issues. Led by a local board of trustees but a regional affiliate of Foundation For The Carolinas, LCCF has awarded more than $111,000 in grants to area nonprofits since inception.

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