Mobilizing charitable giving to build a stronger community

2026 Civic Hub grantee

In the Midlands of South Carolina, the Central Carolina Community Foundation works to strengthen their 11-county region with stronger local leadership, coordinated civic infrastructure, and deeper resident participation. They envision a place where advisory boards reflect true community diversity, rural voices drive strategy, and communities move from fragmented efforts to sustained, collaborative action.

A Civic Hub for local action

Across the Midlands, rural communities are navigating population change, uneven access to resources and services, and limited local capacity. At the same time, they’re rooted in strong traditions of generosity and community leadership. As a Civic Hub, the Foundation builds on those strengths by bringing together residents, nonprofits, donors, businesses, and public leaders to create collaborative solutions. Through community affiliate funds, regional giving initiatives, community engagement, grantmaking, and partnerships, it helps turn locally led ideas into action.

“Being a Civic Hub means trusting that local people already know what their communities need. Our role is to help turn local knowledge into shared action by connecting volunteer leaders, permanent local funds, regional giving, and community listening.”

—Georgia Mjartan, President and CEO
Central Carolina Community Foundation (2026 Civic Hub grantee)

Community impact in practice

One notable recent project: Midlands Gives, the Foundation’s year-round giving platform, engages thousands of residents in supporting nonprofits across the region. In 2026, over 11,000 people supported over 500 nonprofits in just one day.

The Foundation also elevates the voices of individuals to ensure that residents shape decisions, invest locally, build trust, and see themselves in a shared future. Their recent community assessment combined more than 3,400 survey responses, public data, and facilitated conversations. One rural community reflects the depth of engagement this effort elicited: more than 30 residents and leaders gathered on a 100-degree July day to share what they value, what is changing, and what they want to build together.

The opportunities ahead

With Trust funding, the Foundation will expand its impact by staffing a Director of Community Impact and four community connectors. These roles will build relationships, organize local participation, and support community action funds that provide flexible resources for shared local priorities.

Photos courtesy of Central Carolina Community Foundation.