Nonprofit Connections - November 2020

NONPROFIT CONNECTIONS

Fall 2020

A NOTE FROM OUR VP FOR COMMUNITY INVESTMENT

Happy Holidays from the Community Investment Office

As is customary, November is a month of reflection. We have all faced many challenges this year that were almost impossible to anticipate. Community Foundation of the Lowcountry has had the opportunity to provide resources that have helped.

We're thankful for all you do to serve the Lowcountry community. We value our partnership with you, and we look forward to new opportunities next year.

Debbie

Debbie Cahoon,

Vice President for Community Investment

Community Foundation of the Lowcountry

Grant Programs

Competitive Grants

October 1 brought our first impact grant cycle deadline. As we move toward impact area grantmaking, we've redesigned our application to focus on the impact our applicant agencies have on the community through their organization and projects. Our next deadline date is April 1, 2021. It's not too early to get started on the process.

Opportunity Grants

Opportunity grants continue to mirror our (larger) competitive grants, with the same focus on impact, and are available to organizations that serve people in Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton or Jasper Counties.

Organization Development Grants

We continue to offer these capacity-building grants to pay up to $5,000 for the use of a consultant to increase agency sustainability. These grants are available to organizations that serve people in Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton or Jasper Counties.

Impact Information Sessions

Impact Information Sessions are required for organizations that are interested in applying for one of our grants. We're not offering in-person sessions at this time due to social distancing guidelines.

We'll work with each organization on an individual basis. Contact Debbie Cahoon or Jill Dawson to schedule an Impact Information Session tailored to your specific needs.

COVID-19 Grant Programs

Lowcountry Community COVID-19 Response Fund Grants

The Lowcountry Community COVID-19 Response Fund committee has awarded over $550,000 to organizations within Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties that are working to meet pressing needs created by the pandemic. We're not actively seeking requests at the present time but will keep you updated on the status of future funding cycles.

Hilton Head Island COVID-19 Fund

In partnership with the Town of Hilton Head Island, CFL created the Hilton Head Island COVID-19 Fund to distribute HUD grants to organizations that provide services to citizens impacted by COVID-19. Organizations must be a 501(c)3 nonprofit, providing services within the Town of Hilton Head Island, to low and moderate income citizens of the Town. Maximum amount per grant is $75,000 and the organization must be able to verify that the majority of the population they serve is low to moderate income, based on HUD specifications. Grant projects or programs must be in alignment with HUD criteria. All funds must be distributed by March 31, 2021.

The Giving Marketplace

We're very proud of the impact The Giving Marketplace has had on the Lowcountry Community. This GuideStar product has given nonprofit organizations, regardless of their size and/or scope, the ability to showcase their history, impact, needs, goals and programs to donors, volunteers and funders. Submitted and approved profiles were automatically updated in the national GuideStar profile as well.

Unfortunately, GuideStar has discontinued the Donor’s Edge platform that housed The Giving Marketplace. You will now maintain your profile directly in GuideStar. All active 501(c)3 organizations within our four-county service area have profiles that are visible on The Giving Marketplace page of our website. We encourage you to look at yours and verify that it accurately represents your organization. Completed profiles in GuideStar are a requirement for our competitive, opportunity, organization development and Lowcountry Community COVID-19 Response Fund grants.

Contact Debbie Cahoon if you have questions or need technical support.

Lowcountry Volunteer Connections

The Season of Giving is upon us. Please post your Holiday Volunteer Needs under the Season of Giving Initiative on Lowcountry Volunteer Connections.

As always, please feel free to contact Jill Dawson if you need any help posting a volunteer need.

SoLo SCAVA Change

SoLo SCAVA to LAVA

Despite all the efforts of dedicated South Carolina Association of Volunteer Administrators (SCAVA) board members, it was unable to sustain its organization. However, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry and the affiliate members of SoLo SCAVA recognize the importance of the mission of providing education, ideas and advocacy to our local volunteer administers. For this reason, we would like to continue the work of this organization under a new group named Lowcountry Alliance of Volunteer Administrators (“LAVA”) with Community Foundation of the Lowcountry as the group’s fiscal agent.

Please fill out this one-question survey about the best day and time for our programming meetings.

1st Annual LAVA Holiday Zoom & Volunteer Recognition Awards!

In lieu of our usual holiday mixer, we'll have a Holiday Zoom Social to recognize your organization’s outstanding volunteers. Come join us to kick off the Holiday Season!

You're encouraged to wear holiday attire for your Zoom square - antlers, Santa hat, ugly sweater, whatever you want! (The Zoom link is below.)

Please consider nominating your organization’s volunteers. It's so meaningful to them to be recognized for their efforts. Please contact Jill Dawson for details on nominating.

Event details are below:

LAVA Holiday Zoom and Volunteer Recognition Awards

Date: Dec 3, 2020

Time: 3 PM Eastern Time

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 732 925 8543

Community Investment Office News

Unfortunately, we had to say farewell to Mary last month as she made the decision to return to Columbia. It is never fun to say goodbye, but Mary has offered to assist with projects as needed. Jill and I hope to be able to introduce you to our new team member soon.

Have an idea you’d like to share? Suggestions about Lowcountry Volunteer Connections? Want to learn more about how to get the most out of your Marketplace profile? E-mail Debbie Cahoon or Jill Dawson. We’d enjoy hearing from you!