COLUMBIA, S.C. – July 18, 2008 – The Central Carolina Community Foundation (CCCF), a nonprofit corporation that empowers donors to make effective charitable giving decisions by linking them to different areas of community need, announces its donation of $500,000 to the Midlands Housing Alliance to fund the Homeless Transition Center that is planned for the current Salvation Army site in downtown Columbia. Today, $100,000 was granted with an annual commitment of $100,000 for the next four years.
“Our role as a community foundation is not only to support humanitarian needs in our community,” stated Board Chair David Sojourner, “but also to address strategic issues and to be a catalyst in bringing together leaders, donors and organizations working to resolve community problems. Our Board of Trustees recognizes that this comprehensive plan is the best approach to break the cycle of homelessness.”
CCCF will challenge and encourage its donors to contribute to the Alliance and the homeless services center, which was jump-started by a $5 million challenge grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation June 26, 2008. The grant provides $5 million to fund the development of the center and organizers are seeking approximately $5 million from private organizations and the business community, and an additional $5 million from our local government.
Board Vice-Chair Mike Kelly said, “I am very enthusiastic about this strategic opportunity and am committed to supporting it both as a board member and personally. I encourage others in the community to do the same.”
The CCCF has long contributed to addressing the issue of homelessness in the Midlands. As a constituent in the 2004 Blueprint to Address Homelessness and awarding nearly $300,000 to support housing and homelessness in 2007 and 2008, the CCCF believes the comprehensive services center is the next logical step for the Foundation, as well as for the community.
“Our experience working with the homeless people of New Orleans after Katrina offers clear evidence that the transitional center concept with all services provided in one location is an extremely effective way of working with the homeless,” said board member Samuel Tenenbaum. “If we can do it for New Orleans, we can do it for the Midlands!”
Gayle Averyt, a founder and supporter of CCCF, said, “The Knight Foundation’s challenge gift has given Columbia a realistic opportunity to deal effectively with our homelessness problems. Also no organization has more experience managing all aspects of the homeless problem than the Salvation Army. It would be tragic if we don’t take full advantage of the Knight Foundation’s challenge gift. I commend the Central Carolina Community Foundation for making this bold commitment and strongly encourage others to do the same.”
About Central Carolina Community Foundation
Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization serving 11 counties in the Midlands by distributing grants and scholarships and linking the resources of donors, nonprofits and community leaders to areas of need. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.yourfoundation.org or call (803) 254-5601.