Coastal Community Foundation of SC

It is with mixed emotions that we share that Melissa Levesque will be stepping down from her role as Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer. Melissa has been a significant source of knowledge and expertise for the Foundation. Since joining CCF seven years ago, Melissa has helped to organize and build first-class Development & Stewardship and Marketing & Communications teams, select and integrate new donor supportive technology, and position the Foundation as the philanthropic partner of choice for so many in our 9-county region. While Melissa will be leaving the Foundation, we are happy to share that she will not be leaving our community and we may have the opportunity to cross paths with her professionally again. While we are not at liberty of sharing where she is going in this note, there will be a public announcement of her new role soon. Please join us in wishing Melissa luck as she makes the transition from philanthropy to the next chapter in her career.

Our gallery of CCF-inspired art is growing! Thank you Bernadette Cali-Leland for your beautiful take on our logo. See this piece and many others created by our Griffith-Reyburn Lowcountry Artists of the Year at our 50th anniversary gala in November. Drinks & Dancing tickets are still available here: https://lnkd.in/evyhww3V

?? Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties... it's time to weigh in. Over the past several months, we've conducted dozens of interviews, 20+ listening sessions, an online survey, and extensive research to create a community-authored vision for the 4-county region. We have a draft ready to share with you! This vision will impact our partnerships, grants, and the direction of our work for the next 25 years. We can't finalize it without your feedback, so we are inviting you to join us at one of the six town halls we are hosting in October. Register now: https://lnkd.in/eRSH7ppi

At CCF we understand that volunteers are the backbone of the nonprofits we support and each year we take a day to donate our time as a group. We split into two groups to volunteer with Camp Happy Days and I Serve With Joy. Camp Happy Days provides support to children diagnosed with cancer and their families. At their headquarters, CCF staff painted the new fence, tended to the garden, and organized the storage closet. I Serve with Joy supports underserved and single-parent families through many initiatives. CCF staff gathered at the Citadel Mall to prep the storefront for the All Things Baby Symposium, where single moms were able to shop for (free) baby clothing items. We were proud to roll up our sleeves to Be The Reason Why you have a little less manual labor on your hands this week. ??

As we wrap up the month of August, we reflect on the significance of working together toward a common goal. The Lowcountry African American Giving Circle gives community members the opportunity to pool their financial and social capital to make a bigger impact on the community. Learn more about the importance of Black Philanthropy Month and the Giving Circle's work:

Calling high school juniors! ?? Applications for the Rev. Pinckney College Readiness program are open NOW. Through this program, students receive test prep, career and soft skills training, and guidance and mentorship through the college application process (college tours, research, financial aid, scholarships, etc.) Plus, completing the College Readiness program means students are eligible to apply for the Rev. Pinckney Scholarship at the end of their senior year. APPLICATIONS CLOSE OCTOBER 4. Find eligibility requirements and application details here: https://lnkd.in/gEu7syfA

August is Black Philanthropy Month! Members of the Lowcountry African American Giving Circle recently appeared on Palmetto Life to share more about how partnering in their giving helps to make an even bigger impact. WATCH: https://lnkd.in/e8EifruC

Colleton County experienced significant flooding from Tropical Storm Debby and hundreds of homes were inaccessible for days. Even as the floodwaters recede, there will be extensive work to be done to repair homes, businesses, and infrastructure. CCF is ready to help by offering grants to nonprofits providing relief and recovery in Colleton. The application is open now ?? https://lnkd.in/epv_imcU

Thank you Taylor Faulkner for reimagining our 50th Anniversary logo for the upcoming gala! Faulkner was the Griffith-Reyburn Lowcountry Artist of the Year in 2021. She says she is drawn to animal and human forms and tends to see creaturesque things in graphic design. She chose to lighten the colors and create more boldness through the lines. She wanted to "create something noodley" as a contrast to the distinct lines of the original logo. We are having so much fun seeing each artist's interpretation of our CCF50 logo. See them all at the gala in November! Tickets are almost gone, so secure your spot today: https://lnkd.in/evyhww3V

The Jewish Endowment Foundation of South Carolina is an affiliate organization of CCF. Check out this interview with JEF's Executive Director to learn more about the work they do to support the Jewish values of tzedakah (justice), tikkun olam (healing the world), and k’lal Yisrael (Jewish peoplehood).