Give – Page 2 – Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro

Highlighting Hispanic and Latinx Communities of Greensboro

Kabrina Shamburger on October 10, 2023

From September 15^th to October 15^th, we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. This is a time to honor the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latinx communities in the United States. The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro takes pride in the work we do to promote cultural diversity and create an equitable environment for people from all walks of life. We are taking this moment to appreciate the enduring impact of Hispanic and Latinx individuals and to acknowledge the vital role these communities play in shaping our collective identity. We have invited Hispanic and Latinx community leaders from the Greensboro area to share what Hispanic Heritage Month means to them.

“For me, Hispanic Heritage Month is about strengthening community connections and cultural understanding, and I volunteer for two organizations that live these values: Casa Azul of Greensboro and the Greensboro Literary Organization/Greensboro Bound Literary Festival. This fall, Casa Azul is partnering with Greensboro Bound through its Authors Engaging Students to bring Latinx authors to Guilford County Schools and its spring book festival. More to come on that soon!”

Martin Acevedo
Vice President of Marketing & Communications at CFGG

“Every Hispanic Heritage Month, I am reminded of my family’s journey to America and the invaluable contributions of the more than 1 million Hispanic/Latinos in North Carolina. Together, we can build a more inclusive and thriving community for all.”

José Olivia
Chief of Staff of Guilford County Schools & CFGG Board Member

José Olivia immigrated to the United States as a teenager. He currently serves as chief of staff of Guilford County Schools. He is the first Latino to serve as chief of staff of a large urban school district in North Carolina. In his prior roles, he served on Governor Cooper’s Advisory Council on Hispanic/Latino Affairs, the City of Greensboro International Advisory Committee and was elected the first Latino and youngest student body president of his college.

“Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to reflect on my roots. As a CFGG employee, I am cognizant of the experiences of those who came before me, and I aim to honor this within my work.”

Megan Quiñones
Program Officer of Grantmaking Programs at CFGG

“Hispanic Heritage Month reminds us that this is a good moment to embrace our differences and to support each other on life’s journey. I am proud of my Latina and Latin American heritage and celebrate it year-round,”

Kattya Castellón
Entrepreneur, Local Small Business Owner & CFGG Board Member

Kattya is of Nicaraguan descent and is an entrepreneur and small business owner in downtown Greensboro. Prior to this, she worked in higher education at UNCG for 16 years as an Associate Director of Admissions. Part of her role at UNCG was to support Latinx students on campus—many who were first generation college goers. Kattya remains very active in Greensboro’s growing Hispanic/Latinx community as an advocate and volunteer—a passion and purpose that began in Managua and benefits our region today.

Equity Allies Giving Circle Welcomes New Members

Kabrina Shamburger on September 18, 2023

A group of Community Foundation donors committed to addressing equity issues in Greensboro has launched the Equity Allies Giving Circle. An outgrowth of the Equity Allies affinity group, founded in 2019, the giving circle focuses on pooling members’ donations to make impact grants that target systemic inequities in Greensboro. Led by Robin Lane, the group includes about 20 Community Foundation donors and meets regularly to learn about and discuss local issues involving social and racial inequities. Circle members are currently exploring the causes and effects of medical debt, particularly on people of color, with a plan to make an initial grant by the end of the year. “We are viewing our work through a justice lens,” Lane said. “We want to address root causes of social and racial inequities, advocating for and funding ideas and programs that go beyond charity.” The circle is open to anyone affiliated with the Community Foundation and welcomes new members, with an initial donation of $2,500 per household required for participation in the leadership, or decision-making, group. Funds can be transferred directly from a CFGG DAF to the Giving Circle fund. For more information, please contact Robin Lane at robin7.lane@gmail.com or at (336) 312-8802. — Ann Morris

NCCJ to Honor Mae Douglas and Dr. Patrick Harman

Kabrina Shamburger on July 27, 2023

North Carolina for Community and Justice (NCCJ) will honor community leaders Mae Douglas and Dr. Patrick Harman with the Brotherhood/Sisterhood Citation Award at their 57^th annual Citation Award Dinner on Wednesday, November 8, chaired by Leslie Dunne Ketner and Robert C. Ketner.

“NCCJ is delighted to honor Mae and Patrick,” says Ivan Canada, NCCJ’s executive director. “These two remarkable people are both multi-hyphenate community leaders. Mae and Patrick are volunteers – and mentors – and philanthropists. They make generous investments, but they don’t stop there. They then roll up their sleeves and do the work of creating the change they want to see for our communities. They’re using every resource they can to break down barriers, foster collaboration and partnership, and set our Triad community on the path toward a future that’s good for all of us – not just some of us.”

“Robert and I are proud and excited to chair this important event,” says Leslie Dunne Ketner. “In a polarized world, love is the only hope – and NCCJ is dedicated to bringing people together in understanding, acceptance, and love. We can’t wait to gather with our community this fall to celebrate Mae and Patrick and shine a spotlight on some of the incredible work these leaders are doing to uplift and strengthen our community.”

ABOUT OUR HONOREES

Greensboro native Mae Douglas is a lifelong advocate for racial and social justice. After a distinguished career as a corporate business leader and human resources executive, Mae came home to Greensboro – and got to work. Driven by her belief in the promise Greensboro embodies, calling it “a place of diversity, compassion, vision, and collaboration,” Mae is working to build a better city for future generations growing up in our community.

Since retirement, Mae has invested her time, talents, and resources as a volunteer, mentor, and philanthropist. She is dedicated to advancing the policy and systemic changes necessary to achieve full equity and accessibility in education, health care, business development, and all facets of life for those in our community. Her efforts are often focused in predominantly Black areas like those in East Greensboro where she grew up, since investments in the city’s growth historically left out neighborhoods like hers.

Mae currently serves with organizations such as Cone Health, UNC-Greensboro, and the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro. She previously served with several others, including NCCJ. Most recently, she played a key role in establishing the Black Investments in Greensboro (BIG) Equity Fund, a permanent endowment with a vision to transform the well-being of Greensboro’s Black communities.

During Mae’s career, she was nationally recognized for her significant contributions to diversity efforts and leadership development across the telecommunications industry. Mae has been honored many times for her work in the Triad, including the 2020 Athena Award by the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce; the 2022 Outstanding Greensboro Philanthropist by the Association of Fundraising Professionals – NC Triad Chapter; and the 2022 Thomas Z. Osborne Distinguished Citizen Award by the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, and the 2023 Black Business Ink Power 100 Award.

Dr. Patrick Harman works tirelessly to improve the quality of life for all people in his hometown of High Point. For more than 20 years, he has leveraged his Hayden-Harman Foundation to bring about positive, lasting change in our community. Patrick’s impact is both deep and wide; he quietly plays a key role in many aspects of High Point’s civic life and community development.

Much of Patrick’s work has focused on revitalizing the Washington Street area, High Point’s historic Black Main Street, through commercial and residential building renovation, business and economic development, and youth education and leadership initiatives. He founded Growing High Point to address healthy food access through comprehensive and sustainable food systems through the creation of urban farms, a food hub, and a mobile grocery store.

Seeking to grow the capacity of all nonprofits to respond to community trauma, Patrick founded Resilience High Point, a nonprofit that encourages public, private, and nonprofits to collaborate on building systems for a compassionate community. Patrick also launched the Bridge project that will serve as a comprehensive community-based hub of support to address healthy food access, health services access, job skill training, agribusiness development, and youth development.

Patrick has worked closely with organizations including D-Up, Elon University, Forward High Point, Greater High Point Food Alliance, Growing High Point, the John Coltrane International Jazz Festival, the Washington Street Community Association, United Way of High Point, and others.

Patrick’s philanthropic and social change work is informed by his background in political science and policy, and educational research methodology and psychology. His honors include the 2014 Esther Award from the Welfare Reform Liaison Project and a 2015 Fulbright award for supporting work alongside social scientists at Durham University to identify neighborhood-rebuilding projects deemed most effective by politicians, nonprofits, and community members.

ABOUT THE CITATION AWARD DINNER

The Citation Award Dinner is the Triad’s largest annual event dedicated to diversity and inclusion. It is also NCCJ’s biggest community program and fundraiser. Honoring Mae Douglas and Dr. Patrick Harman and chaired by Leslie Dunne Ketner and Robert C. Ketner, the 2023 Citation Award Dinner will be held both in-person and virtually (live streaming) on Wednesday, November 10, at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro. Doors to the Guilford Ballroom will open at 5:45 p.m. for the reception, with the dinner and program taking place from 6:45 to 9 p.m.

Visit NCCJ’s website, www.nccjtriad.org/citation to reserve your tickets or event sponsorship, or to make a gift in honor of Mae Douglas or Dr. Patrick Harman. All revenue from the dinner provides essential support for NCCJ’s work throughout the year.

MORE ABOUT NCCJ

NCCJ is a human relations organization working to create compassionate and just communities free of bias, bigotry, and racism. We promote understanding and respect among all cultures, races, and religions through advocacy, education, and dialogue.

While we work with people of all ages, NCCJ’s youth leadership work is our cornerstone. We support teens’ mental health and social and emotional development by building their confidence, self-esteem, and resilience; showing them firsthand the value of diversity and the importance of inclusion and equity; helping them see their own agency to create positive change; and facilitating social connections with peers and adult allies to grow and strengthen their support systems.

NCCJ’s best-known youth program is Anytown. Since the 1980s, thousands of local high school students have participated in this weeklong youth leadership and human relations summer camp. Thousands more have attended NCCJ’s in-school programs like Anyday and Break the Cycle: Be the Change, which focuses on teaching students to recognize and counteract the stereotypes and prejudices that lead to bullying and discrimination.

In addition to our youth-focused programs, NCCJ also offers community programs like The Reset and Open Minds, Respectful Voices, as well as diversity and inclusion training for educators and other adult professionals.

Contact nccj@nccjtriad.org to arrange an in-person or virtual NCCJ program or presentation for your school, workplace, or organization.

Building a Better Greensboro through Impactful Giving

Holly Holliday on June 9, 2023

$212,500 in nonprofit grants awarded to support health and wellness, economic mobility, and cultural vibrancy in the Triad

The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro announced $212,500 in nonprofit grants to support the Foundation’s focus on health and wellness, economic mobility, and cultural vibrancy. $164,500 was awarded through its competitive Community Grants Program, and $48,000 was distributed through the Tri-County Health Fund. “We are excited to support nonprofits contributing to a thriving and culturally diverse Greensboro,” said Bishop Adrian Starks, Chair of the Grants Committee. “These grants will increase these organizations’ capacity to respond to current and emerging needs in our community,” said Starks. The grantees of the Community Grants Program are:

African American Atelier, Inc.
The Arc of Greensboro
Cambodian Cultural Center of North Carolina
Combat Female Veterans Families United
Eastern Music Festival
Magnolia House Foundation
Montagnard Dega Association, Inc.
National Institute of Minority Economic Development/Women’s Business Center of Greensboro
North Carolina African Services Coalition
On Track Education, Inc.
StepUp Greensboro

In addition, the Tri-County Health Fund, a fund of the Community Foundation, announced $48,000 in 2-year grants for three organizations. The fund supports organizations working with uninsured, underinsured, and Medicaid populations in Guilford, Randolph, and Rockingham County. The first-ever recipients of funding from the Tri-County Health Fund include:

Central Carolina Health Network
Free Clinic of Rockingham County
Triad Adult and Pediatric Medicine

“We are very pleased to announce the first-ever Tri-County Health Fund grantees,” said Megan Quiñones, Program Officer for Grantmaking Programs. “The Tri-County Health Fund’s unique focus on access to affordable healthcare will respond to healthcare challenges in our region for years to come,” said Quiñones.

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Below is background on the organizations and a brief description of the projects receiving funding from the Community Grants Program and the Tri-County Health Fund. African American Atelier, Inc. ($15,000) The African American Atelier, Inc. is committed to supporting and presenting the work of artists of color while exposing, educating, and engaging the residents of Guilford County. Funding from the Community Grants Program will support organizational capacity, maintain and expand current programs, present culturally diverse art exhibitions, and offer a symposium focused on the business side of art to artists in our community. The Arc of Greensboro ($11,000) The Arc of Greensboro is committed to securing rights for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the opportunity to choose and realize their goals of where and how they learn, live, work, and play. Funding from the Community Grants Program will support the Arc and Arts, a program that exposes people with intellectual or developmental disabilities to various art mediums and cultural institutions throughout Greensboro. Cambodian Cultural Center of North Carolina ($10,000) Cambodian Cultural Center of NC (CCC of NC) works to build our communities across North Carolina, together. We are run and led primarily by second-generation Cambodian Americans whose mission is to help preserve the Cambodian cultural heritage and identity among younger generations of Cambodian Americans who are born in North Carolina. Funding from the Community Grants Program will support organizational capacity and expand programming centered around food sovereignty. Combat Female Veterans Families United ($25,000) Combat Female Veterans Families United provides transition services to Combat Female Veterans (CFVs) and their families, supporting life after war. Funding from the Community Grants Program will provide general operating support and support the expansion of current programs. Eastern Music Festival ($8,000) Eastern Music Festival’s (EMF) mission is to promote musical enrichment, excellence, professional collaboration, innovation, and diversity through a nationally recognized teaching program, music festival, concerts, and other programs that will enhance the quality of life, health, and vitality of our region. Funding from the Community Grants Program will support the EMF’s Encircling the City Outreach program which is an educational performance and service-learning project designed in collaboration with the Greensboro Public Library. Magnolia House Foundation ($15,000) The Magnolia House Foundation, Inc. intends to restore and maintain the structure and operation of the historic motel. Once complete, an exact replica of the NC Green Book site and what it represents to the region can be properly documented. Funding from the Community Grants Program will provide general operating support and strengthen organizational capacity. Montagnard Dega Association, Inc. ($20,000) The Montagnard Dega Association (MDA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Community-Based Organization formed in 1988. We exist to unite and strengthen the fraternal ties of all persons of Montagnard heritage, to create a positive environment for all to meet, to build safe, healthy communities, to inspire education, and to preserve our cultural heritage. Funding from the Community Grants Program will provide general operating support and allow for an expansion of cultural arts programming for refugee communities in Greensboro. National Institute of Minority Economic Development- Women’s Business Center of Greensboro ($30,000) The Women’s Business Center of Greensboro promotes economic self-sufficiency for all women in the Greensboro, North Carolina area through entrepreneurship. Funding from the Community Grants Program will support expanded programming offered through the Women’s Business Center of Greensboro. North Carolina African Services Coalition ($11,000) The North Carolina African Services Coalition (NCASC) provides services to refugees, asylees, and human trafficking victims who settle in Greensboro, NC, and is dedicated to empowering refugees and immigrants of the Triad through direct social services and employment programs. Funding from the Community Grants Program will support the NCASC’s Tulip Society for Afghan and Refugee Women program which is a support space for women, and their children, who have been forcibly displaced from their home countries to connect with one another, participate in workshops, and attend outings to cultural institutions throughout Greensboro. On Track Education, Inc. ($12,000) On Track Education, Inc. is here to help struggling students. We collaborate closely with teachers to design a tutorial experience that will help the students in class. If needed, we coach students on-site or tutor them after class to assist them in reaching academic success. Funding from the Community Grants Program will provide general operating support and programmatic support for a summer literacy, math, and entrepreneurship program in Northeast Greensboro. StepUp Greensboro ($7,500) StepUp Greensboro works to motivate, empower, and equip individuals to become self-sufficient and stable through employment and life skills training. Funding from the Community Grants Program will support organizational capacity and the expansion of StepUp Greensboro’s Job Readiness program. Central Carolina Health Network ($4,000 a year for 2 years) The Central Carolina Health Network (CCHN) mission is to serve people by expanding access to quality care for persons living with HIV and reducing the spread of HIV through education and prevention. Funding from the Tri-County Health Fund will support transportation services for clients. The Central Carolina Health Network provides services in Guilford, Randolph, and Rockingham County, along with four other counties in Central North Carolina. Free Clinic of Rockingham County, Inc ($10,000 a year for 2 years) The Free Clinic of Rockingham County recognizes the right of low-income, uninsured citizens of Rockingham County to have access to health care that compassionately meets their essential medical and pharmacy needs. Funding from the Tri-County Health Fund will support the launch of a culturally relevant Diabetic Intervention Program for Rockingham County’s Hispanic and Latino population. Free Clinic of Rockingham County provides services in Rockingham County. Triad Adult and Pediatric Medicine ($10,000 a year for 2 years) Triad Adult and Pediatric Medicine is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with one purpose: to provide care for you and your family, regardless of your ability to pay. Funding from the Tri-County Health Fund will support patient advocacy. Triad Adult and Pediatric Medicine provides services in Guilford County. The Community Grants Program is the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro’s annual, competitive grants process for nonprofit organizations. In 2023, this grantmaking program awarded one-time operational grants to smaller nonprofits that support Greensboro in becoming a more economically mobile, or culturally vibrant community. These grants will support organizations whose missions align with the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro’s focus to maximize opportunities that meet community needs. The Tri-County Health Fund is a field of interest fund established in 2021. In 1998, Community Care of North Carolina launched a pilot program designed for the Medicaid population in Guilford County. This pilot soon expanded to Randolph County and Rockingham County. Over the last 20 years, Partnership for Community Care transformed into a multi-sector effort expanding access, decreasing cost, and improving health outcomes for 118,000 individuals from across the three counties. In 2019, this publicly funded program dissolved. The remaining assets were entrusted to the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro resulting in the establishment of the Tri-County Health Fund.

Marcus Thomas: Investment in Housing will Fuel City’s Economic Engine

Holly Holliday on July 25, 2022

Among the most critical decisions facing Greensboro voters at the ballot box July 26 is the fate of a $30 million bond proposal that would create desperately needed housing for our city’s workforce, increase access to home ownership and reinvest in the health and safety of our neighborhoods.

This investment could not come at a better time. Denver-based Boom Supersonic plans to open a $500 million, full-scale jet manufacturing facility at Piedmont Triad International Airport in 2024, the same year Toyota is slated to start production at its new $1.3 billion electric battery plant at the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite in Liberty. And Publix is on track to begin hiring workers as soon as October for its new $400 million distribution center in McLeansville.

All told, these three major employers plan to create at least 4,500 new jobs — and likely even more considering the ancillary suppliers expected to follow suit. New jobs generate new tax revenue: When workers choose Greensboro as a place to live, they grow our tax base and spend money in our city. They fuel our economic engine.

But new industries moving into our region depend on employees who can live and work nearby. And therein lies a serious problem. Greensboro’s current housing stock reached an alarming low during the past year, according to the Triad Multiple Listing Service, with inventory decreasing nearly 23% for single properties and nearly 28% for townhouses and condos. The condition of existing housing is equally bleak: A housing study commissioned by the city found the majority of multi-family units are more than 50 years old and sorely need rehabilitation. (See graphic.)

Couple this with the fact that prices for entry-level houses continue to skyrocket, and new workers moving to our community for these jobs will be hard-pressed to find decent, affordable places to live.

The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro (CFGG) stands ready to work toward a solution. The housing bond is the first step toward leveraging private and public capital to provide low-interest loans for developers who commit to preserving existing multi-family housing in need of repair and building new affordable units.

As a next step, CFGG has already been connecting with other forward-thinking individuals, private foundations, financial institutions and investors who understand the nexus between good jobs and good places to live. These emerging investment partnerships will help Greensboro address the severe shortage of quality affordable housing facing our workforce. So, too, would the housing bond proposal on the ballot July 26.

Consider it a wise investment — in our city’s economy and collective quality of life — that will pay dividends for years to come.

Michael Humphrey: Equitable Philanthropy

Holly Holliday on May 31, 2022

Over the years, equity has become a hot topic amongst nonprofit organizations, but what is equity? No matter what industry or cause an organization supports, equity should be at the forefront and a driving force of how an organization operates.

In this edition of The Conversation, CFGG’s Vice President of Operations and Equity, Michael Humphrey, highlights how CFGG implements equity philanthropy.

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1. What does philanthropy mean to you?

Philanthropy to me is giving, caring, and playing an active role in the well-being of a community. It is defined as the desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes. Whether defined by me or by Merrian Webster, at its core philanthropy represents the good that can be attained for a community. The question for me came because I didn’t feel that philanthropy was a realm in which I could dwell as a person of color. My perception of philanthropy was that it was all ‘brick-and-mortar’ fundraising, reserved for very wealthy white people. I saw philanthropy as something that only families with names like Carnegie and Rockefeller, need bother with…and I could not have been more wrong, because I too am a philanthropist. While those wealthy American families utilized their wealth to help communities by building hospitals, colleges and universities, businesses, etc., that bear their names, it was their giving that directly impacted people, and that carries further with me.

It was not until my introduction to the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro that I realized that philanthropy was within my reach, without being either wealthy or white. On the contrary, I am a Black man who isn’t wealthy, but as a native of Greensboro, I desire to witness, nurture, live, and create a better life in Greensboro for myself, my family and all citizens of this great city. I never imagined moving back to Greensboro, after nearly 25 years aways, and to be able to invoke change, and leverage my position as a platform to teach others about philanthropy is beyond my wildest dreams. This is also an opportunity to utilize various tools of philanthropy to not only raise money for important causes such as housing, workforce, and education, but to also see how it can be used to manifest change in public policy and give voice to issues of social justice. Philanthropy to me means greater opportunities for all.

2. What is CFGG’s role and responsibility in fostering diversity and equity?

The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro bears the responsibility of servicing a community that is majority-minority, with a population that is approximately 52% ethnic minority and 48% white. So, when it states that CFGG’s vision is a city where people work together to enrich the lives of all, there is an expectation of CFGG to look representative of the community in its staff and Board of Directors, and for CFGG’s work to benefit everyone. We work hard to be an organization with diverse leadership, inclusiveness in our partnerships and with our volunteers, and equitable throughout all our work and various initiatives. The theme and principles of equity are infused throughout all aspects of our work.

We have incorporated a ‘Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement’ which reads:

“Our communities are diverse. They include people of all ages and abilities, creeds and religions, cultures, ethnicities, gender identities, national origins, and socioeconomic backgrounds. To pursue our mission, we will embrace our diversity, create opportunities for equity, commit us to fairness, and promote inclusion of all people.”

3. How can CFGG leverage partnerships to have a greater impact?

The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro must use collaborative partnerships to achieve our vision of our city as a welcoming and thriving place where people work together to enrich the lives of all. The operative term in our vision is ‘enrich the lives of all’, not just some, but all! Through our role as fundraisers and granters, we can create financial resources to grant to local non-profits and help to finance the work of other organizations that do more of the programmatic grassroots work. We not only raise funds, but we also serve as convenors, pulling together key community stakeholders including local politicians, business leaders, civic and community leaders, and Greensboro residents, to create opportunities for all residents of Greensboro.

4. How does CFGG’s mission and values align with the needs of the community?

The mission of CFGG states: “The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro inspires giving, maximizes opportunities and strengthens communities for every resident.” Greensboro, like many cities across the country, has its great points but faces some challenges as well. With an initiative like Guilford Jobs 2030, we are working to tackle one of those challenges. The challenge is a local workforce not adequately trained to fill skilled roles that are available now, and even more to come. Our goal here is to reach 60% of the local workforce being adequately trained/certified to fill these roles by 2030. There is a local affordable housing shortage that we are addressing with the creation of a housing fund used to fund builders in this type of development. We are also working to nurture and further develop local entrepreneurs, especially considering that most of the employers in Greensboro are entrepreneurs. This entrepreneurial sector must get our continued support.

The CFGG values include: Diverse and inclusive leadership, Strong entrepreneurial spirit, and Access to meaningful opportunities for every resident. I’ve talked a bit about CFGG’s diversity in leadership, and it is fact that diverse groups have proven more creative than groups of people with no diversity. It’s important that Greensboro and CFGG both remain creative and innovative entities. Likewise, a strong entrepreneurial spirit is needed both internally and externally as we go about our work in and around the Triad region. And finally, communities can’t thrive in a disparity-filled have and have-not environment. People generally are not looking for a hand-out, but more-so a hand-up and that is the definition of equity itself. It’s leveling the playing field, so that all can play in this game called life, and its truly organizations like CFGG and so many others that must figure how to invest in Main Street versus Wall Street. Philanthropy to me is about people and what vehicles can be used to enhance the lives of all citizens alike.

Ann Flynt: Women in Philanthropy

Holly Holliday on April 25, 2022

Over the years, society’s view of what philanthropy is and who can be a philanthropist has drastically changed.

Research has shown that women play a central role in the charitable giving space. There has been a shift in our culture whereas women are making more independent financial decisions. As a result, there has been a rise in the role women play in philanthropy. From donating to giving circles to holding leadership roles within charitable organizations, the presence of women in philanthropy is increasing.

In this edition of The Conversation, CFGG’s Director of ETWI and Guilford Apprenticeship Partners, Ann Flynt, provides insight into her journey and experience being a woman working in philanthropy.

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How does your career at CFGG help and/or influence your passion and goal in life?

All my life, I have felt the need to help people, but also wanted to excel in the business world. I began my career as a commercial underwriter for a large insurance company right out of college, but then life happened — I got married and quickly became the mother of 2 children. I was lucky to be able to stay home and take care of my 2 children for 7 years while my husband worked to support the family. When I decided to re-enter the workforce, I switched from my business focus to becoming an educator. The daughter of a college professor who spent her entire life around college campuses, becoming an educator was in my blood — there were a number of family members who were educators.

I began my career as a teacher assistant, and I worked my way up from a teacher assistant to a teacher, to assistant principal, to finally principal, earning additional college degrees and credentials along the way. But being the CEO of a school was not all that I thought it would be. So, I went looking for something new that would not only challenge me but also use my business and education knowledge and background. I was lucky enough to find that perfect position here at CFGG when I was hired as the Four County Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator with the Eastern Triad Workforce Initiative. I could not believe how lucky I was to not only find the perfect position, but also the best mentor and boss in Donna Newton who was the Director of Workforce Initiatives at CFGG. In my new role, I would be working with students, parents, educators, business-people, and community members. It was the perfect fit — a balance of education and workforce — with a focus on apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships are the gold standard of the workforce, and how blessed was I to have the opportunity to help develop Guilford Apprenticeship Partners (GAP) youth apprenticeship program. Helping young people find their career pathway and giving them the opportunity to earn a college degree with no debt, while also building a career for themselves — how powerful and rewarding! The work that GAP does is life-changing and truly inspirational as I get to see young people find their calling while also blossoming into adulthood! Additionally, I get to use both my business and education background.

How do you overcome the challenges you face?

I believe with hard work, faith, and determination you can overcome and survive any challenge you face. My family is a source of strength to me when I have had to deal with difficult situations, and I know that they will always be there cheering me on, telling me that I can do it! I am so thankful to have such a supportive family— Family means everything to me!!

What is a quote that empowers/inspires you?

This quote from Winston Churchill truly inspires me:

Success is not final

Failure is not fatal

It is the courage to continue that counts.

What advice would you like to give to other women?

I would like to encourage women to support each other, encourage each other, and band together to continue to make our community stronger and stronger each day!

Ending the Cycle of Poverty Through Micro-Enterprise

Kabrina Shamburger on March 15, 2020

Passion to Purse and YWCA Greensboro are empowering women to start small businesses as a big step toward financial security.

In 2015, the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro’s Women to Women endowment fund awarded its first-ever, multi-year grant to Passion to Purse. This program, offered through YWCA Greensboro, is aimed at ending the cycle of poverty and homelessness by helping low-income and minority women start micro-enterprises.

While the core of the program remains an eight-week course covering business development, market research, pricing, and financial projections, it also offers a safe space for these women.

“It was like a support group for them,” said Rosalyn Womack, founding director of Passion to Purse. As the women worked on their individual businesses, they were also helping each other through the adversities they faced in their own personal lives.

Now in its fifth year, Passion to Purse has countless success stories of helping women create jobs for themselves. From selling hair products and hand-made soaps to opening bakeries and online consignment stores for designer children’s clothing, the “graduates” of Passion to Purse can be found living and thriving across our community.

The program is also thriving. Since receiving its first grant from Women to Women, Passion to Purse has been able to secure additional funding due in part to the prestige of that first grant.

“It makes other funders very comfortable [to know that] Women to Women found it fundable,” said Lindy Garnette, Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Greensboro.

To learn how you can donate to causes like this and others that are empowering people to create better lives for themselves, contact us today.