Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro
Motivating, equipping, and empowering people to find a better life. That is the mission of a nonprofit called StepUp Greensboro. With the help of the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, the agency is helping people make positive changes in their lives.
Americans around the country will pause to celebrate Independence Day.
They’ll attend community events, host backyard barbecues with friends, and watch brightly-colored fireworks explode in the evening sky. Our ancestors came from different cultures, different countries and different backgrounds. While we collectively celebrate being Americans, we still try to preserve our cultural heritage, and one group in the Piedmont is working to do that in several ways.
The coconut dance is a folk dance often performed during Cambodian wedding ceremonies. On this day, it’s in celebration of the Lunar New Year with children from the Cambodian Cultural Center located in Greensboro.
“It was founded in 2012 in order to help preserve [Cambodian] cultural heritage,” says Treasurer An Strickland. “We offer programs such as arts and also community efforts and leadership and mentorship programs with our youth.” Strickland says it’s important to teach young Cambodian Americans the traditional arts, language and history of Cambodia.
In return, they help older Cambodian immigrants and refugees. “The programs that we offer are the traditional arts as far as dance culture,” she says. “We also do Cambodian literacy programs as well and a lot of community efforts to help our elderly and non-English speaking residents.”
Nearly 300,000 Cambodians escaped conflict and genocide in their homeland in the 1970s and sought refuge in the United States.
Many settled in Greensboro in 1982, and in 1986, they purchased land for Wat Greensboro, a Buddhist Center on Liberty Road in Greensboro.
The Cambodian Cultural Center has offices nearby. It relies on volunteers, but the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro helps through community grant programs.
“The community foundation has helped enhance our program itself as far as our cultural dance programs as well as showcasing our culture itself. We’ve offered cooking classes. They’ve been able to assist us with that, and we’re going to be starting a traditional classical music class as well,” says Strickland.
In addition, CCC offers community assistance with vegetable giveaways and vaccine clinics. If you want to learn more or if you would like to volunteer your time, visit https://www.cccofnc.org/
Health care isn’t cheap; sometimes even if you have medical insurance; but one agency in the Piedmont is making care available regardless of insurance coverage or financial status.
Triad Adult and Pediatric Medicine provides medical services at six locations in Guilford County thanks in part to help from a community foundation.
Chief Financial Officer Danielle Cole says, “we are a federally qualified health center. We do preventative medicine, wellness checks, immunizations, acute care.”
That may sound like every medical office, but Cole says what makes her organization unique is it cares for all patients, even the uninsured and those who cannot afford to pay out of pocket. The money comes from the Tri-County Health Fund administered through the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro.
“We consider ourselves to be a safety net provider,” says Cole. “So a lot of times if a person is uninsured or they don’t have insurance or the thought is ‘I have a limited amount of income and that needs to go towards gas or food.’ I’m not going to go and get care until it’s a really bad situation, and a lot of times I’m going to end up in the emergency room. Now I have more debt. I have a huge bill, and now I’ve bogged down that system with something that I could have gone to the doctor for and probably been treated and not had to create that effect.”
A scholarship in memory of one of Greensboro’s most beloved educational leaders has created a pathway to success for generations of Guilford County teachers.
When John R. Kernodle, Jr., died suddenly in 1995, at the age of 50, the News & Record announced his passing, saying, “Greensboro lost part of its conscience and its soul.”
John was beloved and admired for the many ways he served this community, the most notable of which was his role as chairman of the Guilford County Board of Education. His commitment to developing an outstanding school system for the children of Guilford County is surely one of his most enduring legacies.
A year after John’s death, a group of Guilford County citizens, working through the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, established the John R. Kernodle, Jr. Memorial Scholarship to honor the memory and life’s work of this incredible man.
Each year, one exceptional graduate of Guilford County Schools is the lucky recipient of this scholarship, which provides up to $10,000 each year for four years to cover tuition and fees, on-campus room and meals, and books and supplies as he or she pursues a degree in education.
In return, upon graduation, Kernodle Scholars are required to serve at least three years as a full-time teacher in grades K-12 in North Carolina public schools, preferably in Guilford County.
Every recipient of the John R. Kernodle Memorial Scholarship is special, but they are especially so to Lynn Wright Kernodle, John’s widow. She keeps a small photo album containing each Scholar’s graduation picture, along with their name, high school, graduation year, and where they attended college.
She knows each of their stories and delights in the fact that Kernodle Scholars get together, year after year, welcoming the new Scholars and creating a living legacy of educators.
To learn how you can honor a loved one while also making an impact in our community for years to come, contact us today.
1. Gift a Donation in Their Name:
Instead of traditional presents, consider making a donation to a charitable organization in the name of your friends or family. Choose a cause that aligns with their values, whether it’s supporting education, healthcare, or environmental initiatives. You’ll be giving a gift that keeps on giving, making a difference in the world on behalf of your loved ones.
2. Shop with Purpose:
Opt for gifts from businesses that support charitable causes. Many companies offer products where a portion of the proceeds goes to nonprofits. Look for brands with a commitment to social responsibility, and your holiday shopping becomes a double gift – a thoughtful present for your recipient and a contribution to a good cause.
3. Volunteer Together:
The gift of time can be just as valuable as material presents. Consider organizing a volunteer day with your friends or family. Choose a local charity or community project and spend a day making a direct impact. Not only will you be giving back, but you’ll also create lasting memories and strengthen your bonds with loved ones.
4. Charity Gift Cards:
Gift cards are a popular choice, but why not make them more meaningful? Choose charity gift cards that allow the recipient to donate to their favorite cause. It gives them the flexibility to support a nonprofit that resonates with them personally, turning the gift card into a powerful tool for positive change.
5. Create a Charitable Wishlist:
Encourage your loved ones to create a charitable wishlist alongside their traditional one. Many nonprofits offer platforms where individuals can list specific items or services they need. Share these wishlists with friends and family, giving them the opportunity to make a direct impact by fulfilling these needs in the name of holiday giving.
By incorporating charitable giving into your holiday traditions, you not only spread joy but also contribute to the spirit of giving back. Whether through donations, volunteering, or purpose-driven shopping, these heartwarming gestures add an extra layer of meaning to the season of generosity. This holiday, let the spirit of giving shine bright in every gift you share.
We want to extend a special Thank you to all of our dedicated volunteers, board and committee members, fundholders, and donors! Without the efforts that all of you put forth, our work would not be possible.
The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro has announced a seasonal grants program to support nonprofit organizations that help feed the community on Thanksgiving. These grants will provide essential support to groups that are hosting free community meals open to the public, distributing food for individuals and families to prepare at home, or delivering meals to those who are homebound on Thanksgiving day.
The Thanksgiving Fund is accepting applications now through the Community Foundation’s Online Grant Portal, and the deadline is Tuesday, October 31st at 11:59 pm. The funds may be used for food, supplies, and other costs associated with Thanksgiving initiatives.
To be eligible for these grants, organizations must have 501(c)3 status, be located in Guilford County, and provide services in Guilford County. Priority will be given to projects that provide food or meals to those experiencing homelessness, people whose incomes are below the federal poverty threshold, and older adults in Greensboro. For a complete list of eligibility requirements, please visit cfgg.org.
The Community Foundation’s Thanksgiving Fund was created in 2011 with the purpose of serving meals on Thanksgiving Day to community members. To date, $150,000 has been contributed to the fund to support this important initiative with thousands of meals provided throughout the region.
To apply for the Thanksgiving Fund Grant, visit Thanksgiving Fund Grant Application
From September 15th to October 15th, 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.
