Regional Mayors Forum Urges Public to Donate to
S.C. Flood Relief Fund at Central Carolina Community Foundation to Address
Long-Term Needs
100% of donations go directly to local, non-profit
organizations providing flood relief in Midlands
Grant
applications for 501c3s open Nov. 2, 2015 at YourFoundation.org
- $100,000 matching gift challenge announced -
October 29, 2015 (Columbia, S.C.) – The Regional Mayors Forum – a
collaborative of all mayors in Richland and Lexington Counties, as well as
mayors from Sumter and Camden, S.C. – urges the public to donate to the S.C. Flood Relief Fund at
Central Carolina Community Foundation, where 100% of donations go directly to
local, non-profit organizations providing flood relief in Midlands. To make a
donation, visit www.yourfoundation.org/SCFloodRelief.
Flood
Relief and Recovery: A Long-Term Process
Many communities and individuals in the Midlands
are still in severe crisis due to the massive, 1,000-year flood of early
October 2015. Based on knowledge shared by leaders in Nashville, TN, and
Bismarck, ND, both of which have experienced historic floods, it may be years
before the region recovers, which is why collaboration with many partners is so
essential.
Central Carolina Community Foundation’s partnership with
the Regional Mayors Forum will increase the Foundation’s understanding of
community needs, since the mayors will be able to provide critical information
from constituents and help the Foundation deploy funds for long-term
rebuilding.
"The
Thousand-Year Flood destroyed roads and bridges, breached dams and washed away
homes across the Midlands and beyond leaving countless families displaced,”
notes City of Columbia, S.C., Mayor Steve Benjamin. “The waters didn't care
if you lived in Columbia, Forest Acres or Cayce, Richland County or Lexington
and it's going to take all of us coming together as one community if we're ever
going to truly recover."
“It's important that as mayors we stand
together on the rebuilding process, because we are one region,” says City of Cayce, S.C., Mayor Elise Partin. “In
Cayce, our Public Safety officers performed over one hundred rescues from cars
or homes during the storm, but we weren't left with the widespread
devastation experienced by other cities. We work, live, play and shop
in all parts of the Midlands, and as a forum of mayors from cities across
this region, we speak with one voice in asking for individuals and businesses
to recognize the long-term needs that affect us as a whole – and to help make a
difference.”
For over 30 years, Central Carolina Community Foundation
has been the trusted vehicle for philanthropy in the Midlands, to connect
donors with areas of need every day. With the S.C. Flood Relief Fund, the
Foundation is using its expertise to be the conduit for donations to help flood
victims over the long term.
“The mayors have chosen the Community Foundation to help
communicate the needs of their citizens to funders across our region – to
connect donors with community need,” says JoAnn
Turnquist, President and CEO of Central Carolina Community Foundation. “We
have established a vetting process to identify the most effective and impactful
nonprofits addressing the needs of flood victims, and we are utilizing best
practices developed by our colleagues in other cities that have experienced
similar disasters. On November 2, 2015, nonprofits can find information about
how to apply for a grant at www.yourfoundation.org/SCFloodRelief.”
“The damage to
homes and the effect of rising and raging water is beyond comprehension,”
reports Frank Brunson, Mayor of the City
of Forest Acres, where dam breaches along the Gills Creek Watershed
resulted in flooding above the rooftops. “Many lost all of their personal belongings,
and small businesses’ inventories that once garnished proudly arranged shelves
now lay in piles waiting to be hauled off as rubbish. It is gut wrenching and
heart breaking to hear the tragedies of each person’s tale – but for every hand
that reached out in need, scores of others responded with help.”
Breaking News: $100,000 Matching Gift
Challenge
One
family responding to the needs of folks in the Midlands is the Lipscomb Family.
Their Foundation has been a longtime supporter of our region and is a Community
Foundation partner. They are stepping forward to help our community rebuild.
Starting today, their foundation will match all gifts to the S.C. Flood Relief
Fund up to $100,000. To donate, visit www.yourfoundation.org/SCFloodRelief.
How Nonprofits Can Apply for Grants from the S.C. Flood Relief
Fund
Phase I grants will fund relief and recovery assistance programs provided by
nonprofit organizations in the Community Foundation’s service
area. Starting Nov. 2, 2015, 501c3 nonprofit organizations (or those with a
501c3 fiscal agent) associated with flood relief and recovery may request up to
$25,000 via RFP at www.yourfoundation.org/SCFloodRelief.
Preference will be given to
applicant organizations in FEMA declared disaster areas. The review
committee will consist of members of the Community Foundation Board of Trustees
and an Advisory Committee made up of community members, including members of
the Regional Mayors Forum.
Support from Regional Mayors
Forum
A critical mass of Regional Mayors Forum members have come out in
support of the S.C. Flood Relief Fund, including Mayor Steve Benjamin, City of
Columbia; Mayor
Michael Bishop, Town of Springdale;
Mayor Troy Bivens, Town of Gaston; Mayor Frank Brunson, City of Forest
Acres; Mayor
David Busby, Town of Pine Ridge;
Mayor Rita Crapps, Batesburg-Leesville; Chairman Johnny Jeffcoat,
Lexington County Council;
Mayor Hardy King, Town of Irmo; Mayor Steve MacDougall, Town of
Lexington; Mayor
Joe Owens, City of West Columbia;
Mayor Elise Partin, City of Cayce; Mayor Geraldine Robinson, Town of
Eastover; Mayor
Michael Ross, Town of Blythewood; Chairman Torrey Rush, Richland County
Council; Mayor Tony Scully, City of Camden;
Mayor Ray Spires, Town of Swansea; and Mayor J. Robert "Skip"
Wilson, Jr., Town of Chapin.
About
the Regional Mayors Forum
The Regional Mayors Forum is a
collaborative of all mayors in Richland and Lexington Counties, as well as
mayors from Sumter and Camden, S.C. Started six years ago by the Mayor of the
City of Columbia, the Forum has focused on relationship building and
communication. Understanding that we are one region, the Mayors have now taken
the group to a more formal level by working with EngenuitySC to focus on
collaborative actions that enhance each of our cities and lead to a stronger,
more competitive and prosperous Midlands.
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 area leaders to communities in
need. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.yourfoundation.org or call 803.254.5601.
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