History

Even before Central Carolina Community Foundation was officially incorporated on September 25, 1984, the idea of establishing such an organization dated back much further. In the '60s and '70s, Columbia attorney David W. Robinson and C&S Bank trust officer Marshall A. Shearouse sought to create a foundation to serve the Midlands. The momentum finally came to life in 1984 when a meeting in Charlotte ignited Midlands community leaders with the idea of a foundation.

Members of the Board and supporters of Charlotte's Foundation for the Carolinas hosted a luncheon in the spring of 1984 for Columbia's business leadership, including J. Willis Cantey, John G. Boatwright, Arthur M. Bjontegard, Charles W. Knowlton and John L. Heins. Upon learning of the positive role of the Charlotte foundation, the Columbians were impressed by its success, and they believed that the time was right for Columbia to follow the lead of Charlotte and other metropolitan areas in the nation to establish a community foundation.

The infectious enthusiasm generated by this meeting had other positive spin-offs. Realizing that a community foundation ultimately would assist many of the same agencies supported by the United Way, the local United Way board decided to support this initiative financially. A $25,000 grant was given by the United Way to provide seed money to establish and operate Central Carolina Community Foundation. The Foundation's proponents began to share their excitement with others, and the membership of the Foundation's early board was easily recruited.

G. Cameron Todd, the Foundation's first president, asked Marshall Shearouse to serve as the foundation's volunteer executive director. Marshall brought his extensive experience as a bank trust officer and trustee of other foundations to the Community Foundation. The business community and community-minded individuals were committed to the development and growth of the Foundation, and they recognized that the Foundation would complement other area activities such as the United Way and the Cultural Council.

By 1987, the board determined that a full-time, paid executive director was needed to ensure that the Foundation met its growth potential, and Jo Mengedoht Cox was hired. At Evan Nord's suggestion, the Foundation also began the Directors' Initiative in 1987 to help underwrite the future operating expenses of the Foundation. Contributions totaling $250,000 were raised quickly from board members and corporations. In 1988, $25,000 in administrative support was received from The Knight Foundation. Later that year, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation approved a two-to-one matching grant to the Foundation to create an administrative endowment.

In 1988, Evan and Cindy Nord made a $1 million challenge gift to the Foundation to encourage others in the community to give. The Nords challenge helped raise an additional million dollars which served as an early catalyst to growth.

The Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties became the first organization to place its endowment with the Foundation in the fall of 1990. The United Way of the Midlands and the Carolina Children's Home both placed their endowments with the Foundation shortly thereafter, and others have also followed.

Today, the assets of the Foundation are more than $74 million. More than $33 million has been invested in the community since 1989 when the first grants were awarded.  Counties served are Calhoun, Clarendon, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda and Sumter.