Central Carolina Community Foundation

David W. Robinson Catalyst Award

The Community Foundation believes that vision, innovation, collaboration and cooperation are necessary ingredients to enhance the communities where we live and work. The David W. Robinson Catalyst Award recognizes organizations in our 11-county service area that have exemplified these characteristics in addressing critical community issues.

The Catalyst Award is presented to organizations that have identified and responded effectively to a significant contemporary area of concern, mobilizing resources in addition to their own to improve the community. The award, created in memory of David W. Robinson, was established by the Foundation and the Robinson Family in 1994.

Guidelines

An organization may nominate itself or an individual may nominate an organization. The format for the nomination should be a letter no more than three pages in length with specific information explaining the organization's efforts to make a difference in our community in a significant way.
 
The nomination must include the organization's official name, address, telephone number and the name of a contact person at the organization. The name, address and telephone number of the person submitting the nomination must also be included. Please submit only one nomination.

Judging Criteria

A committee of the Community Foundation serves as the selection panel and will choose the award winner. The committee will evaluate the nominations by judging:

• the persistent effort of the organization to find a solution to a complex problem.
• the creativity of the organization to explore alternative approaches.
• the involvement and participation of other segments of the community in the process.
• the specific outcomes and accomplishments to date.

Deadline

Nominations must be in the Foundation office by 5:00 pm on June 17, 2011.  Please mail, hand-deliver or email proposals to:

David W. Robinson Catalyst Award
c/o Central Carolina Community Foundation
2711 Middleburg Drive, Suite 213
Columbia, SC 29204
grants@yourfoundation.org

Announcing the Recipient

The 2011 Catalyst Award will be presented at the Foundation's Annual Celebration in September. The selected organization will receive a $3,000 unrestricted grant and a recognition plaque.

About Mr. Robinson

Mr. Robinson was a founding member of Central Carolina Community Foundation and was active in numerous other charitable organizations, including the United Way of the Midlands, YMCA, Carolina Children's Home and Columbia Museum of Art. He was an activist in his legal career, a charter member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church and a civic leader who served on many blue ribbon committees for the development of metropolitan Columbia.

Previous Winners

Columbia Housing Authority
Greater Columbia Literacy Council
Souper Bowl of Caring
The Columbia World Affairs Council
Family Connection of SC
Cooperative Ministry
Junior League of Columbia
HOPE for Kids
Healthy Learners
Children’s Chance
Brookland Foundation
Women’s Shelter
Communicare
Fast Forward Technology Center
The Free Medical Clinic
ParentingPartners
Eau Claire Shalom Ministries
Sistercare