Central Carolina Community Foundation, the Midlands’ leader in collaborative philanthropy, invites residents in Richland and Lexington counties to lend their voice during On the Table happening March 6-12. For Midlands residents seeking to take action in their communities, $20,000 is available through Beyond the Table Mini-Grants.

“On the Table provides community members with an opportunity to form connections through meaningful, solution-focused conversations,” says JoAnn Turnquist, president and CEO of Central Carolina Community Foundation. “These conversations are the first step in igniting collaborative, positive action in solving each of our communities’ issues.”

The Community Foundation will host three solution-focused, virtual conversations that include key connectors and community members from Richland and Lexington counties, concentrating on each community’s assets and strengths and thinking collaboratively about solutions. Interested residents can register at www.OnTheTableCola.org.

County-specific conversations are scheduled for:

• Richland: Tuesday, March 8 at noon
• Lexington: Wednesday, March 9 at noon

Resources Available for Residents Seeking to Host Their Own Conversations

The Community Foundation also encourages residents of the Midlands to join together for their own conversations. Midlands residents seeking to gather for their own solution-focused conversation can use On the Table conversation guides and toolkits provided by the Community Foundation and available at www.OnTheTableCola.org. Conversation guides include information and guided questions in the areas of education, race relations, civic engagement, poverty, food insecurity and social justice — areas of opportunity that were identified in previous years on On the Table conversations.

Beyond the Table Grants to Ignite Action

Five Beyond the Table mini-grants totaling $20,000 are available for Midlands nonprofit organizations in collaboration with Midlands residents seeking to take action in their respective communities. Beyond the Table grants will fund projects addressing a community need based on a conversation held among at least 4 or more community members. Applications open on March 1 and close on March 31. Information about the grants can be found at www.OnTheTableCola.org.

For more information or to sign up to attend, visit www.OnTheTableCola.org or call 803.254.5601.