2011 Annual Report
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Celebrating 301981 ~ 2011 Years 2011 Annual Report BOARD OF DIRECTORS LETTER FROM THE BOARD CHAIR: Omisade Burney-Scott, North Carolina Imara Canady, Georgia This has been a very exciting year Shanon Hart, North Carolina for us. In March, we celebrated Darren L. Holmes, Chair, South Carolina our 30th Anniversary, and are Demetria Ledbetter, Vice Chair, North Carolina Sheila Moore, Georgia proud to be still standing through- Dwayne Patterson, Georgia out the turmoil of the economic Diane R. Roberts, Georgia downturn. Sadly, many organiza- Fred Rossini, Treasurer, Georgia tions had to close their doors but fortunately, thanks to you, the Fund was able to hang in there. We also began the process of undergoing a strategic planning process that will soon be a blueprint for another path of success for the Fund! With your help, FSC plans to expand our ability to support grassroots organizing that leads to systematic change. We are happy to have awarded over twenty grants this STAFF year and we trust that after reading this annual report, Alice Eason Jenkins, Executive Director you will further understand why it is so crucial that Gersinta Sims, Program Assistant the Fund is able to continue to support the work of Titilayo Ihesinachi, Finance Manager these organizations that are striving so hard for jus- Elizabeth Reynolds, Americorp VISTA Member tice. Ashley-Lyne Vandenberg, Americorp Vista Summer Associate Quentin Browne, Information Technology The signifi cance of your contributions can not be overstated. Our success is the result of the commit- ment and generosity of our donor community, board members, staff, volunteers and our entire stakeholder population. The Fund for Southern Communities is pleased to present, 30 years later, our 2011 annual report. Beyond Our Walls Inc. Contact Us In Solidarity, 315 W. Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 1061 Decatur, GA 30030 404.371.8404 (o) 404.371.8496 (f) Darren Holmes Board Chair www.fundforsouth.org [email protected] 2 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY FSC!!! 30 YEARS OF SOCIAL JUSTICE GRANTMAKING! It was an audacious proposition thirty years ago when a small number of committed “Activists” and concerned citizens decided to create a funding source in the South to support grassroots social change organizations that seldom receive money from traditional funders. The founders were deeply concerned about the future of the movement for racial, economic and social justice. Well, 30 years later, we are still concerned about those very issues and more. As Activists and concerned citizens, they understood the need for more resources at the grassroots level. They had a vision of an organization that would help meet the needs related to those issues. GALEO “Therein lies the audacity of our experiment”. The group boldly ventured forth with a big idea but few resources. They were determined that the foundation would not rely on any single donor’s fortune; there would not be a large endowment; the organization would have to depend on the generosity and commitment of many people throughout the region and there would be a need for lots of partners. If it worked, it would signal a new breed of philanthropy in the South. Well it worked and 30 years later, the audacious experiment is now celebrating its 30th Anniversary!!!!! How do we measure the success? What’s the evidence? In the fi rst year, FSC awarded 22 grants to grassroots organizations – it was through those new grantee partners that the vision of the Fund became a reality. 30 years later, thanks to the sup- port of our steadfast donors, FSC has award thousands of grants ranging from $500.00 to $75,000, totaling over $8 million. These grants have been awarded to organizations that depend on your support to help them put an end to the harsh injustices that surrounds us all everyday! These numbers speak volumes and WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU! The evidence is that one cannot travel far through Georgia, North Carolina or South Carolina without fi nding a community where FSC’s funding has been put to work. The Fund is essential for community-based leadership… one of the key sources of support for emerging organizations here in the South. – George Esser Black Youth Vote, GA. SpiritHouse, Inc. THREE DECADES OF GRANTMAKING… AND COUNTING! For thirty years, FSC has been able to fund some really awesome groups, for many different reasons. Far too many to adequately share, but just to name a few of our grantee partners over the last 30 years, a fuller listing of grantee partners is included later in this report. Over the years, we have partnered with sister organizations to expand our funding area through collaboratives that span from North Carolina to Arkansas and Texas, including a special Hurricane Katrina funding initiative. Metro Durham Sponsors In 1981 – 82, Burke County Improvement Association (GA) received a grant, amongst our fi rst batch of grants, in the amount of $1,000 to support the fi ght for voter rights and voter education workshops for Black citizens of Burke County. 3 In 1982 - 83, Center for Community Self-Help (NC) was awarded $800 to complete a feasibility study required to get a federal credit union charter. The funds provided from FSC lead to the formation of the Self-Help Credit Union. Focusing on the needs of the low-income people, in the Triangle area, Self Help Credit Union is now one of the largest community based lending institutions in the nation. In 1984 – 85, Citizens Against Toxic Substances (SC) received $3,500 to collect tissues samples of 10 children in order to determine if the local water supply has exposed the community to Polychorinated Bi- pyhelis, a poisonous toxin found in the local water supply. In 1986, Durham Citizens Roundtable (NC) was awarded $1,800 for general support of their plan to achieve a modern, non-discriminatory public transit system that serves the transportation needs of low- income county residents. In 1987 - 88, AID Atlanta (GA) received $2,100, one of its fi rst grants, to conduct a campaign of risk- reduction education in Atlanta’s black communities. Today, AID Atlanta is the largest HIV/AIDS service organization in the Southeast. In 1989, Radio Free Georgia (WRFG) Broadcasting Foundation (GA) received $700 to help develop a Hispanic Health Coalition of Georgia weekly radio program for, and produced by, older Atlantans to provide essential information about services and public policy issues. In 1990 - 91, SisterLove (GA) was awarded $2,500, as a start up grant, to educate Atlanta, and especially communities of women, about AIDS prevention, self-help and safer sex techniques. Today, SisterLove still strives to eradicate the adverse impact of HIV/AIDS and other reproductive health challenges upon women and their families through education, prevention, support and human rights advocacy. Atlanta based, SisterLove has expanded its reach throughout the United States and around the world, including South Africa. In 1992 - 93, Sistercare (SC) was awarded $1,000 for their Battered Women’s Clemency Project. This project worked with current and formerly battered, incarcerated women, enabling them to move from being victims to becoming advocates for themselves and others. FundF for Southern Communities allows us to provide a voice for the voiceless. – Dexter Wimbush (NE Georgia Black Leadership Council) Coalicion de Organizaciones Latino - Amerianas Thanks for being our shoulder and for providing the money needed in South Carolina for the building of the Environmental Social Justice Network. – Mildred Myers (SC Environmental Watch) Nannie Washburn and Modjeska Simkins Carolina Arts Network I feel like my money not only supports innovative grant-making, but the kinds of partnerships and Leaders with Mayor on HIV testing day technical assistance that increase the capacity of small and/or geographically isolated organizations. – Josephine Lindsley 4 In 1994, North Carolina Lesbian and Gay Health Project (NC) received $4,000 to create an education program, Black Men United, which provided culturally-specifi c HIV risks reduc- tion information to African American men who have sex with men, hoping to increase safer sex practices. In 1995 - 96, Empty the Shelters (GA) was awarded $1,000. This student-oriented group had a mission to end poverty by involving the poor in the movement by mobilizing young people into a support network. This network monitored police activity among the homeless, SOPO Bicycle Cooperative researched the impact of the Olympics on Atlanta’s low cost housing stock, educated members about welfare reform legislation and much more. In 1997, The East (SC) received $4,000 for youth training, educational, social and cultural program that involves and pro- vides African-American youth a culturally sensitive supplement to the public school curriculum, while encouraging involve- ment in broader community political and cultural activities. In 1998 – 99, Newtown Florist Club (GA) received $8,000 to partner with the Hispanic community in Gainesville to push for environmental justice locally, and to provide leadership in state and regional networks. In 2000 – 01, Network for Serious Teens & Adults Acting Responsibly (SC) was awarded to encourage community in- volvement and leadership skill development among minority youth. In 2002 – 03, Triangle Disability Advocates (NC) received $3,000 to support their efforts of disabled homeless individuals fi ght against discrimination encountered many times in their efforts to secure Social Security benefi ts. In 2004, Georgia Poultry Justice Alliance (GA) was awarded $5,000 to support their environmental initiative focused on challenging the poultry industry to make environmentally sound decisions. In 2005, SC Equality Coalition Foundation (SC) received $2,500 in support of their educational outreach campaign with a mission to secure civil and human rights for gay, lesbian and transgender South Carolinians. In 2006, Saving Ourselves (GA) was awarded $10,000 to support the community organizing work that they engaged in along the Gulf Coast region in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama post Hurricane Katrina.