Nonprofit Spotlight

Metanoia Community Development Center (CDC) is a faith based organization focused on building leaders, establishing quality housing and generating economic development in the North Charleston community, particularly the Chicora/Cherokee neighborhood. The recipient of a Community Achievement Award in 2004, Metanoia continues to strive to overcome challenges such as poverty and crime in the Chicora/Cherokee neighborhood by identifying and investing in the potential of this community. They have several youth programs targeted at building future leaders such as the Young Leaders Program and the Youth Entrepreneurship Center. They are also tackling the problem of a lack of homeownership by developing a housing development, homeownership counseling and an owner occupied repair program.

To learn more or to become involved with this organization that is making a positive change in the North Charleston community visit their website at http://www.pushingforward.org/.

Foundation Spotlight

Ethel-Jane Westfeldt Bunting Foundation Trust
This independent foundation, founded in 1998, gave $43,500 in grants in 2006. They give primarily in South Carolina in the areas of higher education, animals and wildlife, coastal conservation and historic preservation. They have awarded grants to the St Andrews Cemetery Fund, Confederate Home and the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League as well as many others throughout the US.
For more information on this and other foundations, check out the Foundation Directory Online at the Main Library, 68 Calhoun St.

Upcoming Events

Be a Mentor - The South Carolina Be A Mentor Initiative observes National Mentor Month with a recruitment event that will celebrate mentors and the positive effect they have on young lives. Thu., Jan. 31, 5:30-7 p.m. 10 Storehouse Row, 2120 Noisette Blvd.,

Francis Marion National Forest Cleanup - PalmettoPride and the USDA Forest Service team up again to clean up S.C's national treasure Sat., Feb. 2, 8 a.m. (803) 758-6034, www.palmettopride.org

Carnevale - Party featuring heavy hors d'ouvres, Italian and Brazilian cocktails. Proceeds benefit Charleston Stage Company. Costumes welcome, beads and mask provided. Tue., Feb. 5, 6-9 p.m. Muse, 82 Society St. (843) 577-1102.

Habitat for Humanity Benefit- featuring Sol Driven Train and Cary Ann HearstProceeds go toward Charleston Habitat and NOLA Musician's Village. Tue., Feb. 5, 6:30 p.m. Sottile Theater 44 George St. (843) 953-6340, www.charlestonhabitat.org/

Pounds for Prizes - Fields to Families hosts this event to raise awareness and collect donations of fresh produce for the area hungry. Sat., Feb. 9, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. (843) 881-6798, Earth Fare, 74 Folly Road www.fieldstofamilies.org

What's the Purpose?

I thought I would take the opportunity of it being a new year to evaluate the purpose of this blog and get input on what you would like it to include.
My goal is for this blog to be a way to share information about the local nonprofit and grant writing community. Every week I intend to spotlight a foundation and a local nonprofit agency. I also would like to post any upcoming events, deadlines, etc. As for other posts, what would you like to see? Grantwriting tips? Tips for promoting your agency?
I would really appreciate any input you have and would like to start getting some requests for nonprofit spotlights. Please email me at jonesmi@ccpl.org.
Thanks.
Misty

Needs Assessment Workshop Reminder

The Needs Assessment: It Will Make or Break Your Proposal
Date: Thurs., Jan. 24, 2008Time: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Advanced Techniques for Grant Writing Professionals
Sponsored by the Charleston Association of Grant Professionals (CAGP)
Featuring best –selling author and experienced grant writer,Dr. Linda Karges-Bone
Participants will learn strategies for crafting a winning needs assessment within the context of a strong narrative. Tips on grant design and assessment will be integrated throughout the training.
Workshop held at Charleston Southern University (Gold Room)9200 University Boulevard.
Registration Fee: $40. Includes the book and CD The Educator’s Guide to Grants
To register, email Carolyn Lackey at carolynlackey@comcast.net or visit www.educationinsite.com for more information.

A Useful Tool for Writing Your Needs Assessment

The Charleston Association of Grant Professionals (CAGP) will meet on Tuesday, January 15th, at 5:45 p.m. in the auditorium of the Charleston County Public Library.

SPEAKER: Roxanne Medina-Solomon, J.D., Sr. Vice President of Community Building, Trident United Way

TOPIC: A Useful Tool for Writing Your Needs Assessment

"Trident United Way (TUW) has spearheaded the Community Issues Management (CIM) Collaborative to provide a mechanism for us to engage stakeholders in identifying, analyzing and prioritizing issues that impact our community and region. This national collaboration is comprised of a learning community and a unique internet-based system with customized decision support tools. This suite of tools enables decision makers to conduct place-based analyses and generate maps and dynamic reports. The state and national datasets, which are updated on an ongoing basis, include: socio-economic, demographic, health, jurisdictional, political, environmental, emergency preparedness, and infrastructure data. CIM provides a mechanism to influence policy and funding decisions by telling a more informed story about the needs of their community and the impacts of existing policy at the local level. The long term goal is to more effectively align federal and state funds, along with local philanthropic giving, to where the need is greatest. CIM will allow communities to apply their local tacit understanding of place to a scalable national-level framework for data-rich comparative analysis."

Reservations are requested for this program. Please email carolynlackey@comcast.net or call 843 452-4492.

Idealist.org

"Idealist is a project of Action Without Borders, a nonprofit organization founded in 1995 with offices in the United States and Argentina. Idealist is an interactive site where people and organizations can exchange resources and ideas, locate opportunities and supporters, and take steps toward building a world where all people can lead free and dignified lives."

www.idealist.org