Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Things Aren't Always as They Appear; Dig Deeper to Make an Impact

2012-01-25T08:39:00.001-05:00

One of the things I have learned over the past 16 years at the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina is that things are not always as they appear. Often times, we who work in the field of philanthropy are challenged with interpreting what others put before us. Whether it is a letter, face-to-face meeting, grant proposal or something else, it is incumbent upon us to sift through the language and get to the heart of the idea or concept.

A grant proposal, for example, that is polished and well written with every question answered perfectly and every thought well stated, is a good thing. Some grantmakers give the “presentation” of a proposal added value because it is so attractive. On the other hand, strong writing skills do not necessarily translate into the perfect idea or project that a funder should fund.

Several years ago a concept came to the Foundation in the form of a handwritten two-page letter. It was not written well and the presentation itself was poor. We looked beyond all of that and found an idea that had merit. It was an idea that was going to benefit the community. It was going to support young people and bring local churches together to work towards a common goal in an impoverished neighborhood. So we decided to take things a step further. We met face-to-face with the community leader and you could see and hear her passion. She had a plan to make the project work and a pathway to get there. She was simply unable to write it clearly on paper. Needless to say, we took a chance and funded the program. It was very successful and, over the years, changed the lives of many young people in that poor neighborhood.

We cannot get consumed in the glamour of a beautifully written letter or proposal because it may be nothing more than that, beautifully written. Funders have a responsibility to turn over rocks and look deeper to find the best organizations and people that will create positive community impact. Sometimes it is right in front of our faces and sometimes it is not.

We are implementing a new change at the Foundation in 2012 which addresses this very issue. We will be meeting face-to-face with finalists for our Strategic Grants so they have an opportunity to dialogue directly with the Foundation’s grants review team. This will give both the grantseekers and the Foundation the chance to interact and the grant reviewers can ask questions to help strengthen the Foundation’s understanding of the proposal.

There are thousands of great organizations doing good work as they serve the needs of others. I believe it is our responsibility to find ways to uncover the "heart" of a program and the “passion” of the people who champion the programs. Nicely written proposals are easy to read and appreciated. However, our goal—as a funder—is to always find those organizations and the people behind them that can truly have impact through their work and the potential for successful results, regardless of the writing.

Learn more about the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina’s 2012 Strategic Grants or attend the Grant Seekers Forum. The deadline to apply is March 6, 2012.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Diversity Matters; An Open Call for Nominations: 2012 Leadership in Diversity Award

2012-01-18T10:06:00.000-05:00

The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina is looking for individuals whose work and commitment towards diversity has left an impact on South Carolina. The Foundation is accepting nominations for its second annual Leadership in Diversity Award through March 31. The recipient will be selected by a committee of staff, board members and community leaders and announced at a June Grant Awards Luncheon.

The Leadership in Diversity Award, established in 2011 to commemorate the Foundation’s 15 years in philanthropy, recognizes an individual that illustrates exemplary performance in the area of diversity and inclusion. The award honors those that serve as a model and whose accomplishments are made through community engagement, awareness, bridge building, compassionate leadership and courageous advocacy. Leadership in Diversity Award recipients demonstrate a commitment to cultural awareness and are steering the successful integration of diversity, equity and fairness principles into practices.

The deadline to submit the online nomination for the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina 2012 Leadership in Diversity Award is March 31, 2012. The winner will be announced at a June Grants Luncheon.

Do you know someone making a difference? Nominate an individual who practices leadership in diversity and inclusion. You may include up to three letters of support.

For more information, visit the Foundation’s Web site or email the Foundation.

The Foundation is committed to addressing the needs of the poor and underserved in all 46 South Carolina counties, and strategically uses resources to reduce poverty through action, advocacy and leadership. The Leadership in Diversity Award illustrates the Foundation’s commitment to working with and among diverse populations and recognizing those who have championed diversity through their actions and leadership.

The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina is committed to God's people represented in many races, ethnicities, languages, genders, religions and abilities. Diversity matters and is in the forefront of everything we do as an organization and in the decisions we make as a funder.

Courageous Leaders

2011-12-21T07:17:00.007-05:00

On December 16, the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina celebrated seven nonprofit leaders from across South Carolina as they completed the Nonprofit Leadership Development Program through the Foundation's Carolina Academy for Nonprofits.

Gwen Jobes Hampton, South Carolina School Board Association director of leadership development, served as graduation speaker and this is a poem that wrote for the celebration.

Courageous Leaders

Imagine a world with a courageous leader
Who understands when culture and business thrives
It has the power to transform communities
Private public working together to enrich lives
A dream of a Civic Center
Motivated a community to take action
They will oneday open the doors
Under the leadership of Cynthia Jackson

Imagine a world with a courageous leader
Kristi Coggins the coach comes to mind
Building character and instilling values
During a game at tee time
Helping the youth see their worth
So they can be all that they can be
Simply learned during a game of golf
Club and balls at The First Tee

Imagine a world with a courageous leader
Amy Coward is her name
She understands the power of the pen
PR her claim to fame
She strategically leads from the middle
With strength and a spirit of gratitude
Sometimes it takes a push from the middle
In order for the mission to effectively move

Imagine a world with a courageous leader
Survivors with their souls in tears
Living through sexual trauma
Lives shattered by unspoken fears
Worried about their uncertain future
Stories that make you want to holler
Through it all they have a strong leader
They call her Ginny Waller

Imagine a world with a courageous leader
Committed to making families strong
Love our neighbors as ourselves
With those values we won’t go wrong
People empowered by their faith
Embraced by the religious community
Led by a compassionate leader
Her name is Marga McKee

Imagine a world with a courageous leader
With an appreciation for the arts
Sharing beauty so that many may see
With their eyes and with their hearts
Creative talents on display
In one of America’s best small towns
Under Janice Grizzard’s leadership
Various artist can be found

Imagine a world with a courageous leader
Providing families the tools that they need
To break the cycle of poverty
So women and children can succeed
No matter how difficult the obstacles
Or high the stumbling blocks
They can count on the relentless leadership
Of Kristi King-Brock

Imagine the world of courageous leaders
Inspired by visions to improve lives
Focused on vital missions
Serving families and communities with pride
We celebrate their accomplishments
We know today simply would not be
If it wasn’t for the visionary leadership
Of the Sisters of Charity

Guest blog post by South Carolina School Board Association Director of Leadership Development Gwen Jobes Hampton. It was written for the Sisters of Charity Foundation Nonprofit Leadership Development Program Graduation Ceremony held on December 16, 2011.

The Recession Affects Children Too

2011-12-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

“If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children.” –Gandhi

We read about more and more people losing jobs, more and more families losing homes, the cash-strapped transportation system, increased health care costs and more. However, what about the impact of the recession on children? No one ever mentions the children. This large population didn’t do anything to contribute to society’s current issues and, yet, they are often the most punished.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation recently released its 2011 KIDS COUNT Data Book, which tracks the well-being of children at the national, state and local levels using indicators in the areas of education, employment and income, health, poverty and youth risk factors. It is no surprise that South Carolina continues to rank in the bottom. This new data revealed that one out of every four children live in poverty.

The problem that is too often overlooked is the affect of the recession on children. The question is how are we―as a community, as a state―going to address these numbers. More importantly, how are we going to move South Carolina’s children and families out of poverty?

The Annie E. Casey Foundation identified a two-generation strategy for addressing families living in poverty, to simultaneously help parents put their families on a path to economic success and help children’s social, emotional cognitive and physical development from birth. In its report the foundation identifies public policies that may make the difference to the families and the country. When it comes to helping parents succeed, the foundation recognizes: the importance of addressing Unemployment Insurance and promoting foreclosure prevention and remediation efforts; strengthening existing programs that supplement poverty-level wages, offset the high cost of child care and provide health insurance coverage for parents and children; and promote savings, protect assets and help families gain financial knowledge and skills. The foundation’s approach to address policy issues impacting children include: promoting responsible parenthood and ensuring mothers-to-be receive prenatal care; making sure that children are developmentally ready to succeed in school; and promoting reading proficiency by the end of third grade. While this may not be the answer for South Carolina and may not even cover all that is needed, it is a good starting point as we begin to understand our role and what we can do.

Children makeup 23% of South Carolina and 100% of the future. They are our country’s future leaders. Today’s children will make all of this state’s and this country’s future decisions in the global economy. To prepare our children, we need to focus on the economic opportunities of families and improve the education and well-being of children.

It is up to all of us. It is up to businesses, church congregations, community leaders, government, nonprofit organizations, service providers and volunteers to see that they are equipped for this future. Everyone has a role to play. Everyone has a stake in our state’s future. And our future is dependent on our children.

Brooke Bailey is the director of communications and public policy for the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina.

Let Us Begin

2011-11-30T08:00:00.004-05:00

On November 9, 2011, the 2010-2011 Hull Fellows officially graduated from the Southeastern Council of Foundations’ (SECF) yearlong intensive program designed for philanthropy’s rising leaders. As a member of the 2010-2011 Hull Fellow class, I followed in the footsteps of four other former Hull Fellows from the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina and countless other Hull Fellows from across the Southeast. The Hull Fellows program is the only philanthropic leadership development program of its kind open exclusively to SECF members.

As part of the Hull Fellows experience, my understanding of the breadth of the field of philanthropy increased tremendously. We read multiple books and articles, followed by in-depth discussions which helped shape our understanding of the philanthropic sector. The readings provided a specific lens on the unique history, strengths and challenges specific to philanthropy in the South, equipping me with a deeper understanding of the Foundation’s work within a regional and national context. During the weeklong retreat and monthly capstone calls, we had a unique opportunity to dialogue with visionary leaders who inspired us to lead authentically from the seat we are in. Together we discussed a range of issues facing the philanthropic sector (e.g. servant leadership, diversity, mentoring the next generation of philanthropists to attract and ensure diverse representation of perspectives, talent and leadership in the field, nonprofit capacity building, etc.) as well as a wide range of professional development topics (e.g. understanding individual leadership styles, maintaining work/life balance, etc.).

As the next generation of emerging leaders in the field of philanthropy, I am confident this cohort will continue forward to make a difference in each of our corners of the world through philanthropy. As a graduate of this leadership program, I walked away with additional leadership tools and strategies that I was able to apply directly to my work at the Foundation. I was also able to build collaborative relationships with my 19 fellow peers in a safe place where creative ideas could be exchanged. My Hull mentor, Maria Elena Retter, executive director of the Goizueta Foundation, shared her vast expertise and wisdom, and became a trusted sounding board for me on the intersection of research, evaluation and strategy within the context of the field. I know I will draw from my Hull mentor, Hull Fellows and the many others I connected with as a resource in the years that lie ahead.

I left the 42nd Annual Meeting of SECF as a Hull alumnus, inspired and encouraged, and deeply aware of the great privilege it is for me to serve in this sector. The field of philanthropy tackles some of the most difficult issues in our communities, such as reducing poverty, addressing social injustice and ensuring that the disenfranchised have a voice and a seat at the table. The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina seeks to be equal partners with communities we care deeply about. We recognize our vision, families in South Carolina have the resources to live out of poverty, may take years to flourish in order to achieve measurable impact. Regardless of the challenges and setbacks we will undoubtedly face to achieve our mission, we continue pressing forward, applying the principle Mother Teresa once shared, “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not come. We have only today. Let us begin.”

Stephanie Cooper-Lewter is the senior director of research at the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T10:00:00.003-05:00

Prayer of Thanksgiving
O God, we thank you for this earth, our home;
For the wide sky and the blessed sun,
For the salt sea and the running water,
For the everlasting hills
And the never-resting winds,
For trees and the common grass underfoot.
We thank you for our senses
By which we hear the songs of birds,
And see the splendor of the summer fields,
And taste of the autumn fruits,
And rejoice in the feel of the snow,
And smell the breath of the spring.
Grant us a heart wide open to all this beauty;
And save our souls from being so blind
That we pass unseeing
When even the common thornbush
Is aflame with your glory,
O God our creator,
Who lives and reigns forever and ever.
- Walter Rauschenbusch

Happy Thanksgiving
from the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

“How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.”
Psalm 31:19

15 Years, $42 Million; Foundation Celebrates 15 Years in Philanthropy

2011-11-15T11:18:00.001-05:00

In celebration of National Philanthropy Day, today, this post is taken from the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina's release announcing the Foundation's 15-year anniversary.

The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System, celebrates 15 years in philanthropy this fall. The Foundation, formed out of the sale of fifty percent of Providence Hospitals in 1996, is the only statewide grantmaker having awarded grants to nonprofit and faith-based organizations in all 46 South Carolina counties.

“The work of this Foundation has been inspiring, rewarding and challenging,” said Tom Keith, president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina. “We have learned a lot about ourselves and the communities we serve. While we have adapted to change over the past 15 years, we have always remained steady to our mission to reduce poverty in the state.”

Since its beginning, the Sisters of Charity Foundation has awarded more than 1,400 grants and over $42 million to faith-based and nonprofit organizations throughout the state. “It is one thing to understand the disparity of the poor, but it is quite another to invest tremendous energy and resources to affect change in their lives,” said Yvonne Orr, a Charleston native and board chair. “We have supported organizations at all levels and have witnessed many triumphs and change.”

The Foundation’s Fatherhood Initiative is an example of recognizing a need and continuing to support it. Since 1998, the Foundation has invested more than $19 million in the Fatherhood Initiative, a statewide initiative working to strengthen relationships between low-income fathers and their families in South Carolina. The Fatherhood Initiative has received national recognition for its innovative approach and is viewed as a best practice. In 2002, the Foundation established the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families, a nonprofit organization which develops and supports a statewide infrastructure that strengthens relationships between fathers and families throughout South Carolina. The Center currently oversees six fatherhood programs through 11 sites across the state.

The Sisters of Charity Foundation has impacted nonprofits and South Carolina beyond grantmaking. Through its Carolina Academy for Nonprofits, created in 2008, the Foundation has provided training and technical assistance to hundreds of nonprofit staff and volunteers at no cost. A partnership was even formed with Columbia College to give nonprofit leaders an opportunity for formal, graduate-level education and the potential to earn certificate in Nonprofit Leadership Training from Columbia College’s Organizational Change Management graduate program. This certificate program is now in its third year, and nonprofits―and the communities they serve―reap the benefits.

“We look for ways to build the capacity of organizations in which we invest. Many of the groups have an inspiring mission but lack the necessary skills to implement programs effectively,” said Orr. “Our job is to help bring them to a level where they can make their program successful, and ultimately impact their community and the people they serve.”

Additionally, the Foundation has spearheaded the start of several new organizations to meet targeted needs and foster collaboration. The Foundation was instrumental in the creation of the South Carolina Grantmakers Network, formed in 1997. The South Carolina Grantmakers Network is a group of more than 40 philanthropic grantmaking organizations across the state who come together to discuss current issues and common concerns. The Foundation aided in forming the South Carolina Center for Grassroots and Non-Profit Leadership at Clemson University, the South Carolina Afterschool Alliance and the Fatherhood Policy Project Office.

The Foundation finds itself in the position as one of the largest South Carolina-based foundations with assets of $82 million. “It is not about our size. It is about our role as a funder, a convener, an advocate and change maker. It is about seeing the state as a whole, and finding ways to reduce poverty and be a voice for the underserved,” said Keith. “We have never attempted to do this on our own; any success the Foundation has witnessed has been the result of working with others at multiple levels.”

About the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina
The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina, established in 1996, is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System. The Foundation is committed to addressing the needs of the poor and underserved in all 46 South Carolina counties, and strategically uses resources to reduce poverty through action, advocacy and leadership.

Courageous Leadership

2011-10-26T14:28:00.000-04:00

"The wisest mind has something yet to learn"
-George Santayana

In the fall of 2010, in partnership with Columbia College, the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina’s Carolina Academy for Nonprofits expanded as a result of implementing a nine-credit graduate level certificate program. The Nonprofit Leadership Training Certificate program was designed for nonprofit leaders who were recognized as having great potential and who were ready to take their nonprofit leadership to the next level. Through the collaborative partnership with Columbia College, we have seen first-hand the transformative power of bringing nonprofit leaders together to enhance their knowledge, skills and framework to lead nonprofit organizations in an ever-changing society.

However, as we reflect upon the overwhelming success of the program to date, a dynamic truth emerged as it relates to leadership. When I considered the core values of both entities, this Foundation (collaboration, compassion, justice, respect and courage) and Columbia College (commitment, confidence, competence and courage), I quickly recognized that there was one core value in which we both shared and was interwoven throughout our work – COURAGE.

Each year since the inception of the Nonprofit Leadership Training Certificate program, I have watched as nonprofit leaders entered our doors not knowing what to expect, but with a determination to go through the process and to graduate stronger and more empowered to lead. Whether from a very large organization or from an organization that was just getting off the ground, these leaders met the challenge offered to them. While they brought with them various missions, characteristics and principles that helped them succeed, the Academy faculty, the curriculum, the class sessions, the assignments, the discussions, the activities – were all grounded in ways in which the student/leader could glean the skills to lead with courage.

So you may be asking, “What makes a courageous leader?” To begin, it may be helpful to share with you what Ron Edmonson, leadership strategist calls the 7 characteristics of Cowardly Leadership:

Says “I’ll think about it” rather than “No”…even though no is already the decided answer
Avoids conflict…even when it is necessary for the good of relationships and the organization
Never willing to make the hard decisions
Pretends everything is okay…even when it’s not
Bails on the team when things become difficult
Refuses to back up team members
Caves in to criticism…even if it is unfounded

On the other hand, Ron Edmonson offers 7 Traits that Separate a Leader of Courage:

Takes risks others are unwilling to attempt
Invest in people others are willing to dismiss
Empowers people while others wait for them to completely prove themselves
Faces conflicts others avoid
Challenges the status quo with which others have grown contented
Embraces change others ignore
Remains steadfast when others are departing

So here we are, 15 graduates later and with 9 students currently enrolled in the program, continuing our commitment to inspire nonprofit leaders to lead courageously. After all, Samuel Johnson said it best, “Courage is the greatest of all virtues, because if you haven't courage, you may not have an opportunity to use any of the others.”

Katrina Spigner is senior program officer for the Sisters of Charity Foundation

Choices for the Poor Are Often Difficult

2011-10-12T07:45:00.002-04:00

We all face scarcity. It is the fundamental economic problem of having unlimited wants or needs and limited resources. However, the choices a person or family struggling financially faces are quite different than the average income person or family. And with the current economy and high unemployment rate many more families are now faced with these difficult decisions.

Some people have the luxury of going to a grocery store and purchasing items because they like them. If they want to save some money, they may opt to purchase a generic brand of the item, but they still make the purchase. A person who lives in poverty faces very different “trade-offs” and often the choices are not easy ones to make. For example, a low-income individual may have to choose between filling a much needed prescription or paying the electric bill. It may be the choice of getting a meal or going hungry. Maybe they have a part-time job and need to pay for child care to work. The wage earned to work may not be much more than the cost for a child care provider.

Therefore, low-income families must decide what is most important at that very moment. It is not what they like or desire, but what their current greatest critical need is. If they don’t pay the electric bill then they won’t have heat and lights. If they are fortunate to have a job, how much will child care cost? What about transportation costs and if the only option is public transportation, is it available? If you add into the equation a sick child or other unpredictable expenses then the choices become even more precarious.

Many times we read about poor people being irresponsible. But I believe that, in many cases, it is not about responsibility but about priorities, and the priorities are driven by financial challenges which require complex decision-making. Choosing between your job, your health, your child’s health, food, medicine or electricity are pretty hard decisions. I recently met a lady that lost her job and home because two of her children became severely ill at the same time and she had no support system or safety net. She is currently living in a homeless facility in the upstate and trying to get back on her feet. Her circumstances left her with few choices and life as she knew it quickly cascaded out of control. There are thousands of people in the same boat.

As we think about the challenges we have in our own lives, it is important to put those challenges into perspective. Even though we often show empathy to those less fortunate, I am not sure we truly understand their plight. I will never forget the words of the lady in the upstate, “I live by faith and I want to be the best mother I can be, and work hard every day so I can provide for my children and live without depending on others for help.”

Difficult decisions and monumental consequences are a way of life for those living in poverty, day in and day out. Their hopes and aspirations may be no different than ours but their path to getting there is very different. Being mindful of the choices others have to make is part of the learning landscape. If we understand what it might be like to walk in someone else’s shoes, then I think we will be more apt to respect their circumstances a bit more.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Today’s New Reality

2011-08-31T15:33:00.000-04:00

As a nonprofit organization, you have been successful for many years. You have raised millions of dollars from an array of sources. You are well respected in the community and are doing wonderful things to help many people in need. Then, in 2008, the recession hits and the game changes. Grant funds from government and private funders begin to dwindle. Individual donors become reluctant to give because their own investment portfolios have suffered and dropped significantly. Your income drops by 50% in a one-year period. The demand for your services increases by 150% due to the recession. This is your new reality.

You are not alone; nonprofits throughout the country are faced with this new reality. It is the start of a tornado of events. First, there is panic. You start calling funders and begging for an exception to the grants process and try to convince them of the urgency of your situation. They are sympathetic but cannot change their processes just for you. You frantically search for other funding sources at the federal and state level. There are a few options but the timing is not good and the competition fierce. It is a long shot for you. You call current and past donors to convince them of your urgent situation but their resources are limited and they are not much help, if help at all. You meet with big businesses and corporations to try and get support but they too are strapped. This is your new reality.

The fact of the matter is today’s new reality means less money for all. It also means you must operate your nonprofit with maximum efficiency by cutting costs, reducing services, using more volunteers and, if necessary, downsizing your operation. This is not good news but it is the truth. There are no quick fixes or easy solutions for today’s nonprofit leaders. One thing is clear though, business as usual is a recipe for failure. You must be creative, strategic and malleable if you want to survive today. This goes for small and large nonprofits. Better times may lie ahead but you have to get to those better times to be able to benefit from them.

Today’s new reality is not the end of the world. It is seeing the world in another way and figuring out how to utilize your skills and the tools available to you to find better ways to be successful. Anything is possible if you can find your niche and focus your efforts differently. Be willing to try new things and create new relationships. Nonprofit leaders are resilient and they are warriors. Go fight the tough battles of today’s new reality and come back a winner. After all, that is why we are in this business in the first place; to fight for the benefit of others in need, even if we have to reinvent ourselves to get there.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

2011 KIDS COUNT Data Book Reveals Impact of the Recession on South Carolina's Children

2011-08-17T12:37:00.002-04:00

Today, Annie E. Casey Foundation released the 2011 KIDS COUNT Data Book which tracks the well-being of children at the national, state and local levels using indicators in the areas of education, employment and income, health, poverty and youth risk factors.

South Carolina continues to rank 45th in the nation for child well-being based on the KIDS COUNT 10 key indicators. Most upsetting is that approximately 260,000 children, one of every four, live in poverty. What’s more, half of all South Carolina's children (approximately 520,000) live in low-income families at twice the poverty line. (According to the 2011 Federal Poverty Guidelines, the 2011 poverty level for a family of four is $22,350 which breaks down to $1,863 a month. The income for a family of four at 200 percent of the poverty level is $44,700 or $3,725 a month.)

As a result of the Great Recession, the annual KIDS COUNT data also examined two additional indicators: unemployment and foreclosure. Some key highlights include the following:

140,000 children in South Carolina are in families with one or both parents unemployed.
11 percent of children (113,000) in South Carolina had at least one unemployed parent during 2010.
South Carolina had the 2nd highest percentage in the nation (6.6%) of children with all resident parents unemployed and the 3rd highest percentage in the nation (13.6%) with at least one resident parent unemployed in 2009.
The foreclosure numbers are also troubling, as 3 percent (53,000) of children were affected by foreclosure during 2007 through 2009, ranking South Carolina tied for 14th in the U.S.

South Carolina's worst rankings are for low birth weight (47th), infant and child deaths (47th), single parent families (47th), and child poverty (41st). Since the release of the KIDS COUNT data books beginning 20 years ago, South Carolina has consistently ranked 45th.

"The results are startling,” according to Baron Holmes, project director for KIDS COUNT South Carolina. “Increased child poverty resulting from the Great Recession highlights long-existing curses of low education, low employment and persistent poverty. Until education and employment are improved dramatically in South Carolina, the wellbeing of children in South Carolina will remain in the bottom 6 or 8 states, as it has been over the past two decades."

A coalition of organizations supporting children and families across South Carolina, including the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina, are reviewing the economic data and mitigation efforts in order to identify opportunities for improvement.

SC Kids Count is sponsored by the Office of Research and Statistics of the S.C. Budget and Control Board. For release of the 2011 Kids Count Data Book, SC Kids Count is collaborating with the Children’s Trust of South Carolina and the USC Children’s Law Center.

Sticking to the Fundamentals While Becoming More Than Just a Grantmaker

2011-07-21T11:15:00.000-04:00

This is a follow up from the Foundation’s January 19 post, The Beginning.

Celebrating 15 Years in Philanthropy
1996-2011

As the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina progressed from its early phase, the Foundation began to develop its own identity. We certainly used our early grantmaking decisions as an incubator for future decision making and direction. We learned from the grants we made and tweaked our process many different times. Our fundamental focus of working to alleviate poverty in South Carolina has never changed but how we approach it has.

We have gone from 100% of our dollars going to grantmaking to a combination of grantmaking, public policy work, communications, capacitybuilding and research and evaluation efforts. It is the Foundation’s belief that the more comprehensive and diversified the work becomes, the greater impact we can have on poverty. Grant dollars are important but they are not and should not be the only plan of action. There are just not enough grant dollars to go around. With this knowledge, the Foundation has invested in a host of programs, initiatives and partnerships that have created a philanthropic platform that transcends our dollars and allows us to create change in multiple ways.

Below are five key factors that were taken from the Foundation’s early grantmaking to the current, more-established organization:

Have an engaged and dedicated board that embraces the mission and helps you strategically evolve as an organization. The Foundation’s board (even as the faces change) has always been completely immersed in the Foundation’s work and committed to the goals and principles.
Have a capable staff that can see the big picture and use their skills and ability to affect the overall mission. The Foundation’s staff is built on integrity, ability, mission effectiveness and teamwork.
Be willing to change direction as needed. A plan that is not working is not good for anyone. So, at times, the Foundation has changed course and improved its work.
Plan your work and implement it with the end in mind. Know where you want to go. The Foundation board and staff have truly grasped the idea of collective thinking and determining what kind of organization the Foundation becomes given multiple variables, including declining assets and a huge demand for Foundation resources.
Have an open door policy. Be willing to talk to people about their ideas and plans. Be willing to meet everyone as if they are a potential partner or friend. Sometimes it is not a good fit but many times it is. If the Foundation had been “hands off” with its approach to philanthropy, there would have been many missed opportunities.

This Sisters of Charity Foundation strives to change lives and communities each and every day. We do it with conviction and we do it with compassion and respect for others. We make mistakes like everyone else but I like to believe that we learn from our mistakes and grow from our experiences. That is what makes a good grantmaking organization.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

2011-06-19T08:18:00.028-04:00

Father’s Day is a time to reflect on the experiences that many of us have with our fathers and, as fathers, with our own children. However, many children will spend this Father’s day without a dad present in their lives. One of the important initiatives of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina has been to re-engage dads with their children. Often times, circumstances create a complicated dynamic between fathers and their children, particularly in South Carolina’s poor communities. Sine 1998, the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina has invested more than $17 million to help reconnect fathers with their children. The Foundation has also assisted fathers in becoming contributing members of society. This is accomplished through multiple fatherhood programs around the state. Program services include support for job training, relationship building, education (acquiring a GED), payment of child support, health access and an array of other areas of support to meet fathers where they most need it.

The statistics are impressive. The South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families, an outgrowth of the Foundation's Fatherhood Initiative, reports that more than 1,500 men were served through their programs last year. From that group, 452 gained employment and paid more than $964,000 in child support. Some were even able to pay arrears for past due child support, and more than $179,000 in arrears was collected. Had fatherhood programs not been an option for these men, there is a strong probability that they would have landed in jail which would have cost state taxpayers a significant expense. The South Carolina Supreme Court Justice and many Family Court Judges have embraced the “alternatives to incarceration” concept and Family Court Judges are ordering men to enroll in fatherhood programs. Many of these men attend parenting education classes and most increase the time spent with their child. Several received health screenings and gained access to health care for health issues that previously were untreated, such as hypertension and diabetes.

So as we celebrate Father’s Day in 2011, we have a lot to be grateful for. We are grateful for our own fathers and also for our children. South Carolinians should also be grateful for the programs and services that are being provided for those fathers who have very few options and are struggling to meet their parental and financial obligations. Let’s hope that this Father’s Day is a special one for all of South Carolina’s fathers and their children. They all deserve it.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Foundation To Unveil Leadership In Diversity Award

2011-06-08T18:28:00.001-04:00

The Sisters of Charity Foundation will introduce a new award this month. The award, Leadership in Diversity, allows the Foundation to recognize an individual or organization who has championed diversity through action and leadership. The Foundation’s ongoing commitment to diversity is important. It is a fundamental part of our culture and it is essential for us to, not only demonstrate the value we place on diversity, but also to publicly share these values with others.

The award will be a model example of a person or organization’s accomplishments made through community engagement, awareness, bridge building, compassionate leadership and courageous advocacy. The awards’ first recipient will be announced on June 13 during the Foundation’s Celebration and Awards Luncheon.

The Foundation is excited about this award and what it represents. It is a real chance for the Foundation to recognize others that have worked across racial, religious and cultural lines and brought about positive change throughout our community and state. Leadership in Diversity Award recipients demonstrate a commitment to cultural awareness and are steering the successful integration of diversity, equity and fairness principles into practices.

As the Foundation works to lift families out of poverty, it is the Foundation’s goal to lead, and to find leaders that embrace and can further the Foundation’s mission. Leadership can take on many shapes. It is important that leaders in our community have a passion for and a commitment to the underserved population as we work in diverse communities. The Leadership in Diversity award is a monumental next step for the Foundation, and we look forward to introducing it and recognizing its first recipient on Monday.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Sisters Make Impact in South Carolina; Leave Legacy

2011-05-23T09:09:00.001-04:00

In 1937 a group of Catholic nuns mortgaged their Motherhouse in Ohio and traveled to Columbia, South Carolina―an unfamiliar place―to establish a Catholic hospital. What started as a request from then Diocese of Charleston Bishop Emmet Walsh to the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, has developed into a thoughtful array of ministries responding to community needs in Columbia and throughout the state.

In 1996 the Sisters used funds obtained through the sale of half of the hospital to create the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina. (The Sisters have since bought back this half and wholly own the hospital.) The Sisters could have done a number of things with this money, but recognizing the need, they started the Foundation to address community challenges at the core of poverty.

This year, the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina celebrates 15 years in philanthropy. As a statewide funder, with initial assets of $85 million, the Foundation has provided financial support in all 46 counties of South Carolina. Since inception, the Foundation has awarded over 1,400 grants, totaling more than $42 million, to nonprofit, faith-based, academic and governmental organizations. Some of these funds have been leveraged to account for $21 million in additional resources. In the midlands alone, the Foundation has funded more than $23 million to organizations providing services in this area.

The Sisters of Charity Foundation has impacted nonprofits beyond grantmaking. Through its Carolina Academy for Nonprofits, created in 2008, the Foundation has provided training and technical assistance to hundreds of nonprofit staff and volunteers at no cost.

Furthermore, the Foundation has spearheaded the start of several new organizations to meet targeted needs and foster collaboration. The Foundation was instrumental in the creation of the South Carolina Grantmakers Network, formed in 1997. The South Carolina Grantmakers Network is a group of more than 40 philanthropic grantmaking organizations across the state who come together to discuss current issues and common concerns. The Foundation aided in forming the South Carolina Center for Grassroots and Non-Profit Leadership at Clemson University, the South Carolina Afterschool Alliance and the Fatherhood Policy Project Office. The South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families was created in 2002 as an outgrowth of the Foundation’s Fatherhood Initiative, a statewide initiative working to strengthen relationships between low-income fathers and their families in South Carolina. All of these examples impact our state and its citizens in different ways.

With the vision that families in South Carolina have the resources to live out of poverty, the Foundation serves as an advocate for the poor. Through community listening sessions, representing the interests of the underserved to elected officials and serving as convener, the Foundation is a voice for the poor in our communities.

The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina is celebrating 15 years in philanthropy. Fifteen years of strategically using resources to reduce poverty. Fifteen years of practicing collaboration, compassion, courage, justice and respect to fulfill its mission. None of this would be possible without the vision of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine; a group of women―through faith―who risked their home to begin a new journey here in South Carolina. Their legacy will continue through their ministries and with the lives they have touched.

Similar article published in The State Newspaper.

Government Should Support Philanthropy, But Can’t Rely on Foundations to Make Up for Budget Cuts

2011-05-04T12:00:00.001-04:00

The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina recently joined other grantmakers in the state and across the nation to participate in Foundations on the Hill. The purpose of Foundations on the Hill is to inform and educate Congress about philanthropy, create visibility for foundations and philanthropy on Capitol Hill, advocate on issues affecting foundations and encourage Congress to view foundations as resources on key public policy issues.

Given the current economic climate, coupled with four new members in the House, it was very important for the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina to remind and educate Congress on the importance of the philanthropic sector and start building relationships with our new Congressional delegation.

In a series of briefing sessions―hosted by the Council of Foundations―preceding the Hill visits, the group was able to hear from a variety of Members of Congress and their staffers. The majority of Hill staffers present vocalized their thoughts that foundations can make up for government shortfalls, especially as the budgets are cut. This is a huge misconception. Government can’t expect foundations to fill funding cuts.

Mother Teresa once said, “What we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But if that drop was not in the ocean, I think the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” This is also true of foundation resources; compared to government dollars, foundation funding is just a drop―albeit vital― in the ocean.

However, philanthropy is still a resource for government. Philanthropy is independent, innovative and an investment in communities. It uses private resources to do public good, and its independence allows the philanthropic sector to takes risks, achieve greater results and affect change. Through leveraging resources, flexibility and ingenuity, philanthropy drives innovation and is a breeding ground for great ideas. Lastly, philanthropy invests in long term solutions for our country’s most challenging problems.

Foundations tend to be more familiar with the issues in the communities they serve. While they may not be the ones on the ground doing work, they support these nonprofits and have built great relationships. Foundations can also identify, test and replicate best practices in communities.

More and more people are turning to philanthropy to address the challenges facing our communities. Thus, government must do all it can to encourage and support philanthropy and foster the charitable character of Americans.

Brooke Bailey is the director of communications and public policy for the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Our Voices, Our Stories: A Look Back on 2010 Listening Sessions

2011-03-30T11:26:00.004-04:00

As part of the Foundation’s commitment to listen directly to those experiencing poverty in South Carolina, the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina conducted four community Listening Sessions in Allendale, Johns Island, Greenwood and Bennettsville in 2010. Each location was strategically selected because of the different levels of poverty. For example, one community had a 16 percent poverty rate, while another one had 32 percent.

The response to the Foundation’s Listening Sessions was overwhelming with over 270 individuals participating, representing nearly 100 organizations across the four locations. Specific attention was given to obtaining diverse representation and perspectives. More than half of the participants voluntarily provided demographic information. The demographics of those that responded included:

57% female, 40% male;
34% African American, 27% Latino/Hispanic; 23% Caucasian/White, 5% were Native American;
36% were unemployed while 15% were working part-time;
24% had attended middle school or some high school as their highest level education, 17% had either a GED or high school diploma;
19% had an income range of $25,000 or below while 15% had an income range of $25,000 to $49,000.

During each Listening Session, a Foundation board of trustee’s member or staff member facilitated small focused table discussions among attendees to elicit their perspectives on their experience of poverty and its impact on their community. Throughout the Listening Sessions, families experiencing poverty shared―in a heartfelt way―their struggles, joys and pain.

They were remarkably open with us as they invited us humbly into their lives. We witnessed first-hand tremendous strength and resilience among those we talked with, felt their deep sense of heritage and heard the importance of informal support systems (friendships and family ties). Perhaps what resonated most was the importance and fundamental role faith and spirituality plays in their lives.

One Johns Island Hispanic resident shared, “we believe in God and have faith, that’s all we have.”

Those with a strong spiritual foundation and faith used this faith as an inspiration as they work to overcome so many barriers in order to move out of poverty.

“We’re just trying to make it from day to day," shared one Greenwood resident.

We wrapped up our Listening Sessions by asking participants to share their potential ideas, solutions and resources needed in their community in order to reduce poverty.

As one resident in Allendale shared, “people need to be given a chance to do something with their lives.”

“I need to see the hope to believe there is hope. Instead of telling me, show me the hope,” said one Bennettsville youth.

Across the locations, twelve recommendations for action fell in four primary areas: social services, education, health and strengthening the community. Families experiencing poverty want to know that people care and are invested in their success.

Read the full summary and recommendations made during the 2010 Listening Sessions

Stephanie Cooper-Lewter is the senior director of research for the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina.

The True Reality of Grantmaking Today

2011-03-18T09:19:00.001-04:00

Today’s demand for philanthropic dollars is chaotic. The need for resources is overwhelming and it is affecting both large and small nonprofits. Many non-profits believe that foundations such as the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina are going to be the “quick fix” to their current financial challenges. Unfortunately, it does not work that way.

Most foundations move very deliberately and purposefully. They don’t make quick decisions nor do they “knee jerk” to crisis needs. The one common denominator is that foundations do have dollars to spend and nonprofits need dollars to spend. Other than that, every foundation has a different set of giving principles, goals and desired outcomes. Often times, an organization will apply for and expect funding from a foundation simply because the organization has a similar mission to the foundation’s mission. But more and more, foundations are looking “inward” at what they want to accomplish, than looking “outward” at what others want or need to accomplish.

In other words, foundations are becoming more intentional about their grant giving. Foundations have their own set of indicators that determine whether or not they are successful or meeting their own mission. Sometimes it aligns with a nonprofit and sometimes it doesn’t. For example, the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina has limited resources which force us to make extremely difficult decisions about how and where the Foundation does its social investing. It is just the way it is. Equipping families with the resources to live out of poverty is ambitious and a very difficult hill for us to climb. It is our goal to have the greatest impact on reducing poverty, mostly through addressing causes rather than consequences. That is not to say that we don’t invest in consequences but it is not our priority. We are going to dig deeper and invest more strategically to influence change that defines who we are and the goals and outcomes we, as a funder, must achieve.

This may require fewer grants to fewer organizations but the organizations that are funded will clearly align with our mission, focus, desired outcomes and key indicators. We will be looking for more defined partners to help us meet our goals. It is the only way we can be truly effective and measure the changes we are able to affect in poor communities and neighborhoods. Some funds will continue to be directed towards meeting basic needs. A lot of individuals and families are struggling and we cannot, in good conscience, ignore that. However, true change in the lives of those living in generational poverty will require more of our attention and resources as we move “further upstream” to find the answers and create greater impact.

Our hope is that future consequences of poverty will be less severe because needed prevention, intervention, learning, skill building and life style changes have occurred on the front end. There is no doubt that many nonprofit organizations are trying to do good work in communities across South Carolina. Unfortunately, we can only choose a few and align with them to further our goals and mission of lifting families out of poverty.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Funding Shortfalls Continue to Challenge Us All

2011-02-16T16:34:00.000-05:00

Funding shortfalls from government and the private sector continue to negatively impact South Carolina’s nonprofits. Organizations that previously seemed impervious to the economic downturn are now suffering tremendously. Nonprofits are cutting staff and programs and simply doing whatever is necessary to keep the doors open. The sad news is there is no immediate resolution on the horizon.

The reality is that organizations must operate using a scaled-down model. In some cases, nonprofits have reduced their staff by 50%, yet the demand for the services they provide has increased. Foundations must also be willing to change with the times. For example, the Sisters of Charity Foundation is funding operational expenses for nonprofits. This is something we did not consider for many years. To allow more organizations to apply for our Caritas Grants program, which are grants that meet basic needs, we have raised the operating budget limit for potential applicants. In an effort to be grantee-friendly, the Foundation is lifting a process that has been in place. If an organization is funded in one year, they can now apply for a grant the following year. Previously, a full year had to expire before this was possible, and often grantseekers were forced to wait nearly a year and a half to reapply for funding. Additionally, the Foundation is looking at providing restructuring and reorganization grants to allow nonprofits to look at new models, mergers and even dissolution.

The fact is that our Foundation funds are tight. This is the smallest budget we have ever had in our 15-year history. We cannot let this stop us from reaching as many nonprofits as possible. We will have three grant cycles in 2011 and, along with our initiative funding, we will award more than $2.4 million across South Carolina. In addition to grantmaking, the Foundation will provide multiple learning opportunities and training sessions for nonprofits to attend free of charge. A current list is updated regularly on our Web site. These free sessions are geared towards helping organizations find ways to be more successful and to operate more efficiently. The programs will be available in Columbia, S.C., at the Foundation office as well as other locations in the state. So even though times are extremely challenging, there are still many opportunities.

Success may be measured differently this year. Our success will be measured by how many organizations we can assist and therefore, how many individuals and families living in poverty we can help. It is my hope that every organization operating will find a way to garner the resources they need to operate necessary programs this year. Otherwise, needy individuals and families will continue to suffer and bear a large part of the brunt of these tough economic times.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

2011 Tips for Nonprofits

2011-02-01T11:01:00.001-05:00

As we embark on a new year with new goals, I want to offer a few “low cost” tips to our grantees and other nonprofit practitioners that can pay dividends for you. They are:

• Strengthen Your Boards- The staff can only do so much. If you find and recruit new board members that can be passionate about your organization and help you raise money, then you will be in a much better place by the end of the year. New board members can open doors and help you access and raise new dollars.

• Embrace Social Media- Today’s world requires immediate and up to date information. A stale Web site and a printed newsletter distributed a few times a year is not enough. You are missing opportunities to market yourself and let the larger community know what is happening with your organization. If you haven’t already done so, then start a Facebook page, connect your organization on LinkedIn, tweet on Twitter, create an electronic newsletter and begin to write a blog. All of these tools are essentially free. It is just a matter of taking the time to learn and implement. There are plenty of people that are knowledgeable about social media that would be willing to assist you.

• Get in front of the Public- Clubs, organizations and business groups often meet every week. They are always looking for speakers. Make an effort to develop a presentation that you, your staff and your volunteers can use. Then make the contacts with Rotary, Kiwanis, Lion’s, Civitan, Chambers of Commerce, VFW’s, American Legion and many other clubs and ask them to get on the calendar for a presentation about your organizations. Many professional associations allot part of their meetings for presentations from nonprofits. Only good things can happen from these efforts. People will learn more about your organization and they may be willing to volunteer and even donate, once they are informed.

• Be Efficient- Spend wisely. Seek “in-kind” services. Some company may not give you money but they might print a brochure for free. In my former fund raising life, I asked a bank for a financial donation. They said no but they offered me five billboards for a three-month period all over town. They put me in touch with their ad agency and the agency donated the cost to prepare the billboard. Because the bank was such a good customer, the billboard company put the five signs up for free. We had free advertising for three months at no cost to our organization.

• Network- We can all learn something from each other. When you attend a workshop or conference, make sure you walk away from the event with at least one new contact and, hopefully, at least one new idea. If someone is doing something that is working, there is no reason it can’t work for you. It is worth a try.

• Be Willing to Change- Often times, we get use to doing things a certain way. We get stuck in our own organizational mindset. Be willing to welcome change. Look for new ways to grow and improve your organization and yourself. If the old model is not working, then change course. If your ideas are no longer enough, then find new ideas by learning from other people. It can only help your organization move forward progressively and positively and that is what you want.

There are no easy solutions to complex problems in today’s nonprofit world. Many times cost prohibits us from accomplishing certain goals. However, there are other ways to grow and succeed that do not cost anything other than your time and energy. I encourage you to consider these “tips” as you move forward in 2011. Remember the old adage “Nothing ventured; nothing gained.” Now is your opportunity to try a few new things that will, hopefully, bring positive results and at little or no expense.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

The Beginning

2011-01-19T10:37:00.002-05:00

Celebrating 15 Years in Philanthropy
1996-2011

My, how time flies. It was the spring of 1996. Providence Hospital had entered into a joint venture with a Nashville, Tennessee, hospital system and the assets from that transaction were forming a new entity. The organization, a grantmaking foundation, was named the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina. As I reflect back on the beginning, I can think of one word to best describe the situation: overwhelming. Overnight, the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina became the second largest grantmaking foundation in South Carolina with assets of $85 million. Our mission was to address the root causes of poverty, but we knew very little beyond the mission. There was much to learn and much to be done. A staff and board, grantmaking processes and procedures, a grantmaking plan, a budget along with an investment policy and a wide array of other things to be accomplished in a short period of time.

Our first board chair in 1996 was Carroll Heyward. He said, “Let’s roll up our sleeves and get started.” And we did. The Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine grounded us in mission first. Everything should be tied to the mission. We began to learn from other grantmakers across the state and the country. We met with the Kansas Health Foundation CEO Marnie Vliet and staff, and we met with Karen Wolk Feinstein from the Jewish Healthcare Foundation in Pittsburgh. We consulted with experts in the field like Drew Altman, Dennis Beatrice, the late Joe Brietenicher, Grantmakers in Health CEO Catherine McDermott and countless others.

On the state level we assembled a team of individuals with a passion for helping those living in poverty. I remember the team committed many hours towards helping us frame a strategic direction. Some of the members included: Marilyn Edelhoch; Bud Ferillo; Larry Fernandez; Catherine Fleming Bruce; Barron Holmes, Ph.D.; Leon Love; Barbara Morrison Rodriguez, Ph.D.; Jim Solomon; Kathy Wilson, Ph.D.; and a few more. Out of these meetings came a vision for impactful and strategic and proactive grants. We still use the seven dimensions of poverty that came from this statewide consortium of experts more than 15 years ago. The seven are: 1. Health, 2. Education, 3. Life Skills, 4. Economics, 5. Culture, Values and Attitudes, 6. Family Structure and 7. Community Structure.

A lot has happened in 15 years and much of this happened because of the people mentioned above and the many others that are not mentioned who also played a valuable role. I want to recognize the Sisters of Charity of Health System for their support at the beginning and, in particular, Sister Mary Ann Andrews and Sue Krey, along with Sister Judith Ann Karam, for providing many learning opportunities and significant support to the Foundation. I would be remiss if I did not mention our dedicated staff in 1996 which included Sister Mary Jacob, Pat Littlejohn and Georgia Roberts. So, in 2011 we will celebrate the 15-year anniversary of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina. It is now a large book with many chapters. And like any good book, it starts with a good first chapter.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

2010: A Snapshot

2010-12-29T12:09:00.000-05:00

As we close out another year, it is a good time to reflect on the work and accomplishments over the past twelve months. In spite of a weak economy and financial challenges, 2010 has been an outstanding year for the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina.

The Foundation served thousands of South Carolinians and more than 60 organizations through over $2 million in grants.

More than 200 representatives from nonprofit organizations took advantage of the Foundation’s Carolina Academy for Nonprofits. The Foundation launched distance learning opportunities with five sites participating in South Carolina and Ohio allowing more than 75 people to participate from outlying locations. We completed our first Nonprofit Leadership Training Certificate Program, a partnership with Columbia College, and held a graduation ceremony in August.

In September, Bishop Guglielmone traveled to Columbia and met with individuals and representatives from organizations served by the Foundation.

The Foundation held four listening sessions around the state and learned a great deal from those living in poverty.

The Collaboration for Ministry Initiative (CMI) held its sixth annual statewide conference, and more the 70 women religious attended. Through CMI, several Sisters in South Carolina were able to travel to Cleveland, O.H., to see the national exhibit Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America.

The South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families, an outgrowth of the Foundation’s Fatherhood Initiative, ran its first fund raising campaign, The Ugly Tie Campaign, in conjunction with Father’s Day. The Center also had an article on its Alternative to Incarceration program published in the Child and Family Social Work Journal.

The Foundation served on the on the AmericaSpeaks Engagement Committee to recruit participants and promote the AmericaSpeaks 21st Century Town Meetings® on the budget and economy in Columbia, S.C., one of the six primary cities selected for the event. In the spring of 2010, the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina engaged all South Carolina gubernatorial candidates by asking them five questions around poverty and economic opportunity in the state. Additionally, the Foundation continued to raise awareness on the impact of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding in South Carolina and advocate for TANF reauthorization.

A new branding campaign was implemented, and the Foundation launched a new Web site.

It has been an influential year as the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina implemented the first stages of its strategic plan. While these are just few highlights of 2010, the Foundation is already planning how we can maximize impact in 2011, and how we can strategically uses resources to reduce poverty through action, advocacy and leadership so that families in South Carolina have the resources to live out of poverty.

Senate Approves Extension of TANF Program

2010-11-24T12:08:00.000-05:00

On November 19, the Senate approved a one-year extension of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, a federally funded block grant program to provide families in need with a combination of financial assistance and work opportunities. Coined “Welfare to Work,” TANF limits the amount of a time an individual can receive assistance with a goal to move families in poverty to work. To help these families move off welfare and into employment, they receive assistance for job training and job skills, and to reduce barriers to employment they receive assistance with transportation and childcare.

The bill now moves to the House, which is expected to pass the extension when they return from the Thanksgiving recess. The TANF program is currently operating under a two-month extension of the program to prevent its scheduled expiration in September.

The bill does not include an extension the TANF Emergency Contingency Fund (ECF)―passed as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009―which expired September 30, 2010. Almost forty states, including South Carolina, used the ECF to support subsidized employment programs, offering vital job opportunities for low-income parents and youth and decreasing the TANF caseload. In partnership with the state workforce agency, the South Carolina Department of Social Services’ (DSS) developed a subsidized jobs program that helps businesses get back on their feet while helping parents go back to work. DSS has referred more than 1,000 people to this program, putting them in jobs and keeping them off welfare. The agency also assists parents with transportation, child care, work uniforms and required on-the-job tools, providing what is needed to move families off welfare and back to work. However, with the lack of funding, DSS will be forced to shut down these efforts.

As passed by the Senate, the legislation would limit funding for the regular TANF Contingency Fund and cancel out a provision under the continuing resolution Congress passed this fall that provided $506 million for the Contingency Fund through the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 2011. The measure would extend authorization of TANF supplemental grants to eligible states through June 2011, but would limit funding to an amount equal to $490 million less the amount used to cover Contingency Fund obligations. Thus, marking the first time Congress has not fully funded the supplemental grant program.

What’s more, the bill imposes a 4% penalty for failure to submit two new required reports. Currently states are not required to track some of the data included in the new reports. Therefore, states will be expected to undertake significant additional administrative burdens at a time of limited resources and staff time.

As you may know the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina has been advocating for TANF reauthorization. Prior to TANF, funds were allocated based on a formula which required states to provide matching dollars to draw down federal funds. Thus, states with a higher tax base could draw down more federal funding. TANF is to help families TANF is to help families move from welfare to work; therefore, TANF funding should be based on need. Next year, our hope is that Congress re-examines the TANF program and alters funding to a distribution formula based on poverty. It would target federal dollars where they are most needed – to states with high poverty. A formula that equalizes the payments to states based on the percentage of each state’s population living in poverty would benefit 33 of the 50 states, including South Carolina. A formula based on poverty best matches the original intent of the TANF legislation, and is the most unbiased way to allocate new federal funds.

The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina will continue to watch this legislation and work with our Congressional delegation to be a voice for the underserved and those that serve the underserved. It is one way the Foundation can achieve its vision that South Carolina families have the resources to live out of poverty.

Brooke Bailey is the director of communications and public policy for the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Immigration Reform

2010-11-17T11:52:00.000-05:00

The debate on immigration reform remains a very hot topic. It continues in Washington and is also part of the discussion in South Carolina. States like Arizona have passed their own immigration laws because of the stalemate in Washington. The U.S. Government must step forward with real immigration law reform before more states follow Arizona’s lead. The President has given it a high priority but, without bi-partisan support, it is unlikely that legislation will be passed.

The current immigration law in the U.S. is nothing short of confusing and outdated. We are essentially patched together using pieces of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. It is long past time to create a new law.

According to the Immigration Policy Center, there are more than 180,000 undocumented immigrants in South Carolina. This makes up about 4.4% of our state’s population. Before determining what immigration reform needs to look like, let’s glance at some the economic data. Latinos (both foreign born and native born) wield nearly $3.8 billion in purchasing power in South Carolina. The Asian population makes up over $2 billion in purchasing power. In the state of South Carolina, there are more than 3,000 Latino-owned businesses which employs more than 7,000 people and has annual sales in excess of $690 million. Many undocumented workers make up the workforce in agriculture, construction, housekeeping, restaurant and landscaping services to name a few. If all unauthorized immigrants left South Carolina, the state would lose more than $2 billion in economic activity, $782 million in gross state product and more than 12,000 jobs.

There is no denying that the immigration debate is complicated and divisive. Many children of immigrants were born here. Some immigrant children were brought here at a young age and know no other country. The vast majority of immigrants are contributing to their community with a strong work ethic and family values.

The answer to immigration reform is not to stop everyone on the street, ask for their papers, and if they are undocumented, ship them back to their home country. First and foremost, it would be inhumane. Secondly, the cost would be exorbitant with no real way to pay for it, leading to an increase in our already skyrocketing debt. It is just not pragmatic. I am not suggesting that we open our borders and let everyone that wants to live in the United States enter freely. We have over 11 million immigrants without citizenship living in America now. The Dream Act that was introduced by Senator Orrin Hatch is a good step forward. It allows young people who meet certain requirements to get an education and develop a pathway to citizenship.

True Immigration Reform will require compromise, practical thinking, fiscal responsibility and compassion. This country was founded by immigrants. That is how our forefathers got here in the first place. There are no easy answers but there is a way to make reasonable and thoughtful decisions in a bi-partisan manner. If we can have that kind of commitment to Immigration Reform, then we have a chance to do something meaningful and fix a broken system.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Assessing Poverty Through the Man on the Street

2010-10-06T16:14:00.001-04:00

Sometimes when I am walking down the street and encounter a person that is homeless or poor, I find myself with an uncomfortable feeling. If there are a group of homeless people gathered, I may even cross to the other side of the street. This is not something I am proud of or consciously decide in advance. It just happens. The other day, I was walking downtown near dusk and I encountered such a person. His clothes were dirty; he was unshaven and unkempt. He was pushing a shopping cart and talking to himself. Actually, he was yelling. His cart was full with contents of soiled clothes, boxes, soda cans, plastic bags, magazines and newspapers. I quickly realized that he was oblivious to me and his shouting was intended for any and all to hear. As I uncomfortably walked by him, I thought about his life. He was in a totally different world than me. He is in a world where he measures his future hour by hour or day to day. He had no real concept of how his words or actions impact others. Moving passed him, I wondered how he had arrived at this juncture in life. Was it drugs or alcohol, sickness, mental illness, unemployment or other afflictions that render him a statistic or consequence of poverty?

Then I questioned if his circumstances run deeper and longer than those of situational poverty. I wondered if he was born into poverty, grew up in foster care or an institution, and has been a product of poverty his entire life. Did he receive an inadequate education? Was he ever truly loved or embraced by a parent, or knew and had the support of a family unit? I wondered if he was an example of the many root causes of poverty that exist, and he is just living the next stage of his life, a stage that leaves him with few choices.

I continued thinking. How many children are on the same journey as this man? Have we done all that we can do to insure that our next generation of poor children won’t end up pushing a shopping cart and living on the street? This may be an extreme example, but my point is that most people don’t just wake up one morning and find themselves living in poverty. There is a reason they have ended up there and quite often their failures may be out of their personal control.

Poverty is systemic and it is pervasive and it starts at birth for many. Those of us interested in eradicating poverty must start early and intervene often. It is too late to make the impact needed, if we wait to intervene at the homeless shelters, food banks or free medical clinics. We can help deal with problems at those places but we won’t prevent them from happening. A lot of our energy and emphasis needs to be with children. They need to start learning earlier. They need adequate food. They need consistent and ongoing health care. They need caring teachers to help shepherd them through school and not give up on them no matter how limited the resources are or how far behind they get. They need the support of families, communities, churches and civic organizations. They need to know that just because they live in a deprived neighborhood or poor school district, they will have opportunities to be taught by talented and committed educators and, yes, if they work hard, they will have a chance to further their education. It is called hope. Hope breeds self-esteem. Self-esteem breeds talent and talent is what we need in this world.

So the man on the street may or may not have had a real chance. But there are plenty of people that do have a chance and have potential if we can help them find it. But it really needs to begin when a child opens his or her eyes at birth. Then each hour and each day is built from a foundation that provides for opportunity and success. If we commit to these goals for all children then fewer of them will be pushing shopping carts on the streets and looking for a place to sleep at night.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Listening to the Next Generation

2010-09-22T06:36:00.001-04:00

We are driving through the Pee Dee of South Carolina where the roads are narrow and the pine trees are tall. We pass cotton fields, tobacco farms, and get a true taste of rural South Carolina. We make our way to Marlboro County. We enter the community of Bennettsville. It is the boyhood home of legendary banker Hugh McColl. Bennettsville, South Carolina, mirrors many small rural communities in the South. The town is busy but there are signs and examples that it has seen better days from dilapidated buildings, closed businesses, empty stores and warehouses, vacant homes and abandoned cars and equipment.

We arrive at Marlboro County High School. It has been a while since I have been in a high school. It is remarkably clean. I begin my experience with a positive feeling. The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina is here to listen to students about issues they face in their lives and in their community. We want their perspective on things. A mixture of Foundation board and staff has traveled to the “listening session.” We meet the principal who is professional, well spoken and very engaged with his students. They like him too; you can tell by the way they interact. Then we meet the students. I am not really sure what I expected, but I know I got a whole lot more than I anticipated from these kids.

The students gathered and we broke into small groups. I had seven at my table and we just talked. Every one of them had aspirations to do great things. One wanted to be a lawyer. Another one to be an accountant then another wanted to be a psychologist. But their dreams were tempered. They realized that their dreams were certainly unprecedented because they would be the first in their families to attend college. They also acknowledged that the hill to climb to get an education beyond high school and to get a good job was going to be steep. They all said they would have to move away from Marlboro County to be successful. But they might come back later to “give back to the community.”

The students love the community and they love their school. They love their families and participate in many school and church activities. But the town has little to offer. No jobs, no recreation and an unwillingness to change, coupled with a lack of vision for the future. I offered each student an imaginary $1,000 to spend to help others. They chose scholarships for needy students, temporary assistance for needy families, feeding the hungry and helping the elderly. One wanted to spend his money on bringing the community stakeholders together to create a common vision for the town. Wow!

If this group is representative of what our next generation is going to be like, then I am not worried at all. They will do just fine and perhaps better than we have done. They have a vision for their lives and their community and are willing to change things to make life better for other people. All we have to do is remove the obstacles we have placed in front of them and create a pathway for the next generation to reach their goals and dreams. If that happens, then towns like Bennettsville, South Carolina, do have a future.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Foundation Releases 2009 Annual Report

2010-09-01T10:12:00.000-04:00

The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina’s 2009 Annual Report highlights the work of the Foundation throughout 2009.

Last year was a dynamic year for the Foundation, as it finalized its strategic plan, updated its mission statement and created a vision that families in South Carolina have the resources to live out of poverty. Learn about the over $2.1 million in grants, the five-year anniversary of the Collaboration for Ministry Initiative, the 103 nonprofit organizations served through the Learning Academy, advocacy efforts around reauthorization of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) legislation and much more in this report.

View the Foundation’s 2009 Annual Report.

Feast of St. Augustine

2010-08-28T01:17:00.005-04:00

Today, August 28, is the Feast Day of St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo in North Africa and one of the doctors of the Church. St. Augustine overcame strong heresies, practiced great poverty and supported the poor, preached very often and prayed with great fervor.

In 1851 four Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine (CSA) Sisters embarked on a two week voyage from France to Cleveland, Ohio. This began 156 years of service by hundreds of dynamic religious women responding to unmet needs of people in Ohio and South Carolina. Long before the American workplace widely accepted women in professional roles, these Sisters were directing major health care institutions, teaching in schools and developing new programs to provide needed human services. The first CSAs in America served as the first public health nurses in Cleveland, Ohio. Led by a mission to continue Christ’s healing ministry, the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine have built a legacy of caring that continues today.

The health and human service ministries of the CSA Congregation are now overseen by the Sisters of Charity Health System. The Health System embodies the values and philosophy of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine and their mission to continue the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. The Health System provides oversight, leadership and strategic direction to more than 20 ministries in Ohio and South Carolina. In South Carolina there are five ministries: Providence Hospital, Providence Hospital Northeast, South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families, Healthy Learners and Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina.

The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina continues the mission of the Sisters by strategically using resources to reduce poverty through action, advocacy and leadership.

St. Augustine's Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen.

In Catholicism, Feast Days, or Holy Days, are days which are celebrated in commemoration of the sacred events recorded in the history of our redemption, in memory of the Virgin Mother of Christ, or of His apostles, martyrs and saints, by special services and rest from work. Catholic saints are holy people and human people who lived extraordinary lives. Each saint the Church honors responded to God's invitation to use his or her unique gifts. God calls each one of us to be a saint.

Leadership Grads are a Special Group

2010-08-18T15:14:00.000-04:00

Our first leadership class graduated last week at a special ceremony at Columbia College. There were nine individuals that went through the year long program. The participants were exposed to an array of topics, top notch lecturers, robust discussions and, yes, a fair amount of homework to complete.

These individuals (8 women and 1 man) made a lot of sacrifices to accomplish the goal of attaining a certificate in nonprofit leadership and nine hours of graduate level credit from Columbia College. They met every month for a year and they did this all while working a full-time job and managing all the other responsibilities they have in their lives. I was impressed.

At the ceremony, I saw family members, lecturers, mentors and friends come and celebrate the success of these individuals. There was a feeling of pride in that room that really was contagious. The chosen class speaker, Beck Sullivan, did an extraordinary job with her speech. She represented the class members so well. These leaders will go back to work better prepared for the many challenges they face on a daily basis. They will also be poised to address long-range organizational direction and plans which are often hard to do when you are dealing with the day to day minutia.

The other thing I really witnessed in this inaugural year was the bonding that occurred among the nonprofit leaders. They have grown to love and respect each other. They have learned about family and work challenges and feel a part of each other’s lives. More importantly, they have learned a lot of useful and practical information from each other during this one year period. They have learned what works well and what does not. They have learned to be flexible and to think differently than before. They have, indeed, become better leaders.

In the end, we were all proud. We are proud of the individual accomplishments, we are proud of our Foundation team for orchestrating the program. We are proud of Columbia College and their wonderful commitment to the program and we are proud of the overall concept and how it went from a crumpled sheet of paper in 2007 to our first graduation in 2010.

The second class comes into get started this week. If they are half as passionate and committed as the first class, I will be happy. I can’t wait to see them and I can’t wait to watch them grow and bond.

Pictured from left to right: Laurie Hopkins, Ph.D. (Columbia College), Vanassa Frazier (Christ Teens), Cecilia Meggs (Lighthouse Ministries), Betsy Marlow (Miss Ruby’s Kids), Preston Winkler (Greater Columbia Community Relations Council), Dorothy Priester (Cherokee County First Steps), Beck Sullivan (Municipal Association of South Carolina), Lila Anna Sauls (St. Lawrence Place), Tom Keith (Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina) and Katrina Spigner (Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina) at the August 6, 2010, graduation.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Creative Innovation is Next

2010-08-04T08:00:00.010-04:00

I was recently thinking about how funders invest to make their communities better. Often, foundations’ decisions are dictated by what is presented before them in terms of responsive grantmaking or by selective strategies that proactively affect an issue. Both of these methods have value and, in most instances, benefit the community.

But as we look to the future in philanthropy, we must really begin to ask ourselves the question about what is next? Or what should we be looking to accomplish beyond the normal systems in which we operate?

I recently watched a program where Jeff Bezos, president and chief executive officer of Amazon, was interviewed about the Kindle which is the latest version of a device that serves as a method to read books. You can download books in no time, it has a 30 hour battery, you can easily read a book using the device and it is relatively small, and all this for only $139.

In the interview, Bezos was asked about philanthropy. I thought his philosophy was interesting. He believes that in some cases, for profit models can improve the world more effectively than philanthropic models. They should want to invest in places where there are clear market failures. The example he used was vaccines. “Well, vaccines need to be refrigerated. In poor places, there is no refrigeration and there is no electricity for refrigeration. Shouldn’t philanthropy be looking, through research and development, for ways to develop vaccines that don’t need refrigeration or battery powered refrigerators?”

This is an interesting take. I guess there is no incentive for big pharmaceutical companies to develop these types of vaccines because the money flows through developed countries that have electricity. But the whole discussion peaked my interest. I think the whole field of philanthropy should be much more creative and much more forward thinking. We have to find and invest in new and innovative ways of helping the poor and disadvantaged. The old model does some good, but it is not enough good.

Foundations must do a better job of thinking and problem solving at a different level. We cannot wait for government or private industry to be the innovators, particularly when it comes to the underserved. As times continue to be difficult and individuals and families struggle now more than ever, we must become our very own think tank. If we don’t take the time and give the energy to developing new ideas and methods for our work then it is simply not going to happen.
So, to me, the next phase of philanthropy should be about creative innovation and, yes, we need to be willing to help pay for it too.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Building a presence on Web 2.0; How the Foundation embraced social media and why you should too

2010-07-21T13:33:00.006-04:00

It is likely you’ve heard of Web sites like Myspace, Facebook and YouTube. These types of tools, referred to as social media or Web 2.0, allow individuals and organizations to shift fluidly and flexibly between the roles of audience and author. By integrating technology, social interaction and words and images, social media allows people to share opinions, insights, experiences and perspectives with each other.

The types of social media are broad and are still being created, which may cause those unfamiliar with the tools to be overwhelmed by the possibilities. But the key to understanding all social media is that it is the great leveler where users no longer just take in information that is supplied to them, but interact with that information, rate it and upload their own.

Social networking sites have received a lot of attention from the nonprofit world because they align with nonprofits' desire to reach out to larger communities. What’s more, most sites are free, making them an economical choice for effective marketing. When deciding whether or not to participate in social media, there are a few things to consider.

Audiences have shifted online. Consumers are taking control of how, what and where they access information. According to Neilson, in June 2010 three of the world’s most popular online brands are social media related: Facebook, YouTube and Wikipedia, and the average visitor spends 66% more time on these sites than a year ago (6 hours in April 2010 versus 3 hours, 31 minutes last year).

There are more than 100 million unique impressions delivered on networks like Myspace and Facebook per month. Facebook added its 500-millionth member this year. The site now has users on every continent, with half of them logging in at least once a day. Chances are people are already online talking about you; join them.

It is a good way to build support, build your database and promote specific actions, like donating to a cause, writing your congressman on an issue or attending an event. Once you connect with a contact, friend or fan, you are also connected to their list of contacts and friends, and their contacts and friends. Essentially, you are accessing the means of exponential growth as 10 of your contacts connect with 10 contacts (10x10=100) and then 10 more contacts (10X100=1,000). For those organizations that do not have a Web site, it is an easy way to establish a simple and fluid web presence.

For a better perspective, check out this video on the social media revolution.

Web 2.0 replaces the idea of a Web site as a static brochure on the internet and instead transforms your Web site into a community in which you can share your voice, your vision and your brand. It does have the potential to reach new people, including new donors or supporters of your organization.

It is, however, a conversation and if you are not committed to upholding your end of the conversation, then it doesn’t make sense to launch into social media. It requires regular maintenance and updating in order to keep the content fresh and attractive to visitors.

The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina embraces social media with this blog and through a presence on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. The Foundation began publishing this blog in 2008. Through the blog, the Foundation shares thoughts and news on the Foundation, philanthropy and the plight of poverty in South Carolina.

The Foundation has a profile on LinkedIn, a professional networking site, and a Facebook page. The Foundation also uses Twitter to send 140 character updates, called tweets, to its followers which include legislators, nonprofit and community leaders and media outlets. It is another way for the Foundation to continue to build awareness, network and share its impact. While the current followers may not reach the masses, these tools have led to stories about the Foundation on other organizations’ Web sites, blogs and electronic newsletters.

Despite all of the trends and excitement around social media, many organizations struggle with getting executive buy-in to social media strategies. If there is difficulty in getting understanding and buy-in, discuss social media in the context of the mission of the organization and how it can help achieve the organizations goals, rather than the new and cool factor of the tools.

Conduct internet searches and see what is currently out there about your organization. If there is negative information or worse, no information, show the appropriate persons and have a social media plan to combat current online content and spread your organization’s message. Better yet, see what the competition is doing. Are they reaching audiences and participating in social media? Is your organization left behind?

Recommend more than one platform. If top executives can’t grasp the benefit of YouTube, offer another platform and encourage participation.

Lastly, provide examples of success stories from organizations using social media. In the Society for New Communications 2008 report titled “New Media, New Influencers & Implications for Public Relations” the Mayo Clinic notes that by launching a podcast campaign to share the stories of its customers and advocates and knowledge of its experts, the Clinic significantly increased traffic to its Web site and enhanced its influence.

Another case study in the same report focuses on the American Red Cross and the aftermath of the effects of social media following the Hurricane Katrina disaster in 2005. At that time the American Red Cross was not participating in social media and was unprepared to respond to the criticisms online, much of it incorrect and misinformation. The Red Cross now has a disaster portal where it creates all of its disaster-focused RSS (syndication) feeds, a blog called Red Cross Chat, a Flickr community where people can share their photographs online and uses Twitter to update followers with alerts during a disaster.

Social media is timely and can influence action. For example, with the recent BP oil spill a Facebook Cause Page was set up called Help Wildlife Impacted by the BP Oil Spill and raised over $67,000 in a short time.

The importance of being social isn’t new. It builds understanding, fosters trust, develops relationships and can act as a catalyst for change. Social media does the same and allows organizations to expand their audience, discover others who share or support a similar interest and creates an online network of contacts and supporters. Go where the conversation is happening: What you give up in control you may gain in valuable information that you didn’t already know.

Brooke Bailey is the director of communications and public policy for the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Women & Spirit

2010-06-23T11:56:00.002-04:00

The recent pilgrimage by a delegation from South Carolina to visit the Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America exhibit in Cleveland was, in a word, exhilarating. Having worked with religious women for 17 years now, I have a great appreciation for their work and a certain level of understanding of the culture. It all came together for me during the two hour visit to the Maltz Museum to view the exhibit. Women in religious life are the world’s best kept secret.

Their work has touched millions of people in thousands of different ways and for centuries. I saw pictures of Sisters marching into battle with the Italian army ready to provide aid to the wounded. I saw them putting their lives at risk in the deep South in the 60s and in mission work in foreign countries.

I read about the tragedy of El Salvador and the death of those brave Sisters. I listened to the story of the great hurricane and flood of Galveston Texas in 1910. It told of the nuns tethering young orphans to their side so they could all band together during the storm. It was a tragic ending and only three survived. When the bodies of the dead were recovered, young boys and girls were still connected to the Sisters by string. What a powerful image.

I was also inspired by the unique but wonderful partnership the Sisters and the Jewish community have developed around the exhibit in Cleveland. We were able to learn about the struggles throughout history in the Jewish faith which, in some instances, has certain similarities to the plight of women religious.

The religious women have built schools, started and run orphanages, created hospitals and nursing homes, cared for unwed mothers, started Alcoholic Anonymous, cared for the starving in third world countries, dealt with AIDS patients and so much more. I think about our own Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine and how they have taken risks throughout their religious lives so others could benefit. Their sacrifices have helped thousands in Ohio, South Carolina and beyond.

The common theme, to me, with the Women & Spirit exhibit was humble service but a tenacious spirit and work ethic. In other words, we will get the job done but we are not going to boast about it nor do we need any praise for it. The Sisters are doing God’s work and that is all that matters to them.

The exhibit will be in Cleveland until the end of August and then move to another city in the U.S. It is worth your time to see it.

One final note: Our travel delegation representing the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina (11 of us, including six nuns) left the museum overwhelmed with emotion. Shortly after boarding the bus following the exhibit, a song was sung by the group. These lyrics filled the air, “Praise God for whom all blessings flow: praise him all creatures here below: praise him above, ye heavenly host: praise father, son and Holy Ghost.”

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

A Call to Women to Join the Fatherhood Movement

2010-06-16T14:42:00.002-04:00

Courageous, thoughtful and spirited women have led national movements that fought for women’s rights and advocated for changes in attitudes and policies that diminished women. Men, too, have joined with women-led causes.

Now a national movement focused on men needs the active involvement and support of women. This movement addresses one of the most devastating trends of our time: father absence. The fatherhood movement focuses on men and the well-being of children.

Being a part of South Carolina’s fatherhood movement for more than ten years, I have seen first-hand ways women can support or hinder the involvement of fathers in their children’s lives.
Here are some useful ways women can support fathers.

First, support men in their parenting role. Men parent differently from women. Research shows that fathers parenting style while different from mothers is important in shaping healthy well-rounded children.

Second, encourage men to find help and get support in their role as fathers. Many fathers have not had a positive father role model in their lives. There are growing resources and fathers groups available to help support men in their role as fathers. For example, The South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families, established in 2002 by the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina, supports local fatherhood programs in eleven communities across the state where low-income fathers can get help.

Third, women in traditional social service and educational roles should foster father involvement. For some time, we have focused on empowering mothers as parents to the exclusion of fathers. Admittedly, many dads have not been around leaving mothers to be the sole nurturer and provider. We need to acknowledge that children suffer without a father’s involvement. We should ask the question, what role can or should the child’s father play then reach out to get him to become actively involved. Women can support new expectations, policies and attitudes, that foster father involvement much like men have done for women.

Fourth, women can contribute and encourage increased resources and funding for fatherhood programs. While women have fought fiercely for much-needed funding for women’s needs, we too must support funding for fathers for the benefit of children. Supporting fathers does not mean diminishing what is being done for women. It is simply a recognition that we need both.

Finally, when the father is not living in the home with the children, mothers and grandmothers are the ones who grant access for fathers to their children. Mothers and grandmothers hold the formidable role as gatekeepers. Too often women vent their anger and disappointment with the fathers by withholding the children.

So women, if not for the men, then for the children let’s get behind the fatherhood movement that calls men to be responsible and accountable while providing resources needed to fulfill their role as actively involved fathers.

Patricia Littlejohn is the assistant executive director of the Sisters of Charity Foundation and the executive director of the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families.

Foundation Asks SC Gubernatorial Candidates Questions Around Poverty

2010-06-02T15:15:00.002-04:00

The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina asked all South Carolina gubernatorial candidates five questions around poverty and economic opportunity in the state. The five questions reflect general issues and policies that are of concern to the underserved in South Carolina and the organizations and voters working with this population.

After repeated attempts to collect responses, the Foundation only received answers from Nikki Haley (R) and Jim Rex (D).

These questions are one means to assist voters in analyzing some of the significant poverty and opportunity issues of the campaign so that they can exercise their rights in a most effective manner. It is not the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina’s intention to you how to vote. Likewise, Foundation does not endorse or campaign for candidates or political parties. Our hope is that voters will examine the positions of candidates on these issues, as well as their personal integrity, beliefs and performance.

To view five questions and candidates' responses, click here.

Congress Needs to Reauthorize TANF and Change the Distribution Formula; But Right Now Replenish the Contingency Fund

2010-05-26T09:38:00.001-04:00

The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina, along with other Southeastern Council of Foundations members, continue to raise awareness on the impact of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding in our states and advocate for TANF reauthorization.

TANF funding is critical to all states in the Southeastern Council of Foundations (SECF), and the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina is advocating for Congress to reauthorize TANF, and once this occurs to change the funding distribution formula to one that is based on a state’s need. If the amount of funding is increased using the consumer-price index, states making up the SECF would receive a total over $1.5 billion, in addition to current funding, if a formula based on poverty is implemented. A formula that equalizes the payments to states based on the percentage of each state’s population living in poverty would benefit 33 of the 50 states.

Understanding TANF reauthorization may likely be pushed back a year, to 2011, the Foundation believes that there is a more immediate and pressing need, that of the TANF Contingency Fund.

When TANF replaced the old Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program in 1996, Congress appropriated $2.5 billion to a TANF Contingency Fund. Congress created this fund to accommodate states’ increased caseload during a major economic downturn. In order to access this fund states had to have had an increase in needy families in the state as measured by families receiving food stamps (more than 10% increase for the same period in the prior year). The state was also required to invest additional state dollars on needy families. With the economic downturn in 2008, many states qualified for the fund and the fund was completely depleted in 2009.

Many states depend on this money to take people out of poverty and into work. According to information on the federal fiscal year that ended in September 2009, Arkansas will lose $36,260,975, Maryland will lose $38,183,005, North Carolina will lose $60,447,900, Tennessee will lose $38,304,759 and South Carolina will lose $40,000,000. (Some states may have drawn down dollars in 2010, but that information is not published yet.)

To get a better idea of how the TANF Contingency Fund affects South Carolina, read Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina President Tom’s Keith guest column, The Real Welfare Crisis, that appeared in last Sunday’s (May 23, 2010) The State newspaper. You can also tune into the following SC ETV radio stations or online at Your Day Thursday, May 27 from noon-1 p.m. to hear an interview with Tom Keith and South Carolina Department of Social Services State Director Dr. Kathleen Hayes on this very issue.

Last year, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) created a new Emergency Fund under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant. Congress provided $5 billion for the Emergency Fund in ARRA. However, this Emergency Fund is set to expire on September 30, 2010.

As you can see the, there is an immediate need for Congress to replenish the original TANF Contingency Fund or extend the TANF Emergency Fund. Since most southern states’ elected leaders do not support stimulus funding, the best approach is to ask Congress to replenish the original TANF Contingency Fund. This funding source was created for use in a down economy, and this is clearly a time when states need access to these funds. As advocates for the underserved in South Carolina, the Sisters of Charity Foundation is working with the South Carolina Department of Social Services, other organizations, foundations and elected officials to figure out how to get this much needed funding to South Carolina and all southern states.

The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina and other foundations comprising the Southeastern Council of Foundations are all familiar with the poverty that exists in the states they serve. It is a condition we all work hard to change every day. We know the enormous difference this funding can make in our states for families in poverty, and how detrimental it can if we don’t receive it. United, the Southeastern Council of Foundations can act to help our states get an equitable share of any new TANF funding. Working with the state TANF agency, the Governor’s office and our Congressional delegations we can make sure this issue gets the attention it deserves and results in equity for our states.

Brooke Bailey is the director of communications and public policy for the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Mothers

2010-05-04T09:48:00.000-04:00

There are many things that have occurred at the Sisters of Charity Foundation over the last few months. We have a lot to be thankful for and proud of and our work continues to be fulfilling and promising. There have been some personal things going on too. I am going to share some of my personal thoughts with you as we approach Mother’s Day this year.

In the last four months, both my mother-in-law and my mother died. Both were in their late 80s so their passing was not unexpected but it was very sad and difficult. So as Mother’s Day arrives this year, it feels very different for me. My mother-in-law, Sara Jane, was a person that always put other people first. She was kind, loving, sensitive and genuine. I never once saw her put on airs or try to be somebody she wasn’t. She had a way of making each individual person feel extremely special. She could make or fix anything. My wife, Doris, her daughter, has a lot of those same qualities too. They say that we often grow up to be our parents and, for Doris, that is a wonderful thing. Her mother was as special as any woman I have ever met. Even though Alzheimer’s took her away from us a few years ago, her passing in December was a time of great sadness. I miss her dearly.

My mother, Johnnie, was a doting and loving mother. She was always worrying about my brother and me. She raised us in a strong Christian, small town environment. She gave us the grounding to treat others with respect and always try to do your best in every single situation. My mother lived a life of love surrounded by family and friends. She taught me to be kind and loving to all people no matter whom they were or where they came from. “God made us all equal” she would say and she meant it. Mother died suddenly in February and it has been extremely difficult. I miss her so much; I saw her on a regular basis and her death has left a void for me and my family.

But my mother and mother-in-law live on. They live in my wife and me and their memory lives in and with many people that we come in touch with each day.

On behalf of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina, I would like to wish a happy Mother’s Day to all of the mothers out there. May each of us give you the love and support you deserve and never take you for granted. Mothers are the lifeblood of each and every one of us and, they continue to touch us, either through their loving hands today or through the memories of that love from the past.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Leaders of the Future Must have Different Skills

2010-04-29T09:28:00.000-04:00

It is time for baby boomers to face the fact that our time is running out in the work force. Unless, we plan to work until we are 80, then our years are dwindling quickly and, sooner than later, we will be gone. You might ask, “so what?” and that is precisely why I write this.

I believe there is going to be a gaping hole between current leadership in the philanthropic world and the next group of leaders. Why? Because we don’t really have a plan in place to truly prepare the next group of leaders, and the skills and abilities needed for the next generation of leaders is going to be vastly different than those we exercise today.

Reflecting on when I first started with the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina back in the mid-90s, I think about how we only had one computer in the entire office and it belonged to the secretary. Everything was copied and filed manually. We still used an electric typewriter for goodness sakes! We transformed in the past 15 years and will continue to evolve in the next 15 years with new and innovative ways to operate. Information technology, communications, social media, etc. is at an accelerated pace.

Information technology will be the single most important force that will drive philanthropy over the next two decades. I think about the goals of the Sisters of Charity Foundation in the coming years. We will utilize technology to teach and train hundreds more nonprofit practitioners than ever before. We will communicate and inform through mediums that have not be used before. We will report and share findings in exciting new ways. We will be able to take the Foundation office with us no matter where we go. Everything will be a click away.

The next generation leaders must be willing and able to embrace this reality and treat it as an opportunity. We have a chance to make philanthropy more efficient, more informative and with better and more definable results. This may also change staffing patterns and the role of staff. Our future leaders will be able to utilize new tools and analyze old methods to improve the organization’s overall effectiveness both internally and externally. There is no prescriptive CEO manual that we can hand to the next generation of leaders. It is not available and it shouldn’t be. To me, it will come down to a select group of people that are high energy yet compassionate, mission-driven, flexible, innovative and technologically savvy.

People are at the heart of our work in philanthropy and that should never change. However, doing business in 2025 is going to be a whole new ballgame. I hope I am still alive to see these leaders in action. It will be as invigorating and exciting as anything you could ever imagine and I think the opportunities are endless. Oh, if only I was age 35 again!

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Research Through Listening

2010-04-14T11:23:00.000-04:00

I recently visited a small rural community in South Carolina, and passed a homeless young woman sitting in her car on a side street. I learned that during the long, cold winter nights, she sleeps bundled up with in blankets. When it is too cold for her body to bear, she turns her car on―in desperation―to generate a little extra heat. As I entered the building across the street from her parked car, she discretely moved her vehicle farther down the street as not to attract any further attention.

Although she hoped to be “invisible,” her presence over the past few weeks had already been noticed by the local community pastor. Realizing her needs, he enlisted a community member to approach her car and compassionately inquire about her well-being, “Are you okay? It’s cold out here; you could die.”

“If I’m lucky, I will,” was her response, reflecting the vast depth of her hopelessness and despair. Since that encounter, the pastor has quietly worked behind the scenes recruiting the community to watch over her, acknowledging her presence in a way that maintains her fragile sense of dignity and respect.

As I saw this woman sitting in her car and heard the pastor share her story, a million questions flooded my mind. Did she have family or friends concerned about her well-being and looking for her? What had happened in her life that had brought her to this place of desperation and loneliness? Would she ever trust someone enough to express her current needs and concerns?

Unfortunately, this young woman is not alone. South Carolina is a state with a history of significant poverty.There are twelve counties that have experienced persistent poverty for years, and there are many other men or women facing the same sense of isolation and hopelessness.

The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina works to identify ways to document its collaborative efforts to reduce poverty in South Carolina. Often termed as “research,” it also includes listening to those experiencing poverty directly, along with other leaders and stakeholders in their community. It is one way to find answers to some of these questions and seek solutions to better our communities.

In an effort to really listen to those experiencing poverty and hear the voices of those who work daily in service to the poor, the Foundation is conducting several “Listening Sessions” in selected communities across the state this year. The first Listening Session was held in Allendale in March, and the Foundation will travel to Johns Island this month.

According to the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, “Change can only happen when everyone who is affected has a seat at the table and has the opportunity to speak.” The Foundation hopes the listening sessions will allow us to use the gift of listening in order to better understand the potential concerns and solutions that could be utilized to meet unmet needs, and identify ways to facilitate change across the state where persistent poverty and hopelessness can abound.

Stephanie Cooper-Lewter is the senior director of research and special programs for the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

What Are We Thinking?

2010-03-24T17:39:00.000-04:00

I was reminded recently of the “fine line” that we walk in philanthropy as it pertains to expectations of grantees. Also, we sometimes send mixed messages to those seeking funds. Let me explain. Two questions that most funders ask potential grantees are “what is your sustainability plan?” and “how do you intend to fund this project/program beyond this grant?” In isolation, these questions are relevant and fair. Foundation’s don’t want to fund something that is going to have a short life span and they don’t want to be “on the hook” for a long-term financial commitment to organizations they fund, thus the significance of these questions.

But what are the results in the relationship between grantee and funder if the grantee does or does not reach sustainability as the funder expects? Good question. Does the funder let the program die because they are unwilling to put up additional funding to get a program to sustainability even if it takes longer than expected? Another good question: do they walk away from a grantee that is a high achiever, reaches success with the grant funds and is sustained, but needs additional funding to take the program further?
Here is what I think? Funders, in large part, are fundamentally unrealistic about their expectations around sustainability. That is not to say that the questions should not be asked, but the reality is that nine times out of ten an organization is not going to be able to answer that question with certainty that they will or will not be able to sustain themselves following the grant award period. There are just too many variables that make the answers to the questions unachievable unless there is a funding stream that is ongoing, which is not the case for most nonprofits. Individual and corporate donors come and go, grant funding has a short life, special events take time and energy and wills and bequests happen infrequently.

Yes, foundations must be good stewards of their resources and they must operate within certain guidelines to be fair and accountable. But arbitrary time limits for grant funding and high expectations for sustainability is not helping, but rather hurting the very nonprofits that funders intend to help. So, if funders truly want to get the biggest bang for their buck then they need to consider some flexibility in decision-making and more realistic expectations around results, particularly as it applies to sustainability. During this economy, more nonprofits are fighting to survive than ever before. We, in the foundation business are investors; investors during good times and bad times. If we want a realistic return on that investment then we need to employ some alternative investment strategies. These include: a longer commitment for funding, more flexibility for those who can’t promise sustainability and let’s not punish those who have sustained themselves either.

The goal for nonprofits is to succeed with their mission and survive this difficult economy. We, in philanthropy, should not be obstacles toward achieving those goals but a catalyst for reaching those goals. This starts with a little self reflection about our processes and procedures, expectations and, yes, the questions we ask. If we can do that, then more realistic outcomes can be attained and our relationship with grantees will be stronger because they will know that we understand them better.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Counting People Counts for South Carolina

2010-03-10T11:29:00.000-05:00

The year 2010 is an important one as it pertains to gathering census data. The recession has depleted many of the government resources necessary to adequately prepare and implement the process of collecting data. Many funders around the country have invested resources to supplement the government’s efforts. For example, the California Endowment gave more than $4 million to nonprofit groups working to draw attention to the census in that state.

Although South Carolina is significantly smaller than California the issues around identifying and effectively collecting census data are the same, if not worse. In poor areas of the state and many of our minority communities, it appears more difficult to gather data and to get individuals to participate. For example, the growing Hispanic population in the state, not only has language barrier issue, but also the need for confidentiality. It is important that the census is protective of undocumented immigrants and that an awareness campaign is developed to let individuals know that being counted will not be a risk to them in any way, shape or form.

Attention must also be given to our large homeless population in our more populated cities around South Carolina. Alternative census locations need to be aimed towards food banks, homeless shelters, free medical clinics and other places where the homeless population is likely to frequent. It is also important that the census representatives are inclusive of the population they are attempting to identify and gather information. In other words, the census staff needs to be representative of the ethnic composition of the communities and neighborhoods where they will be working. These workers need to be able to “speak the language” and be trusted messengers in the data gathering process. Otherwise, many individuals will disappear and not be counted, which could have an adverse affect on our state’s resources and federal funding to adequately serve our actual population.

Some estimates suggest that nearly 10% of South Carolina’s true population went uncounted in 2000 which equates to nearly 400,000 people. That represents a huge gap between actual and collected data in the state. We must invest in the right tools and the right strategy to collect accurate census data this time. If not, then all South Carolinians will suffer in the long run. It will mean fewer dollars to support our state which has already been decimated by a poor economy and huge budget shortfalls.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Understanding Who We Are; It's Complicated

2010-02-04T13:24:00.000-05:00

The word “philanthropy” can have a different meaning depending on where you live and what a particular foundation looks like, which some believe is the biggest problem with philanthropy today. Philanthropy seems often self-indulged and not truly committed to finding new and innovative ways to address social problems at the grassroots level. I will also suggest that some funders I have met over the years have developed a cavalier attitude when it comes to their foundation’s direction and purpose. In their minds, they know what’s best for their community and it’s certainly their money to invest how and where they want.

Furthermore, we, as funders, have lofty expectations of those we fund and often apply a set of rules and expectations that are more about process and procedure instead of quality, content or community change. I deplore bureaucracies that force potential grantees to jump through enormous hoops just to get their application reviewed. We need to be spending more time and energy not setting up superfluous rules and guidelines but rather looking for more effective ways to engage and understand disadvantaged individuals and families. It makes far more sense to invest our resources in better defining the significant challenges facing those living in poverty along with understanding what their specific priorities are so they can live more productive lives. We also need their ongoing thoughts and input so our foundations’ decision making is grounded in real life issues and awareness.

Social change, to me, is far less about money and far more about attitude, clarity of purpose, influence and education. We often get caught in the money trap but, quite frankly, private philanthropy’s wealth is simply “a drop in the bucket” compared to the societal needs for underserved communities today.

More involvement and input from those we want to help is at the top of our list at the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina. It has to be. If not, we are making decisions in a vacuum that may be well-intended but often end up leaving important stakeholders out of the equation. I am not just talking about agency input but individual “client” input: the homeless, clients of the food banks, the unemployed, the children of single parents, students in poor school districts, families without access to health care, seniors without transportation, etc. It is a simple concept but it is also a fundamental shift for philanthropy. It is like asking a patient, “Where do you hurt?” rather than coming up with a diagnosis based on what you, the doctor, observes and thinks.

The true measure of social change will be viewed through many different lenses and measured differently by people in the field. However, significant change starts from the ground floor and works up; in the classroom, waiting in line for food or shelter, teen parenting, father absence, etc. Let’s not focus our energy solely on the process but rather on understanding and responding to those who really know how they feel. It is the right prescription for today’s philanthropic ills.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Lt. Governor Needs to Understand Before Generalizing

2010-01-27T12:22:00.000-05:00

A recent statement by our state’s Lt. Governor regarding government assistance has caused me to wonder about how we view other individuals with less means in our society. I can assure you that truly understanding poverty in South Carolina cannot be passed off with a sweeping generalization about poor people. It certainly cannot be better understood by using a comparison of these individuals to stray animals. The challenges and barriers facing the poor in South Carolina is both crosscutting and extremely complicated. Often times, people and even leaders, want to stereotype others into certain categories without examining all of the real facts.

Poor people in our state are faced with a multitude of challenges each day. A parent, and often a single parent, may be working multiple jobs to keep the family afloat. To assume that by not attending a parent-teacher conference, they are not interested in their child’s wellbeing is not a fair assumption. Furthermore, if you plan to punish a family because a parent does not attend such a meeting by taking away subsidies for their children to eat, what have you accomplished? You sure haven’t helped the child. We have a split society in South Carolina- “the haves and the have not’s”. It is pretty easy for those of us who have steady incomes and positions of influence to pass judgment on the other half of society.

We know where our next meal is coming from and we know that there will be a roof over our head tonight. What we don’t know are the obstacles a parent living in poverty may face. Do they have access to transportation? Do they have adequate access to information or communication? The fact of the matter is that every child that attends public schools receives some level of support from the tax payer. Some school districts fair better than others and therefore some children fair better than others. Let’s not make rash generalizations about people living in poverty unless “we have walked in their shoes” and we have all the facts.

We should be spending our time and energy debating how we are going to help our poor communities get a fair education for their children, more job training and job opportunities for their citizens and therefore, more people contributing in a positive way to our society as a whole. I would much rather spend our time focusing on opportunities and possibilities than establishing additional barriers for the already marginalized segment of South Carolina’s population.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

2010-01-19T09:55:00.000-05:00

This time in January, is a time of celebration, a time of recognition and a time of reflection. We celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A man who changed the world while he was alive and his words and actions have helped change the world since his death.

We don’t have to necessarily be religious to appreciate Dr. King’s teachings. Now there is no question that his thoughts and words are grounded in his faith. One of the things that I have learned through hearing and reading Dr. King’s words is an ongoing message of encouragement. He was able to take people that felt hopeless and give them hope. He was not a man of violence but he was willing to stand firm on his beliefs of what was just and what was fair and what was equal, and then suffer the consequences of that action.

I recently visited the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis where Dr. King was assassinated. It was a surreal experience for me. The hotel has been made into a shrine for him but also for others who were willing to stand up for civil rights and for fairness. I stood in a replica of the bus where Rosa Parks refused to move. I saw pictures and signs of people who had been made to feel less than equal. Signs that pointed one color of skin to one bathroom and another color of skin to a different bathroom. Signs that allowed one color to sit in the main viewing area of a movie theatre and a sign that said if your skin was a certain color, then you must go up into the balcony away from others.

It gave me perspective and it continues to give me empathy and understanding.

It has been over 40 years since Dr. Martin Luther King was killed in Memphis. And, as I prepared this piece, I asked myself two questions: What has not changed and what has changed since Dr. King’s death?

First, what has not changed:

Our public education system in poor communities in South Carolina still ranks near the bottom in the United States. It ranks near the bottom in qualified and competent teachers, in student performance and―first and foremost―in funds available to support those teachers and students. Our future generation of young people will have significant limitations unless we make education a priority in our state, and not just in the wealthy communities, but all communities. In the lawsuit waged between the Corridor of Shame Counties and the State of South Carolina, a small bit of progress was made but overall I was ashamed of our state’s response. Do you mean to tell me that you can be satisfied that we are offering our young people in poor counties a minimally adequate education. All this occurring in buildings that were built over 100 years ago without proper heat, plumbing or other basic necessities. I believe that very little progress has been made in our public educational system in poor communities in the last 40 years.

Health care. I cannot tell you how disappointed I am with the state of health care, health access and health coverage in this country. It is a colossal problem that we continue to ignore and our leaders continue to base their decisions on the influence of big insurance companies and drug companies. Every single person in this country should be entitled to health care and not have to put themselves or their families at risk because of it. We must have a system in place that emphasizes prevention, easy access to providers and ongoing treatment and coverage regardless of the age or financial position a person finds themselves in.

Jobs. There is such a disparity in jobs between the haves and the have nots that it is almost comical. We continue to provide minimal opportunities for education and therefore hamstring our poorer populations to do basic jobs that do not afford them growth or to realistically take care of their families. We must embrace and push job training and create job opportunities for the poor. If not, we are contributing to a systemic problem that fosters dependency on government with very few options otherwise. We say we have a free market society but it is not a free market for those that don’t have the education or resources to truly participate. There is a serious imbalance that needs to be addressed.

To my second question, What has changed:

I would say that we have more people invested than ever before. We had a national movement that elected Barack Obama President. We have more people volunteering in our nonprofit sector than ever before. We have after school tutoring programs, job training programs, nursing programs in rural areas, fatherhood programs, access to justice initiatives and leadership development programs for our youth.

I have seen progress. Is it world-changing progress? No, but it is progress.

We, living and working in communities, have the same opportunities to make a difference or invest in change that Dr. Martin Luther King had more than 40 years ago. We see the injustices in education, health care and jobs. We, in the private sector, can help and are helping.

South Carolina has its problems but so does every other state in our country. If South Carolina is going to succeed, then every one of its citizens must have an opportunity to succeed. If South Carolina is going to improve then racial divides must be broken and our state must look at each other as fellow South Carolinians with common purpose and pride.

If Dr. King were alive today, I think he would be disappointed in a lot of things. I also believe he would be proud of a lot of things. He would be proud of our spirit. He would be proud of our willingness to find new ways to help others and he would be proud that we, as private citizens, are willing and able to take ownership in the needed changes in our state and communities and help lead that charge.

So, I challenge each of you today to not live in a world that is secure and privileged but live in a world that is sensitive and empathetic. Don’t just watch as things occur but participate. Don’t just care but act. Don’t just breathe life but live life. The outcome may seem simple but it could be monumental. Wouldn’t it be wonderful that after all is said and done, we could look at our fellow citizens and friends; black, white, Christian or non-Christian, democrat or republican, male or female, rich or poor and we can say, “Job well done, my neighbor and friend, job well done.”

God bless you all.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

How full is the glass?

2009-12-23T11:30:00.000-05:00

I had a friend once tell me that when he saw a certain person on the street, he did his very best to avoid them. He would even cross to the other side of the street. I asked, “why?” and he said, “because I can be having the best day of my life and then I start talking with that person and they let the air right out of the balloon and I become instantly depressed.” I thought “wow” and what a way to be labeled by somebody else. Unfortunately, it is true with many people.

I have to watch myself because if you observe the bleak picture being painted for us on the news, it can be pretty depressing. I have this recurring thought of being in a long line of hundreds of people waiting for soup or having to give up my house and move in with my older brother. These are not good thoughts.

Then I think about all those people who have far less than me, and yet they don’t complain about anything. They are so happy with the simplest things in life. Some of the most unselfish, caring and spiritual people with the best attitudes I have ever met are people with modest means. They are not trying to “keep up with the Jones” or impress anyone at all. They are who they are and believe what they believe and that is just fine with them. It just amazes me how many that happens so many times.

So, even in the worst of times, I am developing a better attitude about things. I am not going to complain about my 50-something back, or how cold it is, or how the price of something has gone up or how bad the driver is in front of me. I am going to take the high road just like a lot of the people who really have something to complain about but don’t.

I once watched a speaker from Chicago pour tea into a 12-ounce glass halfway. He looked at it and said, “It is up to you how you interpret the glass of tea. It is either half empty or half full.” Personally, I am voting for “half full” from now on. It just seems much easier to me and I bet I will be a lot happier too. So, have a great day, week, month, 2010 and life! Things look really great to me.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Thinking About the Year End

2009-12-02T16:08:00.001-05:00

As we approach the end of the calendar year, there is hopefulness among charitable organizations that something good is going to happen. There is a hope that people will feel more benevolent during the holiday season and give money. They recognize that the first 11 months of 2009 have been far less successful than anticipated. Organizations are “holding out hope” that this final month of the year will “pay off” financially. Additional optimism occurs when charities think about donors who need a tax break and will give generously to their organization.

What a wonderful fantasy they are having. I don’t think there is much chance this will happen in December 2009. Why? Well, most people are either struggling to make ends meet (average incomes), need assistance from others to survive (below average incomes) or lost 55% of their portfolio in the stock market (higher incomes). Those who lost money are trying to recover those funds and are worried about their own future retirement possibilities. Any of these three scenarios does not bode well for charities this year end.

The good news; I believe, that 2010 will be a far better year for all charities. I truly believe we have weathered a very tough storm and that we can begin repairing our organizations next year. Charitable giving will improve in 2010 and it will improve in the business, grant making and individual/private sectors. So, don’t expect a huge windfall in December, it likely won’t come. Do expect more funds and better circumstances for all of next year. I really think help from generous supporters is just around the corner and better times are ahead for charities.

Happy Holidays to All.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

It's Time to Remove South Carolina's Handicap: Why TANF Reauthorization is Crucial

2009-10-28T16:28:00.000-04:00

How much is a child in South Carolina worth? Not nearly as much as a child in Connecticut according to the federal program designed to alleviate poverty. The federal government provides the state of Connecticut with $1,052 a year for each child in poverty. The same federal fund values poor children in South Carolina at $179 per child. And it’s not just in South Carolina; it seems children throughout the South are worth less than their counterparts in other parts of the nation.

Apart from our underfunded school systems or our high unemployment rates, federal welfare reform legislation hinders the many southern states like South Carolina from achieving its desired results. South Carolina gets less federal money to lift families out of poverty than almost any other state.

Before welfare was reformed in 1996, funds were allocated based on a formula which required states to provide matching dollars to draw down federal funds. Thus, states with higher per capita incomes, and therefore a higher tax base, could draw down more federal funding. States with small tax bases, like South Carolina, had few dollars to invest and, therefore, got few dollars back.

When welfare reform was passed, a new program called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) was established. The goal of TANF is to move families from welfare to work. To achieve this, these families receive assistance in job training and job skills and assistance to reduce the barriers they face in obtaining and maintaining employment, like transportation and childcare. Most of South Carolina’s families receiving TANF assistance are single parents with one or two children. Currently our state has only enough funds to serve 25% of the families eligible for childcare assistance. And it has even fewer dollars to address a family’s need for transportation and training.

The most difficult part of this new welfare reform bill was figuring out how to distribute the block grant to states. Naturally, high-income states sought to continue getting the big federal dollars they received under the old program, while low-income states desired a new formula based on the number of families in poverty living in each state. This time, like many times before, the high-income states, often with larger delegations, won the fight and received the lion’s share of the money. Federal funds were allocated to states based on the average amount of funds received for the prior three-year period, which was under the old program. Low-income states were left with the task of implementing new programs and new federal requirements with very little money.

Some poor states were thrown a bone, “a supplemental payment,” in exchange for their votes to pass the welfare reform legislation. Seventeen states qualified for this bone, because their level of spending per poor person was less than 35% of the national average or they had more than a 10% increase in population from 1990 through 1994. With spending per poor person at 37.66% of the national average and only a 5% increase in population during the given time period, South Carolina just missed the mark to receive supplemental funding.

What’s more, when the supplemental funding was formed, it was frozen so that no other states could be added and the original seventeen would not lose the funding. Thus, even though a state like South Carolina qualified for supplemental funding the second year, it could not receive the additional funding. In fact, South Carolina was the only state in deep poverty that did not get any extra help. States like Kentucky, South Carolina and Virginia were held to the same federal requirements, which cost a lot more, as every other state, and were given less money with which to meet those requirements.

The law that created welfare reform, the TANF Act, is up for reauthorization next year. States are planning to ask Congress to take a look at the funding for the program and add some new dollars to make up for the buying power lost to inflation over the past 13 years. Based on the consumer-priced index, this would be approximately an additional $5 billion nationally. The new money needs to be distributed using a new formula - one based on poverty. A formula that equalizes the payments to states based on the percentage of each state’s population living in poverty would benefit 33 of the 50 states, the majority of states. It would target federal dollars where they are most needed - to states with high poverty. And South Carolina would receive a fair and equal share of the new money.

Over the last 13 years, it is estimated that South Carolina has lost approximately $150 million in TANF funding. This is money that did not go to South Carolina families moving from poverty to self sufficiency. If the amount of funding is increased using the consumer-priced index South Carolina would receive $32 million under the current formula. The amount would increase to $93 million if funds were distributed using the suggested new formula based on need. A formula based on poverty leads to an additional $61 million. This would make a significant impact on our state, and it’s now time to get our fair share of funding.

The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina envisions families in South Carolina with the resources to live out of poverty. The current funding is based on the amount a state received 13 years ago under a different program. It is an injustice to continue to use this formula, as states with the largest number of citizens in poverty will receive the smallest amount of funding. As a Foundation we feel that we must bring this to light and fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. Our state has been short-changed in TANF funding and we feel that it is time for South Carolina to receive its fair share.

The old money ($16 billion) would still use the old formula that allots for more funding for high-income states that can draw down more federal funding. Everyone wins. Everyone gets more money. TANF is designed for people out of work, and with the current economy, now is the time for Congress to reauthorize TANF.

A formula based on poverty best matches the original intent of the TANF legislation, and is the most unbiased way to allocate new federal funds. The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina is planning to do all that we can to make sure South Carolina and other southern states get an equitable share of any new TANF funding. We want to make sure Congress gets it right this time, so that South Carolina no longer has to work under a handicap. Just think of what an additional $93 million for South Carolina’s low-income families would mean.

Tom Keith is the president for the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

An Important Faith-Based Discussion

2009-10-14T10:24:00.000-04:00

Dr. Fred Smith, a nationally recognized Theologian, will visit Columbia next month to speak. This is not the first trip Dr. Smith has made in correlation with the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina. He came to South Carolina in 2001 to help the Foundation celebrate the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine’s 150 year anniversary.

The Foundation, in conjunction with the United Way of the Midlands, will welcome Dr. Smith again. We will assemble several faith-based leaders in the Columbia area to discuss several important issues. The entire premise for the discussion is about the ever changing demand and expectations for faith-based organizations in community building.

It was not too long ago that churches, synagogues and other religious facilities were mainly focused on their congregations with limited outreach. Things are very different today. The faith-based sector finds themselves invested in a variety of activities and purposes that have traditionally been carried out by nonprofit organizations. There are soup kitchens, after school programs, reading recovery programs, teen pregnancy prevention efforts, fatherhood related activities, job training programs, self help and self esteem programs, food banks, clothing closets and an array of other programs far too numerous to mention.

This all happened for a reason. When welfare reform took place in the mid 1990’s a lot of government related services went by the wayside. Religious groups had to fill the gap. They have done the best they can with little training and limited resources. Dr. Fred Smith will ask the how question to faith-based leaders. How can we in the faith community work together to impact our community both from a human capital and financial perspective? Should more of an effort be made to focus on one area or neighborhood to maximize impact? Are we looking around to make sure that what we are doing is not duplicative or that we are not missing the involvement of another faith entity that could strengthen our efforts?

These are very compelling questions and should result in a lively discussion by area faith leaders. There are no easy answers to solving community problems. We are all well intended and hopeful of impact and success. I am very thankful that we are going to have this type of discussion. Religious leaders are so important to our community and our society and the role their institutions play now and in the future is critical to community improvement.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Let's be Realistic about Expenses for Nonprofits

2009-10-02T11:26:00.000-04:00

I often talk to nonprofit organizations about the fact that they are all being held to a higher standard and rightfully so. They are dealing with funds that have been entrusted to them by a cadre of donors that have invested in their organization’s work. Along with that are certain standards and expectations that require a nonprofit to not only succeed in accomplishing their mission, but to succeed with extreme efficiency. My question becomes, “Is this a realistic expectation in today’s tough economy, where dollars are very hard to come by?”

The standard I am speaking about is the long established 20/80 ratio where no more than 20% of a dollar should go for fund raising, management and administrative costs and no less than 80% should go for programs and related services. In a perfect world, these are ambitious numbers and certainly demonstrate the kind of efficiencies we want and expect from a nonprofit organization. However, when times are tough and dollars are hard to come by, it may require organizations to spend more on infrastructure because they have less money to work with. In other words, keeping a program director in place to deliver services to children or keeping your bookkeeper in place to manage your systems more efficiently are necessary but may hold your costs higher and, therefore, outside the normal 20/80 ratio.

I understand this completely and I ask that we reconsider this expectation and as a fair comprise, perhaps, look at it on a three year or five year average basis. It is not unusual that ‘for profit” businesses, which are in business to make money, operate on much thinner margins and with less profit. Some grocery store chains are extremely pleased when they hit a 95/5 ratio at the end of the month. Yes, that means 95% cost to make a 5% profit.

So right now, I don’t think it is unreasonable at all to allow nonprofits to have a 30/70 or even 35/65 ratio with operating costs to program costs. We need to be sensitive and flexible with the rules at this time. I am all for accountability and efficiently run organizations but I am also a realist when it comes to making sure services are delivered by a competent and dedicated staff, recognizing that most of these organizations are being run by underpaid and overworked people. Now is the time for us to help organizations succeed and to also be pragmatic about what we expect. I truly believe the next few years will be extremely tough on the nonprofit sector and, therefore, I am willing to cut them some slack when it comes to costs. It may be the only way organizations can survive, can get the job done and get their mission accomplished and we very much need to be in tune with that situation.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

We Have a Real Chance to Influence Change Now

2009-09-15T09:21:00.000-04:00

In philanthropy, as we look at our sphere of influence in society today it has a wide range of entry points. Foundations are called upon to make important and tactical decisions every day. These decisions often have influence on multiple people and organizations. A great many of these decisions are internal and are based on a program, process or an initiative or an intentional direction that a foundation is headed. Boards and staff decide on size and types of grants that are awarded, a process and decision around strategy, how much to invest in program evaluation, how much to invest in communications, etc.

The sphere of influence, referenced earlier, is changing for foundations and it should be. Philanthropy is a significant contributor to communities and to society as a whole and, therefore, has a major stake in how we effect community change. So do a lot of other entities such as government, business, schools, hospitals and various other organizations. If foundations are not looking for ways to influence thinking around issues that can impact their community, region and state, then they are missing an important dimension of their work and an opportunity to get to necessary change.

For example, if a decision is being made by a municipality that will move homeless people 10 miles out of town without adequate transportation and they become isolated, shouldn’t we speak up? It is our job to look at all the issues that affect society and, in particular, see how decisions are going to affect those indigent and low-income people. Alone, these members of society do not have the power or voice to influence the decision makers.

Furthermore, decision makers are often influenced by non objective outsiders that have a vested interest in the outcome of the decision, preventing this influence from being pure and unbiased. Foundations should be objective, and their resources and connections should position them to ask difficult questions and to demand “the little guy” gets his just due in the process.

Whether we are asking tough questions of government, business or other people of influence within our societal sphere, we must step forward and be willing to play a role. Philanthropy has a lot of responsibility and it wields a significant amount of power and influence. It is our responsibility to use that influence for the greater good and let our external opportunities be just as important as our internal decision making. Foundations can no longer live and work in isolation. What we do and what needs to be done reaches far beyond the walls of our office and local town or city. Now is the time for all foundations to step forward and advocate for their grantees, constituents and those in the greatest need. If we don’t aggressively move in this direction then shame on us when the outcome is not to our liking and negatively impacts our state.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Foundations Can’t Live in a Vacuum

2009-09-02T12:11:00.000-04:00

Philanthropy is often perceived as the all knowing, all deciding sector that can really change the world through strategic decision making and private funding. Foundations have high expectations of grantees including measurable outcomes and the desire for a realistic sustainability plan. However, I am not sure foundations do a good enough job of really surveying the landscape and understanding the depth and breadth of the nonprofit community and, more specifically, the organizations they fund.

Do we really know what other funders are doing for an organization that we fund and do those funds compliment what we are funding or does it work in contrast to what we are funding? It is a deeper question than most foundations won’t necessarily want to tackle, but I believe it is an important one. As an investor in the nonprofit world, we must do everything within our power to protect our investment, clearly understand the pathology of the organization we are invested in and measure our success to insure our investment is providing the return that we expect and deserve.

Long gone are the days when foundations could put money out in the community with the hope that something good happened. With the tough economy and dwindling resources, we are forced to be more focused and intentional with our grants and decision making. This has never been more apparent to me than now as we work on the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina’s Strategic Plan for the future. It requires us to maximize and leverage our funds, have a knowledge based approach to decision making and information sharing and it requires us to do a smaller number of things well. It did not have to be that way ten years ago but it has to be that way today.

Part of the equation is to have our own plan and strategies in place to insure that we know where we are going, but we must also understand the plan and strategies of our nonprofit partners. Where are they going? Do they have the resources to get there? Do they have the infrastructure to take them there? Are we on the same page as other funders or are the investments totally different and possibly contributing to the nonprofit’s organizational schizophrenia?

Our recent hiring of a full time senior research and evaluation director should tell you a lot about where we are headed. Success and failure are measured all the time. It is measured in the classroom, board room, ball fields and in our own personal performance evaluations. We, as a Foundation, are going to measure it more and understand it better. But, we should not live in a vacuum. We must also understand our nonprofit partners and know where they are going and who is helping them get there. If not, we are merely exacerbating the problem and enabling organizational ambiguity. This is not the time for anyone to be doing that.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Health Care Thoughts

2009-08-19T10:15:00.000-04:00

The ongoing debate around access to health care continues. People have become vocal with varying opinions and emotions are running high. I will be the first to say that I don’t think we need huge government and I don’t know how we are going to pay for a lot of what has already been spent via the recent bailout of several financial institutions. However, there are people in this country─some poor and some who simply have unusual circumstances─that need access to health care. They need it because they are sick or suffering.

I recently heard a story about a 59-year-old construction worker who could no longer work due to bad knees. He could barely stand. When he visited a Federally Qualified Health Center, the doctors worked with him. The treatment: give him pain medication until he reaches the age to qualify for Medicare; then, he can get the two knee replacements he needs. So for the next few years, this gentleman is going to suffer in pain, struggling to walk and he will wait. Guess what? He is waiting for government senior care to kick in.

What a sad commentary for a country with supposedly the best health care in the world. We may have the best health care but it says a lot about our system when these types of scenarios occur. Insurance companies are unhappy, doctors are unhappy and pharmaceutical companies are unhappy. Why? Because it threatens their bottom line and it weakens their market share and they will make less money, pure and simple. If I were a doctor or a big insurance company executive, I might not like that either.

However, health care should not be a privilege but a human right. People were put on this earth through no decision that involved them, and everyone’s health should be something we all care about – mine and yours. Right now, our uninsured are wandering into hospital emergency rooms and seeking assistance where medical care is at its highest cost. Hospitals are then forced to write off the expense and those that are insured end up paying more. What is right about that system?

I do not know what the answer is and do not profess to be a health care expert by any stretch of the imagination. However, as caring and compassionate human beings, we need to do some serious thinking about what is the “right thing to do.” Families are struggling through tough economic times and so are businesses. We don’t need bigger government, but we do need a plan that will allow any human being on this earth the opportunity to have or buy health care and not break the budget doing it. Cut through all the spin, scare tactics and opinions and this should be where we end up. Life is filled with challenges and sacrifices. People’s health should not be number one on the sacrifice list, particularly if your wallet is really thin. It’s just not right.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina.

Foundations Must Strike Balance

2009-08-05T11:30:00.001-04:00

Foundations must find a way to create balance during difficult economic times. It is without question that all foundation assets are down significantly since mid 2008. It was an unavoidable consequence of the U.S. economic downturn. Here is the dilemma. Should foundations spend into their corpus to maintain a consistent spending level when they know their assets have dropped by several million dollars? This is where the balance part comes into play.

Foundations have to spend into the corpus at some level but cannot afford to spend too much and, as a result, put the foundation’s long-term viability at risk. If a foundation is going to survive and thrive for decades to come, then it must be realistic and pragmatic about its funding decisions. On the other hand, nonprofit organizations cannot be left “high and dry.” Thus, foundations are finding creative ways to provide some funds─albeit reduced─and also provide other services to enhance the work of nonprofit organizations and their leaders. An example of these supplementary services is the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina Learning Academy’s leadership tract, offering nonprofit executive directors graduate-level training and credit in effective leadership strategies, and its forthcoming distance learning opportunities throughout the state.

Foundations have to partner too. The Sisters of Charity Foundation collaborates with the South Carolina Department of Social Services, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia College, Columbia Chamber of Commerce, United Way of the Midlands and the Central Carolina Community Foundation. The two latter partners and the Foundation are working to leverage a Bank of America grant to assist and address issues around the merging of struggling and failing nonprofits.

It is certain that our Foundation’s available grant funds will be less in 2010 than they were in 2009. However, through creativity and balance we plan to accomplish as much or more than ever next year. Through capacity building, listening sessions, knowledge sharing, distance learning opportunities, social media and other communications tools and more workshops for nonprofit staff and volunteers, we will make an impact next year. This is all in addition to the grant funds that we will still distribute. Though, fewer funds will force us to be more focused and have even higher expectations and a higher level of confidence in our potential grantees.

We must continue to be willing to shift out of our own comfort zone and capture opportunities in a new and different way. There is a fine line for foundations between protecting their existence and accomplishing their mission. The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina and other foundations must be proactive and strike the perfect balance between our missions and long-term survival. We understand the complexities of this situation and that a lot of other people and organizations are effected by our decisions. The Sisters of Charity Foundation will continue to be a foundation of mission and purpose. That is our first and most important priority. Survival is important too, and we are putting the necessary tools in place to insure that a fine balance is reached both for 2010 and long into the future.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Advice that May Help Achieve Nonprofit Success in the Remainder of 2009

2009-07-22T10:05:00.000-04:00

In speaking with several nonprofit executives over the past few months, it is evident that nonprofit organizations, as are others, are still struggling. Money is really tight and fund raising is down. As we hit the halfway point for the year, many organizations are facing the reality that this is not going to be a successful year and certain changes are going to be necessary. Some of these changes may include staff layoffs, downsizing of office space, reducing or eradicating projects that involve printing and mailing costs and eliminating travel, conferences, training and other opportunities that would enhance the organization. I will share what I believe are important elements for surviving these difficult economic times.

• Go back to your core annual donors (both present and lapsed) and ask them to support you again. If the ask was made through an annual donor letter campaign in the past, you may want to make a personal phone call this time. Who knows, a $100 gift might turn into a larger gift if you have an opportunity to explain your circumstances.

• You should already have personal contact with your major gift donors, but I would use the same approach. If they gave $5000 last year or in previous years, have a frank conversation with them about your situation. It may help shore up the same amount of the previous gift or even secure a larger gift. But you need to walk away with something from these core supporters.

• Explore partnerships that may involve government dollars. There are a lot of funds are out there through the federal government and they are from a variety of sources. There is stimulus money, faith-based funds and other sources through various governmental agencies. Learn about these opportunities and see if there is a good fit for your organization. Do your homework and find a partner if that is what it takes.

• Build relationships with foundations whose mission coincides with your mission. Let them hear from you and learn about you. Communicate throughout the year and not only when you are seeking funding. A foundation feels much more comfortable providing funds to an organization it knows and trusts.

• Push your board and other internal stakeholders to give and to help obtain funds. They are as close as anybody to your mission. Fund raising should never be a complete staff function, but staff can facilitate ways for others to find donors. I would start with your board.

The economic climate is troublesome and there are many external factors that are affecting success, but make sure you are doing everything you can with your organization’s internal decisions and strategies. The year is only half over and there is still time to have some successes in the second half of the year. Good luck with your efforts.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina.

Compassion

2009-07-08T14:00:00.000-04:00

The fifth and last core value of the Sisters of Charity Health System and the Foundation is compassion. I saved it for last, because compassion is at the very essence of every single thing we do as a ministry. It is an awareness and understanding of the human pain and suffering of others and the desire to do something about it.

I believe that each of us has a sense of compassion. The extent of a person’s compassion varies from individual to individual. In the Bible, God demonstrates his compassion and graciousness in scripture. For example, in Psalm 145:8 and Isaiah 54:8 reference is given to God’s everlasting kindness for each one of us. One of God’s greatest messages to us is that he is compassionate and he expects us to be compassionate as well.

Compassion is a human quality that is divinely inspired. When we see someone that is in distress and we feel their pain as if it were our own and strive to eliminate or lessen it, then this is compassion. Compassion also comes out of having a true understanding of one’s self. We can really see the needs of others more clearly when we truly understand ourselves and can apply that understanding in a compassionate and unselfish way.

I see compassion for the sick and suffering in our hospitals. I see it through our outreach ministries to help low-income fathers and uninsured children. I see it through the work in our Foundation as we reach out to help the poor and underserved of all ages and in every community.

In the New Testament, there is the parable of the Good Samaritan. He happened by a man who had been beaten by robbers. The man was hurt and was avoided by two religious men who walked on the other side of the street. Along came a common man who cared for him and tended to his wounds.

We see those suffering every day in our own lives. Seeing suffering and acting on it are two different things. I feel like we all have the capacity to be compassionate in both big ways and small ways and, to me, it really does not matter which way you choose. What matters, is recognizing the need that someone else has and acting upon that need with whatever means you have.

The best thing of all is that compassion for others is free of charge. It does not cost one single penny to act compassionately towards someone or in some situation. I have been blessed to work with compassionate Sisters and fellow servant leaders. Compassion is one of our core values and it is at the root of all of our work every day.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Collaboration

2009-06-24T16:19:00.000-04:00

Collaboration is another core value of the Sisters of Charity and the Foundation. The definition for collaboration is pretty basic. It is to work with others to achieve a common goal.

When I was in Boy Scouts we had a “tug of war” contest. There were eight guys on one side, eight on the other and a huge mud pit in the middle. When the contest began, the pulling began. I was on the front of the team and I became acutely aware of the muddy pit only a few feet in front of me. I yelled back to my team members to pull harder. One guy on our team was bigger and stronger than the rest of us. He gave a big heave and that was all it took. The guys on the other side lurched forward and half of them plunged into the mud pit, much to our delight.

It was my first known experience where collaboration was pretty clear to me. I could not have done this task alone but with seven other guys helping me pull in one direction, the mission was easier and it was more achievable. This same concept can be applied to so many other things. For example, I have witnessed hundreds of volunteers clean an entire town in one day by working together picking up trash.

When foundations and other organizations collaborate, several things occur. It gives you added human capacity, it gives additional financial resources and it also gives focus to a bigger goal that will better the community. This has also been accomplished through partnerships with business and government.

Collaboration is a great concept but it is not always easy to implement. It requires flexibility, group thinking, a willingness to give up control and a belief that the “greater good” will benefit from multiple partners. Collaboration really works when we become less about territory and more about opportunity.

I have seen more and more nonprofit organizations willing to collaborate during these difficult economic times. It makes sense financially, organizationally and some times it can be the only way they will sustain themselves and survive over the long run. With philanthropic dollars as scarce as we have ever seen, collaboration is a “must” in today’s nonprofit world.

We must be willing to put our own self interests aside and find common ground that will benefit more people and communities. It is not only the way to survive this economic storm, but it is the right thing to do and the right time to do it.

Collaboration is an important core value of the Foundation and the Sisters of Charity Health System as a whole. It is basically working together to maximize your potential to meet your mission and goals. Here is hoping we can find new ways to all work together collaboratively both now and in the future.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Father's Day: Engaged and Active Fathers Are Invaluable

2009-06-21T08:30:00.000-04:00

Today marks a little known or celebrated 100th anniversary. In 1909, a woman named Sonora Dodd in Spokane, Wash., was listening to her preacher’s sermon about the importance of honoring Mother's Day. Although she agreed it was an important day, she felt it unfair that no recognition was given to fathers. After Sonora's mother died, it was her father who made the big sacrifices in her life. He was the one who made sure she had food on the table, warm clothes to wear and that she said her nightly prayers. Why then, she wondered, were fathers not being honored in the same fashion?

Sonora began her life's mission to see that fathers received the same recognition as mothers for making the necessary sacrifices for their children. She began having a father’s day celebration during June, her birth month, every year thereafter in Spokane. But, it was not until 1972 (63 years later) that a permanent national observance of Father's Day on the third Sunday of June was established.

Today, we need to ask a similar question as the one posed by Sonora 100 years ago. Why is it that the importance of having an engaged and active father remains largely devalued and unrecognized? While Sonora’s father was loving and attentive, many fathers today are not so involved. Father absence has dramatically increased since the 1960’s. More children are living today in father absent households than during the height of World War II. Research clearly reveals that father absence has significant negative consequences for children, including child poverty. Society and taxpayers pay a tremendous price as well. Because many disregard a father’s worth and fewer people reach out to them, support for fathers is spotty and underfunded throughout our nation.

However, progress is being made in South Carolina. The Sisters of Charity Foundation has invested more than $16.5 million to support advocacy and fatherhood programs in South Carolina over the past ten years. The South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families, an outgrowth of this initiative, supports six fatherhood programs in 12 locations across the state and serves more than 1,500 low-income fathers who want to become great dads. Fathers receive guidance, support, information and resources. They earn respect and are respected.

Support for these programs is worthwhile. They save taxpayers money and change lives. Not just for this generation but for our future generations. We can not afford to wait 50 or 100 more years to prioritize this issue that impacts us all. Yes all of us. Join Sonora’s legacy, the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina, the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families and countless other partners who are working to recognize and reach out to fathers. Let your voice be heard. For more information about the Fatherhood Initiative, visit the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families or the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina Web site.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Justice

2009-06-10T09:46:00.000-04:00

Another core value of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine and the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina is justice. Justice is so important and it is certainly subject to different interpretations and meanings. To me, every issue we encounter deals with ethics and comes under the notion of justice. Justice is a set of principles which guide others in determining what is right and what is wrong no matter what culture we live in. It is to elevate the dignity of each and every human person.

At the Foundation, we work with the underserved population. Many are homeless, most have no health insurance, thousands are in need of food and an unimaginable number attend dilapidated schools that are inadequate for learning. We find ourselves living in a world where there is a huge disparity between those who have life’s necessities to live and succeed and those who do not. The core question around justice is, “Do I have a responsibility to others who have less than me and cannot take care of themselves or their families?” My answer is, “Yes.”

Social justice provides the very foundation for a healthy community. It grows out of a sense that each individual person in our society has value. Only as we realize the value and dignity of each individual person can we build a healthy community. This can be a slow process of learning and growing. To help the process along we develop attitudes of respect for one another regardless of where they rest on the socio-economic scale.

Isn’t justice about helping every person realize their full human potential? Shouldn’t we reward people in our society for being loving and caring, ethical, kind and generous? We have systems in place that are suppose to address justice issues but frankly, they just “scratch the surface” towards solving problems around justice and fairness.

Each one of us can make a difference, even if it is in a small way. I believe that social justice imposes on each individual a personal responsibility to help one another. In the end, we are not going to be judged by how many houses, cars and clothes we own or how much money is in our bank accounts. Our individual legacy will be measured by what we have done to make a difference in the lives of others and, in particular, those who cannot make it on their own.

When I think about justice as a core value, I believe it is one of the most difficult to affect and it is one of the most important values. Look around; make yourself aware of the injustices that occur in our society everyday. Then ask yourself, “What can I do to help?” Isn’t that really what matters in the long run?

Tom Keith is is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Courage

2009-05-27T09:41:00.000-04:00

Another core value of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine and the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina is Courage. It is an important value because, to me, it is about always standing behind your mission, purpose and beliefs.

I remember watching the movie “12 Angry Men” with Henry Fonda. It is an old movie but it has a great message. It tells the story of one juror who had the courage to stand up against all of the other jurors who wanted to convict a man. The reasons they wanted to convict varied and their reasons appeared self-serving. Some of the jurors were missing work, some were late for an appointment and some thought the room was too hot because of no air conditioning. Others had perceived biases that tainted their objectivity. For example, the young man on trial was Hispanic and one juror had had a bad experience with a Hispanic person in the past and was, therefore, prejudice. Henry Fonda’s character not only showed the courage to stand alone with his vote of not guilty, but he was able to point out the weaknesses in the arguments of the other jurors. He stood by his convictions, beliefs and principles and had the courage to go against the majority. In the end, justice was served and the man was found not guilty, in large part due to Fonda’s character’s courage.

We all face difficulties in our lives and what sets people with courage apart from others is fortitude. Often courage requires risk because the outcome could be harmful. God gives us all many gifts and he allows us to use those gifts when ever possible.

So what does courage mean? Courage is doing the right thing when the wrong thing seems to produce better results. Courage is looking past yourself and dedicating your energy to the betterment of mankind. Courage is the ability to set aside all your disappointments and still be able to open your heart and mind to others and give them your all. Courage is the ability to say I was wrong and I am sorry. Courage is doing something difficult, and even dangerous, selflessly. Courage is grace under pressure and humility out of honor. Courage is knowing what not to fear.

Lastly, courage is standing for your principles and beliefs regardless of the obstacles and barriers that are put before you. Courage is an important core value and something that lies within every single one of us.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina.

Respect

2009-05-14T08:40:00.000-04:00

One of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina’s core values is respect. I would like to share with you what respect means to me as one who works in Foundation Ministry.

Respect is a culture here at the Foundation. It is something that every single person expresses to every other person in this office. It starts here each day with our staff and board members. It is a mutual respect and understanding about fulfilling the mission of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine and addressing generational poverty. It is reflected in our relationship with nonprofit and faith-based organizations. We want them to know that each of them has value of purpose and that each one, regardless of the size of the organization, location or funding amount awarded, will be treated fairly and equally. We also respect each individual regardless of race, religion, age, gender, etc.

We respect each grantee after they are funded and work diligently to build confidence and trust. We are also respectful of the beneficiaries of the services provided by our grantees. These are the individuals that are living in poor neighborhoods or communities that are dealing with a wide array of issues on a daily basis. Our intent is to always keep the children and families in our thoughts and prayers daily and to never lose sight of the goal. We also realize that many of these individuals feel hopeless or compromised and deserve the respect of each of us individually and of the Foundation organizationally.

We are in the business of helping others less fortunate and the first step in helping is giving others the respect they deserve. The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina is far from perfect and we learn new things every day. God has blessed us with an opportunity to make a difference and we do not take that responsibility lightly.

The core value of respect is one of the most important values we have because it exemplifies who we are and how we operate. Through respect we engage, teach, listen, learn, support and adapt. Respect matters and it matters not just once in awhile; it matters always and it matters in every single situation. We fulfill our mission as a Foundation in a multitude of ways and at the forefront of that work is our unwavering respect for every single person we meet. It sounds simple, but it may be the most important thing we can do for others.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Thinking About Mother

2009-05-07T11:43:00.001-04:00

I think Mother’s Day is one of the best days of the year. For me, it is a time to celebrate my own mother’s contributions to my life and reflect on the wonderful memories of the past. My mom is elderly and in poor health, but she lives nearby and we can visit on a regular basis. I see her almost every day and she is still my biggest fan and my biggest critic. With mom, there is no sugar coating. If you have circles under your eyes, you are going to hear about it. If you have on a snazzy tie, you will get a compliment. If you have gained a little weight, she will bring it to your attention. I love that about mom. It is pure honesty.

The other day, mom said to me, “You still love me a lot don’t you?” I replied, “I can’t believe you asked me that question mom, of course I love you with all my heart.” She grinned and said, “Just checking.” Then, I asked her, “Do you still love me?” and she said, “Oh my goodness, more than tongue can tell.” I had never heard that expression before but it really made me feel good.

I have wonderful memories of mom in our hometown in West Virginia. She always wore an apron in the kitchen and was always cooking something for us. She was a faithful member of the local Baptist Church. She taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and served on several boards and committees. My mom has lived her faith in her daily life as well as anyone. She had a job in the local bank that positioned her in the middle of the lobby. She greeted every single person who came into the bank with a smile and a warm welcome. I still have people come up to me today and tell me how much mom influenced their lives. She supported them through a divorce or gave them advice during a pregnancy or was just there to listen when people needed to talk. That is a great quality-listening, and mom has always been a great listener. She nursed my wounds both inside and out and I went off into the world a much better person because of her.

As we celebrate Mother’s Day, we celebrate a bond like no other. Our moms birthed us and cared for us, raised us and sent us out into the world. I am blessed to still have my mother as part of my life. There is no one else like her and there never will be. I wish a Happy Mother’s Day to every mother out there. You deserve this special day.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Ethics are Important in Nonprofits

2009-04-29T13:44:00.000-04:00

Ethics are extremely important in nonprofit organizations and for many different reasons. The challenges facing nonprofits today is greater than ever before. This is true with financial, operational and organizational issues. Ethical dilemmas face nonprofits in all three of these areas.

Recently, the United Way of Charlotte was placed under the microscope when the board’s executive committee, unbeknownst to many of the other board members, took nearly $1 million of donor funds and placed it in the retirement account of the CEO. Their explanation was that it was to make up for past commitments. The outcome of this dilemma was not pretty. The chairman of the board and several trustees resigned. The public relations fall out to the United Way of Charlotte was devastating. Their financial campaign was significantly down from the previous year, and the CEO was forced to resign and has since sued the United Way for wrongful termination.

Could this all have been avoided? Yes. First of all, there should be full disclosure among all board members. A commitment of this nature was the first mistake made by the board of trustees. You don’t want to promise things that you will have to pay for later, particularly if it involves a lump sum of nearly $1 million. If a commitment was made to the CEO then an equitable plan should be devised that is fair to the donors, fair to the CEO and protective of the reputation of the United Way.

Trustees are as responsible as staff for the health and well-being of a nonprofit. There should be a code of ethics, conflict of interest statements signed by every board member and other checks and balances in place to protect the integrity of the organization. In addition, the board should appoint a committee to monitor the board’s performance and behavior.

Every nonprofit is beholding to the public trust. When they accept a donation or grant from an individual or group, they have a fiduciary responsibility to protect these funds and use it for its mission and purpose. When one nonprofit falters then it has a very negative impact on other nonprofit organizations in that community. It is without question that nonprofit are, and should be, held to a higher standard. It is the role of the board and staff to insure that protective measures are put in place and certain standards are met continuously. Anything less is a recipe for problems which need to be avoided at all costs.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

Prayer

2009-04-15T11:45:00.000-04:00

Ever since I got on my knees as a youngster and prayed before going to sleep, I have wondered about and witnessed prayer. The power of prayer can often go unnoticed in our every day lives. It is prayer that gives us a sense of comfort, a sense of hope and a feeling of God’s hand and spirit in our lives.

By sharing our feelings through prayer, we open our hearts to God with a spiritual conversation. To me, it is like talking to a family member in the same room. “Hey God, I have a heavy burden and I need to share it with you.” I want to pray not only when prayer is needed but when prayer is a form of sharing and expressing. When my son leaves to drive back to Atlanta, I pray for him. When I visit my Mother in the retirement home, I pray for her. Prayer has become a daily activity and necessity. The day does not feel complete without it.

Whether you pray alone or pray out loud in a group, it is such a valuable message to God. It connects our lives with God’s purpose for us. We often ask for guidance, wisdom, understanding, healing, patience and gratefulness. It is important to me to always thank God for his presence in our lives and for the many gifts he has given me and my family. Sometimes I feel like I am on life’s treadmill and the machine is going faster and faster and it is difficult to keep up. But it helps to take the time to reflect, meditate and pray.

Prayer may be the best stress reliever we have. What prayer can do for our physical, mental and emotional health is pretty astounding not to mention our spiritual health. Many times my prayers are not very eloquent or even not well thought out. But, the fact that they are heartfelt and well-intended gives me comfort and, I believe, is just fine with God.

I think that prayer is the great connector. We have an opportunity to praise God for his goodness, to ask for his forgiveness, to pray for someone in need, to forgive us of our sins, thank him for the gifts he has given us and to keep us safe. Whatever the reason, God is there for us and is always ready to listen.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina.

What is the profile of today's leader?

2009-03-23T09:16:00.000-04:00

The discussion around leadership and what it takes to be a good leader occurs every single day. What are the qualities and expectations of today’s leaders verse those in the past?

First, we must recognize that we live in a very different world today. There are many challenges facing today’s leaders that were not “in play” even five years ago. Jobs are being outsourced, technology and information are instantly accessible and competition is no longer “down the street,” but it is worldwide.

So, leaders today in both the nonprofit and for profit sector have to deal with a lot of variables. For example, raising money or making revenue on the Internet has become a fascinating phenomenon. Leaders have to be much more sophisticated and technologically savvy individuals.

However, leaders today do not have to be a lot different in other ways. There are certain core qualities that are needed to be a successful leader no matter where you are leading and what decade you are leading in.

Here are my top ten core qualities of a leader of an organization:

1. Leaders must build trust with their staff and board or they will never be able to lead at the maximum level.

2. Leaders must be extraordinary communicators. They must communicate effectively with individuals, internal and external stakeholders.

3. Leaders should be humble leaders and, as my grandmother would say, never get “too big for their britches.” Lead by example and knowledge and not by using a heavy hand. Always be fair and sensitive to others.

4. A leader does not spend his or her time being consumed with managing processes and systems. That is management. A leader sees the big picture and provides the strategic thinking needed to take the organization to a different level.

5. Leadership is a combination of ever changing and moving parts. A leader must be flexible, adaptable and accepting of change.

6. A good leader does not have all the answers. There are a lot of great ideas and bright minds that can give great advice and make useful suggestions.

7. A good leader must be willing to get down in the trenches and understand the organization from the ground up. There should be no job too big or too small for a good leader.

8. A good leader should be consistent in their demeanor, attitude and style.

9. A good leader needs to be a good listener. We all grow from listening and learning, no matter who is talking.

10. The leader must always be unselfish and put the mission first. It should never be about the individual leader but that leader is a conduit to success within the overall organization.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina.

Wisdom

2009-03-05T10:31:00.000-05:00

As I think about the “doom and gloom” that faces all of us today, I ask myself “what went wrong?” We find ourselves in such a complicated mess that I think the answer to this question is unachievable, at least, in a single response.

To me, it is a combination of many things that has put this nation, our economy and our future at risk. Furthermore, there is an overarching theme that can apply to the problems that have occurred.

“We have lost our moral compass and our wisdom.” We have become a self-centered, greedy and “instant gratification” society and we are now paying the price for it. It starts in our families and transcends into our schools, businesses, government and financial markets. Moreover, I don’t think we as a society, both individually and collectively, are a bit happier today because of our narcissism. I think we are more frustrated and less satisfied. I think we have created a society full of segregated egos and self-indulgence that overshadows the good things people do in society, and there are many people doing good things. And though there are plenty of these wonderful altruistic people in the world, it seems they are in the minority today.

So what is our moral compass? It is the God given wisdom and virtues that each of us possess in our hearts, minds and souls. It is starting every single day not thinking about what I am going to do for myself but what difference can I make in the world in which I live. Can it be that simple? Well, if we all get up tomorrow and our goal is to be honest, unselfish, virtuous, collaborative and sensitive, would it be different than how we viewed our day today? I say “yes.”

I also think if we were a society of people and not things we would be better off. We have become a people of computers, Blackberry’s, cell phones, video games, I-Pods, Tom-Toms, laptops, etc., and I don’t think it has made us any wiser or more moral. I wish we were more about talking face-to-face with people and making more of an effort to simply listen and interact with others “live and in person.” We are a smarter and more sophisticated society today with access to information instantly, but are we wiser? I am not sure that we are.

We must prioritize our lives and make it important to spend quality time with our families, help our neighbors and fellow citizens and do the right thing for others--even if it means personal sacrifice. I believe it is the only real way we will truly recover from the mess we are in. We must be willing to sacrifice and get away from our self-serving greedy attitudes. If we don’t, I truly believe we can expect, and maybe deserve, more doom and gloom in the future.

It is the wisdom and sensibility that exists in each of us that can guide us through these difficult times and make all of our lives more meaningful and, yes, happier.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina.

Outlying USC Campuses Are Important to Our Future

2009-02-23T10:13:00.000-05:00

The recent discussion regarding the closing of some of our outlying University of South Carolina campuses such as Lancaster and Salkehatchie concerns me. It is pretty easy to put a financial number on a facility and determine that by cutting back or closing it money is saved. I think the real issue here is what a decision of this magnitude will have on those communities and on the young people who reside in or near those communities.

When you look at rural South Carolina where poverty runs rampant, it is a whole different scenario than here in the capital city. There are very few educational options for students beyond high school. Many who live in Allendale and other outlying communities are the first in their families to ever attend college. I recently heard USC President Dr. Harris Pastides say that the gap between no college education and a two-year college degree is monumental. It can mean the difference between a job with growth potential, a retirement plan and health benefits versus a job that pays a minimum hourly wage with no benefits and a very limited future for growth.

With only 23% of the adult population in South Carolina, 18 years and older, having earned a four-year degree, having higher education attainable for these residents is a must. These schools give local students a hope for a better future and an opportunity for a better education right in the community where they reside. This is true not only for high school students, but also for younger students in elementary school. It gives them something tangible to strive for as a student. However, the chances of those same students enrolling in the Columbia campus or traveling 50 miles to the closest technical college are slim at best.

In addition, the influence of these schools goes beyond the classroom and earning degrees. They better the community through their libraries, cultural performances and programs to engage and enhance the residents. These schools bring communities together.

Even though we are going through tough economic times, let’s not throw the proverbial baby out with the bath water. Higher education is the stepping stone for our future workforce and yes, our future economy. Public education in South Carolina has been dismal for years, and I applaud the work of State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex’s effort to raise quality and overall standards for students so they can learn in a better environment and learn from teachers that have all the tools necessary to teach effectively.

But to now reduce the opportunities for extended education beyond high school, particularly in low-income communities, would be a mistake. We have to be sensible with our resources, and I realize that tough decisions must be made in state government with regard to costs and budget shortfalls. However, the last thing I would do is close any college campus in an outlying area. The minimal savings (less than 1% of the state’s higher education budget) that would occur would pale in comparison to the devastation it would have on these rural communities, and it will send a strong message to its young residents and also older working residents that want to go back and continue their education. “We don’t think getting an education beyond high school is that important.”

We already have one corridor of shame with our public schools in the I-95 corridor. Let’s not create a second corridor of shame for higher education, because to me, it will truly mean we are headed in the wrong direction.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina.

The One Grant

2009-02-12T16:41:00.000-05:00

Since the Foundation’s inception in 1996, there have been over 1,300 grant awards made to hundreds of organizations across South Carolina. Actually, the Foundation has awarded grants in every single county in the state. There have been very large grants and very small grants. Some have served large populations and some have served a small group of people. Several have been very strategic and systemic and others have been to deal with consequences and meeting basic needs of those living in poverty.

I have often been asked which grant made the biggest impact on me personally. That is a difficult question because so many good people are doing tremendous work and I value the hundreds and hundreds of nonprofit organizations and their people who serve others. It is one of the most rewarding parts of our Foundation ministry to me.

But back to the question about one grant. Well, yes there is one grant and grantee that changed my life in an instant. It came unexpectedly and it came quickly.

Back in the late 1990’s, I had a call from the mayor of Ravenel, South Carolina. Ravenel is a small town about 15 miles south of Charleston on Highway 17, also known as Savannah Highway. There is not much to see in Ravenel and most people see it by passing through it on their way to Charleston. The mayor told me about a lady named Claudia Bing who ran a small nonprofit called Caregivers for Individuals with Disabilities and she thought I should visit Ms. Bing to learn more about her work.

I had to be in Charleston the next week so I made arrangements to travel to Ravenel. I did not know what to expect and I wondered if this was going to be a worthwhile trip. The directions I was given was to go to Ravenel and look for the fireworks store in the middle of town on Highway 17, then drive behind the fireworks store to a double-wide mobile home. That is where I would find Ms. Bing. I followed the directions and sure enough I found the location.

It was a modest standard double-wide. As I parked and walked up to the house, I noticed a wheelchair ramp and a van with a lift. I also saw a couple of oxygen tanks on the wooden porch at the entrance. I knocked on the door and Ms. Bing greeted me.

Ms. Bing is a soft spoken older African-American lady and she welcomed me into her home. The first thing I saw was a younger white female in a wheelchair. I then saw another young man also in a wheelchair who was severely handicapped. There was another young adult in a hospital bed and he was very ill. I did not know what to think. I asked Ms. Bing, “What do you do here and what is your ministry?”

Ms. Bing replied, “I care for dying children. These are children that nobody else wants because they have terminal illnesses and have fallen through the foster care system, orphanages, etc. They have no family that wants them.”

I was speechless. Ms. Bing then took me by the hand and led me to her living room where there was a large framed picture collage. It had about 30 pictures in it. She said, “These are my children that I cared for that have passed on.” She began to name them one by one. “This was Cynthia; she was with me for 14 months and died of leukemia. This is Jason; he was with me for three years and died of brain cancer. This was Lawrence; he was with me for two years and died of cystic fibrosis.” She went through each picture one by one and told me their story.

I was beyond overwhelmed by this point. I asked Ms. Bing, “Why do you do this? Isn’t the pain of dealing with a child who is terminally ill a terrible thing and here you are by yourself carrying this heavy load? Tell me why?”

I will never forget her words. Ms. Bing looked me straight in the eye and said, “This is not hard at all. This is my calling. God has given me a gift and I am using it to my full ability. I don’t have a lot of money or material things but I do have a lot of love and I give it each and every day.” She went on to say, “my mission is to love these children and make them feel loved and when it is their time to pass, I will hand each one of them off to God and they will have been loved, valued, blessed and cared for. That is what I do.”

I left Claudia Bing’s home that day a different person. She had just taught me some of the most valuable lessons in life in a single hour. It was real clear and real simple to me. Claudia Bing was one of the richest people I had ever met and for all the right reasons. She received a grant from the Foundation and that is the one grant that changed my life the most.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina.

Now What?

2009-02-04T17:05:00.001-05:00

A plant near my hometown closed today. Nearly 700 jobs lost in an instant. The plant had been operating in the community for over 50 years. Now it is gone forever. What does it do to that community of 3,000 people? It does everything to it and none of it is good. The repercussions will include store closings, home foreclosures, default on personal loans, long unemployment lines and an overall community that will be devastated beyond recognition. Worse than that, this is just one community in one small state. If you multiply this situation times 1,000 then you get a better picture of what is happening.

We are in deep trouble in this country and it is not getting better in the foreseeable future. Can the government resolve our problems with stimulus money? It may help some, but it will not fix the problems we have. We are now witnessing the consequences of systemic problems that have been going on for years. A propped up financial system, poor loan practices, far too much debt to capital ratio and we are spending money we never had - both as individuals and as a country. We are the “want” generation and not the “need” generation and it is all tumbling down right in our proverbial laps.

Now what? I can tell you one thing; it is a pretty helpless feeling out there. People’s retirement funds have gone down the drain. Homeowners have lost value in their homes by the thousands. Jobs are dropping by the way side at a rate of more than 100,000 per week and state and local governments and school systems are on the brink of bankruptcy.

My advice is to protect your own families and finances as best you can while reaching out to others. There are a lot of people hurting and we have to help.

I was stopped at a gas station in Charlotte this week and a man came up to me and explained he was trying to get home to Asheville and did not have any money to put in his gas tank. He had a clunker car pulled up to the pumps, and he showed me the dollar in change he had. I went inside told the cashier to set his pump for $5 worth of gas and he added his money for a total of $6. It wasn’t much, but it got him on his way.

Help when you can. You may be feeling pain, but there are always others that are suffering more than we are.

Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina.