CRESCENT Philanthropy: March 19, 2011

Heritage Classic Foundation Distributes Verizon Foundation Grants

The Heritage Classic Foundation is distributing funds to those in need thanks to a grant from the Verizon Foundation.  The Verizon Foundation awarded the three-year $1.5 million grant to the Heritage Classic Foundation in 2011.

Each year, half of the grant is used to continue the Heritage Scholar Program.  The other half is used to fund nonprofits that focus on education and health care.

“The Heritage Classic Foundation is excited to be working with the Verizon Foundation again this year,” said Chairman Simon Fraser.  “This grant sustains our Scholar Program and allows us to continue to help Beaufort County’s deserving young students.”

The Heritage Scholar Program is the most significant scholar program in Beaufort County.  Fifteen four-year scholar grants will be awarded to graduating Beaufort County seniors for two more years as a result of this grant.  The 2012 Awards will be announced during a luncheon on March 27.

Since 1987, the Heritage Classic Foundation has distributed more than $22 million to numerous nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping people throughout South Carolina.  The Foundation is proud to be able to continue to support those in need thanks to the Verizon Foundation.

The following nonprofits received grants through this partnership:

• Boys & Girls Clubs
• Children’s Center
• Children’s Relief Fund
• CAPA (Child Abuse Prevention Association)
• Hilton Head Heroes
• Hope Haven
• Literacy Volunteers
• National Alliance Mentally Ill (NAMI)
• Family Justice Center of Georgetown County
• The Sandbox
• The South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
• Volunteers in Medicine

“We believe each of the 12 groups is doing outstanding work.  Each has its own story, but they all have something in common”, said Heritage Classic Foundation Charity Committee Chairman, Stan Smith.  “They are all helping the most needy in the area to improve their lives.”

 

Walmart Foundation gives $40,000 for Junior Achievement programs throughout South Carolina

Thousands of elementary, middle and high school students across South Carolina will get access to programs that foster work-readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy skills due to a $40,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation.

Junior Achievement (JA) of South Carolina’s mission is for young people to be inspired and prepared to succeed in a global economy. JA views high school graduation as essential to that success but is concerned with nearly 7,000 students dropping out of school each day.

South Carolina mandates require financial literacy education for students, but reduced educational resources and personnel have strained the ability to deliver in a meaningful way.  The need encouraged the three JA affiliates in South Carolina (Columbia, Charleston and Greenville) to work together to provide volunteer taught lessons in financial literacy. JA programs are aligned with State Teaching Standards at all grade levels.

Using the funds from the Walmart Foundation, JA will implement its activities and lessons based on the recommendations of the program staff and the school districts in each county. JA offices will confirm participation with school educators, then recruit and train business volunteers from the local community to teach the programs to an assigned class.

Volunteers will visit classrooms (five visits for elementary programs, six visits for middle school programs and seven visits for high school programs) to facilitate hands-on activities.

“The programs demonstrate to students the direct relevance of what they are learning in school to their futures, and a greater understanding of the value of having a high school diploma,” said Greg Ley, area market manager for Wal-Mart. “The program is proven to instill students with the internal drive and belief that they can be successful.

The dropout crisis has a devastating impact on the future health of the economy, according to JA officials. Over the course of a lifetime, a high school dropout earns about $260,000 less than a high school graduate and contributes about $60,000 less in taxes. Overall, dropouts are twice as likely as graduates to be unemployed; three times as likely to live in poverty; eight times more likely to wind up in prison; and twice as likely to become the parent of a child who drops out of school.

“The program’s goal is to equip youth with knowledge and skills regarding financial literacy and work-readiness as they make decisions about education and careers,” said Chad Vail, president of Junior Achievement of Coastal SC, based in Charleston.  “As students’ confidence about finances and knowledge about the workplace increase, their attitudes and behaviors begin to demonstrate that they understand the relevancy and value of education. They get it.”