Each community initiative is unique in its initiation, strategy, funding, duration and targeted community participants. After identifying an area of need through careful analysis of community trends, issues and research, the Foundation convenes a group of nonprofit professionals, civic leaders and other to determine the Foundation’s role in assisting the community. In addition, The Foundation’s Board of Directors affirms that the initiative aligns with our vision, mission and guiding principles; is important and value-added; and will be implemented in ways that benefit the community.

The following criteria guide the board, Foundation staff and volunteers in making recommendations about participation in major initiatives:

• The subject area must be a Foundation target area and address a serious community issue.
• The initiative should provide long-term benefits to the community and South Carolina.
• There must be evidence of broad-based community interest and the potential for private financial support to support the initiative.
• Clear outcomes and goals are established to determine the success of the initiative.
• A detailed plan must be created that specifies the duration of the initiative, a timeline of initiative events, an assessment of the human and financial resources needed to support the initiative, and initiative completion activities.

Our community initiatives exist to build a particular level of community leadership in the region around a serious issue. Once this leadership has been established and the goals have been met, The Foundation then transfers ownership to existing groups or ends the initiative. The following benchmarks guide staff in transitioning community initiatives:

• The predetermined outcomes and goals for an initiative have been achieved.
• A plan has been developed to effectively communicate the Foundation’s decision to transfer or terminate an initiative to all affected stakeholders.
• Other community organizations have taken responsibility for significant portions of the initiative’s program.
• The initiative is supported by funds from The Foundation or private donors have been exhausted.
• The community has changed significantly and the initiative can no longer be justified or sustained.