Surprise Synergy in a Foundation of Philanthropy

by Parul Joshi

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Picture by Sean Busher

February 21, 2012

Shawn Turner had no idea that spending her afternoon at the Foundation for the Carolinas would be something more than just one more thing added to her already busy schedule. A teacher at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' Ranson IB Middle School, Turner and her colleagues a few weeks ago attended a workshop at the Foundation’s new Uptown location and left with new-found inspiration, owing in large part to the space in which they worked.

The Foundation avails its sleek, new workspace free of charge to nonprofits and other community-based organizations, extending the reach of donor dollars to support individuals, families, nonprofits and corporations as they positively impact their communities. Marketing and Communications Director Leslie McCray said she and her staff feel fortunate they can share their new space with the community.

“It's always been a part of the Foundation's role to be a hub for philanthropic activity and civic leadership, and this facility allows us to fulfill that role more completely,” McCray said.

Since December, dozens of diverse community groups and nonprofits have held meetings at the Foundation, McCray said, “but we are hoping for more. It's our vision for the building to be fully utilized, week in and week out, all year long.”

A Tradition of Giving

The Foundation in 1958 began working to distribute donors' charitable gifts and dollars philanthropically across the region, and more than half a century later, its tradition of giving continues. As of November 2011, Foundation assets totaled more than $850 million.

The Foundation moved in December to its new offices at 220 N. Tryon St. (the former home of the Mint Museum’s craft collection) from a much smaller facility a few blocks further south. Its new home, the Luski-Gorelick Center for Philanthropy, was a gift from Bank of America. The Luski and Gorelick families’ generous donations supported the building's renovation as well as gifted and loaned artwork.

Stunning glass pieces and remarkable artwork transform what could be an ordinary office building into the home of an awe-inspiring art collection. And with the new space, there is a new hope that area nonprofits will take the giving to a higher level, Foundation leaders say.

Turner appreciated the opportunity to work in the building.

“It just made it a totally different experience, just walking in the door and seeing this beautiful artwork,” she said. Instead of thinking about what a long day it was going to be for her at the workshop, she found herself appreciating the space, she said.

“It made a difference in the way that I came in, the way that I chose to listen, the way that I chose to be 100 percent here. This experience meant that someone thought enough of me to send me to this very nice building to do what I love to do.”

Items that Inspire

Maybe Turner's inspiration that day came from more than just the aesthetics of the 85,000 square-foot facility. Perhaps she was motivated by the meaning behind the items on display, many of which symbolize past successes in the region.

In the Foundation's Legacy Hall, for example, the bronze reliefs depict individuals who established permanent foundations, funds or endowments that still support the region's people and institutions, McCray said.

“Collectively, those funds have donated more than $5 billion since their inception. Many of the universities, hospitals, arts institutions, museums and well-known charitable agencies of our region were essentially built through the foresight of these individuals who had the vision and incredible generosity to create these endowed funds,” McCray said.

It's an environment Foundation leaders believe can build an even more successful future for others.

Assistant Principal Kevin Sudimack and CMS Data Tools Team member Crystal Shue attended the workshop with Turner. They said they left with much more than information on teaching skills and student learning habits - they left inspired by their surroundings.

The teachers’ workshop took place in the Richardson conference room, named after Carolina Panthers founder and owner Jerry Richardson and his wife, Rosalind, where a large portrait of the couple hangs on the rear wall of the conference room. As the day progressed, Sudimack occasionally would look up from his work and see the painting of the Richardsons. He said there was something powerful about being around such an image of success that elevates expectations of himself.

“It makes me feel I am a true part of this community,” he shared.

Middle School teacher Edwina Virella said sometimes, teachers feel society doesn't value them. However, when she was in the Richardson conference room, all she felt was appreciation and respect.

“It's important to your core. You work harder as long as you know that somebody cares about what you do,” Virella said.

Shue added after the workshop, “This room really set the tone for the day. Just the building itself changed everybody's perception of themselves.” She continued, “I really think it made such a powerful impact on the work we did today.”

Surprise Synergy

In addition to providing meeting spaces that inspire good work, the Foundation produces something unexpected - a by-product of innovative thinkers coming together. In McCray's words, there's an “unplanned synergy” among groups that meet in different rooms at the same time.

“For example, a group that serves the homeless and another group that addresses affordable housing issues might be meeting in adjoining conference rooms,” Mc. Cray said, “and when they break for lunch they meet in the hallway and share a little of what they've been talking about - there's a kind of magic in that for us.”

More Information about the Foundation for the Carolinas: 

• Nonprofits and other not-for-profit community groups can use the building for free during business hours Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Use after hours and on weekends carries a charge, but at a reduced rate.
• The building has 17 board and conference rooms and a classroom.
• Businesses looking for retreat or meeting spaces are also welcomed. For-profits are charged a fee to use the building.