Greenville has received many accolades over the years as a great place to live, work and play, and yet we know there are still members of our community who need our support. The Community Foundation of Greenville’s vision is to make the county a thriving community where everyone can reach their full potential. For the past two years, it has been my privilege to serve as board chair, working with an incredibly talented staff and board, each member of which cares deeply about the Greenville community and the role philanthropy plays in changing lives for the better.
When I became chair in 2021, the Community Foundation, along with the rest of the Greenville philanthropic community, was beginning to move beyond crisis mode. We were ready to renew our focus on following through with the goals we had set in our 2019 strategic plan. There are a few achievements that I’m especially proud of when I think back over my tenure, each of which furthers our vision and goals.
First, we were able to advance the goal of growing the foundation’s assets, surpassing $100 million, as well as achieving the milestone of giving out more than $100 million in grants over our 66-year history. That solid financial foundation makes it possible for the Community Foundation to respond to crises, as it did during the pandemic, as well as take advantage of future opportunities that show promise of providing extraordinary impact.
One such opportunity took the form of impact investing with the Greenville Housing Fund, which provides resources for the renovation and construction of budget-friendly homes. The strategic-planning process revealed broad agreement among stakeholders that a need for more affordable housing was among the biggest issues affecting our community. Last year, the Community Foundation and several donor-advised funds made $100,000 impact investments to the fund. In addition to providing a rate of return, the money, when repaid, can be reinvested for any charitable purpose.
Photos: 2022 Charitable Giving Awards
The board also established a priority to ensure that CFG’s operations and grant making reflect a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We were early supporters and participants in Racial Equity and Economic Mobility (REEM). We were also proud to support the Hispanic Alliance and The Wings of the City exhibition by world-renowned Mexican artist Jorge Marin. These actions furthered our mission to inspire giving by bridging philanthropy and purpose, making Greenville County an inclusive and vibrant community.
Serving in this role has been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had as a volunteer. The majority of my professional career has been in the nonprofit sector, from my first position with the American Red Cross to my time at Meals on Wheels of Greenville. I have found my greatest joy in making a difference in people’s lives, and I have met many others who feel the same. We are fortunate in Greenville to have such a strong nonprofit sector — both those providing direct service and those providing the resources for those services to be provided.
The generosity of the Greenville community gives me great hope. I am thankful there are people who are always willing to answer the call with their time, talents and treasures. I wish more people knew about the many ways in which the Community Foundation of Greenville can help them achieve their philanthropic goals and the difference that each gift to the foundation makes. We want to make an impact in Greenville for years to come and we invite the community to join us in that effort.
Liz Seman served as the Community Foundation of Greenville’s board chair from 2021–2022.
To learn more about how the Community Foundation of Greenville helps individuals, families, and organizations optimize their giving, visit https://www.cfgreenville.org/.
