Even before the Eastern Carolina Community Foundation received its tax-exempt status, the idea of establishing a community foundation dated back further. Several members of the Florence Rotary Club were learning about community foundations in 2005 when a representative from the Coastal Community Foundation of Charleston spoke to the Florence Rotary Club. Her presentation included a map showing that nearly all of South Carolina is served by a community foundation. The most glaring exception was the entire seven-county Pee Dee area. The first audience question was “Why don’t we have a community foundation in the Pee Dee?” Her response was, “I was going to ask you the same thing. Why don’t you have a community foundation in the Pee Dee?”
Rotary Club representatives met with other foundation and non-profit representatives to discuss the possibilities of creating a community foundation in the Pee Dee. In 2006, the Eastern Carolina Community Foundation was incorporated to serve Chesterfield, Marlboro, Marion, Dillon, Florence, Darlington and Williamsburg counties. Soon after, it won its 501(c) 3 designation from the Internal Revenue Service and, with a board of local leaders from Florence and Darlington counties, began organizing the Foundation.
The effort grew when the Florence Rotary Club pledged $75,000 over three years to help cover initial operating expenses. Through 2006 and 2007, the Eastern Carolina Community Foundation Board of Trustees prepared by learning more about community foundations and developing an infrastructure. On Nov. 13, 2007, the Eastern Carolina Community Foundation was formally announced.
The first Liberty Prize was awarded to the Eastern Carolina Community Foundation in January 2008. It was the result of Trip DuBard’s tireless efforts to raise awareness of the great needs of this region before the Liberty Fellows Committee. This award was $50,000.
In October 2008 a full time director was hired to handle the operations of the Foundation and to further the growth of the Foundation.
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