Image

About Us

We are one of over 900 community foundations in the US. We serve the 7 county Pee Dee region of South Carolina. Our mission is to improve the quality of life in our area of the state.

IRS designation: 501 c 3 (EIN: 20-4654550)

Who We Are

Eastern Carolina Community Foundation, founded in 2006, is the newest community foundation in South Carolina. We have a permanent endowment to meet the changing needs of the Pee Dee.

  • We foster philanthropy.

  • We build resources for nonprofits.

  • We support our local communities.

Our Building

Our Staff

Fetching Staff

No Staff

Image placeholder

What we do
As an independent public charity, we build permanent collections of endowed funds contributed by many donors in amounts both large and small. The funds are pooled and invested. Earnings from the endowed funds are returned to the community in the form of grants, scholarships, and other charitable distributions in perpetuity.

Stewardship / Leadership
  • Establish endowed funds for long term growth and support of nonprofits, causes, or organizations.

  • We give donors the opportunity to be the philanthropist they envision.

  • Maintain a diverse board of community leaders who oversee the duties of the foundation.

Grant Making
  • We research and verify charitable status of all grantees/non-profits.

  • We evaluate grant purpose and implementation.

  • Process and distribute grants according to application processes or as designated in agreements.

Investing
  • Professional Policy of Investment Statement reviewed annually.

  • Professional investment oversight (Our Investment Committee is made up of legal and financial advisors who graciously give their time and expertise).

  • Cost effective investment structure.

Collaboration / Community Leadership
  • We work with donors, non-profits, and leaders for the common good.

  • We connect donors to charitable causes.

  • Strengthen nonprofit partners through donor collaboration and fundraising.

Served Counties

Our History

Even before Eastern Carolina Community Foundation received its tax exempt status, the idea of a community foundation was circulating among community-minded citizens.

Eastern Carolina Community Foundation is the newest community foundation in South Carolina. It began to take shape in 2005, when a representative from the Coastal Community Foundation of Charleston was invited to speak to the Florence Rotary Club. Her presentation included a map revealing that nearly all of South Carolina was served by a community foundation — except for the Pee Dee area. Naturally, upon the conclusion of her presentation, an audience member asked, “Why don’t we have a community foundation in the Pee Dee?” She then responded, “I was going to ask you the same thing.”

Rotary Club representatives were so fired up that they met with other foundation and nonprofit representatives to find an answer for this question. In 2006, the Eastern Carolina Community Foundation was formed.

Since then, Eastern Carolina Community Foundation has established a permanent endowment to meet the changing needs of the Pee Dee … all with help from generous donors, hardworking volunteers, effective grantees, and a dedicated board and staff. ECCF is part of a national network of over 900 community foundations that collectively pump billions into their local economies across the United States. Many of those assets have gone back into the community to help citizens of Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Marlboro, Marion, and Williamsburg Counties.

Our Values

RESPECT

We honor the dignity and input of all.

COLLABORATION

We work with donors, nonprofits, and community partners for greater good.

INCLUSION

We recognize and honor differences of background and opinion.

COMMUNICATION

We listen and share our impact.

ACCOUNTABILITY

We follow through on stated services and goals.

Mission

Eastern Carolina Community Foundation improves the quality of life in our area of South Carolina through inspired philanthropy and innovative community programs.

We serve Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Marion, Marlboro, and Williamsburg Counties.