Area philanthropists are passionate about using their resources to better the community.
Fulfilling a promise that the city of Greenville made decades ago to residents on the city’s westside, Unity Park opened near downtown Greenville this May. The stunning sixty-acre park, which incorporates grassy greens, children’s playgrounds, and a welcome center, was made possible by more than fifty donors who gave almost $14 million to fund the project. The park is just one of the many landmarks around Greenville that were made possible by giving, in both big and small ways.
Bill Fox, senior account director at the Hughes Agency, has been a part of Unity Park since the beginning. The team spent four years fundraising for the project.
“Greenville is a very generous community that gives to help people and make our community better,” he says. “They are intentional in the kinds of things they support, looking for opportunities in areas in which they have a passion, such as children and families, healthy and active lifestyles, the environment and sustainability, and social equity. Each donor saw something in Unity Park that resonated with them.”
TD Synnex was one notable supporter of the Unity Park Project. Bob Stegner, the company’s senior vice president for marketing, North America, reports that his organization’s Share the Magic event has directly impacted thousands of lives by raising more than $16 million for Upstate children and families in need. For people looking to start their journey into philanthropy, he suggests finding an opportunity to get involved in some way that makes an impact, no matter how large or small. It doesn’t have to be something as expansive as the Unity Project.
Mary Hipp poured her passion into the Feed & Seed Co., creating a Food Innovation Hub to fill the gaps in the local food system by giving farmers a larger market for their products and increasing access to nourishing local food for residents who need it most. As a trained chef, one of the ways she chooses to focus her time and charitable giving is to help solve the problem of access to healthy food for all citizens of Greenville.
“Follow your heart when choosing a cause, but pay attention to your gut,” advises Hipp. She recommends you start by volunteering with an organization, then speak to current board members or check out their website before jumping in with your checkbook.
Hipp grew up in a philanthropic family. The Hipp family has donated to some of Greenville’s largest projects, including The Peace Center, Liberty Bridge, and Falls Park. Her mother and father, Anna Kate and Hayne Hipp, cofounded the Liberty Fellowship, a program for community leaders who want to make an impact in South Carolina.
“Greenville has a public-private partnership unlike most communities,” Hipp says. “Because of these partnerships, Greenville has achieved some very large projects that have benefited the community. In addition, Greenville’s nonprofit sector is strongly supported by the community and the business community.”
affordable food. Photo by Jack Robert Photography
Hipp is a member of Greenville Women Giving, an organization that allows 500 women to pool their annual membership contributions to support charitable projects. In 2022, they will award $517,495 to six grantees in the areas of arts, education, environment, health, and human services. Since its founding in 2006, Greenville Women Giving has invested $7.6 million in 140 grants to 87 nonprofits in Greenville County.
A fellow member of Greenville Women Giving, Diane Perlmutter learned about giving back to her community at an early age. “My family was an average middle-class family. At school, in the Girl Scouts, and at our synagogue, I was involved in volunteer activities ranging from visiting nursing homes to food drives,” she says.
“When I lived in New York City, I served on the board of YMCA of Greater New York and a local hospital. Then, I moved to Greenville and heard about Greenville Women Giving; I thought the idea of collective giving was a great way to combine my personal charitable giving with that of other women and have a larger impact than I could have on my own.”
Philanthropy does not just mean a monetary donation. Giving of your time, skill, materials, or even simply providing networking connections for a cause also goes a long way.
“I believe we all have a responsibility to help others, especially those who are less fortunate,” Perlmutter says. “Whether it is through philanthropy or volunteerism, there are many ways we can make the world a better place to live.”
Expert Advice
Jennifer Belshe, cofounder and principal at Novus Advisors, says it’s never too early to consult a financial advisor when considering giving.
“A financial advisor can work with individuals to identify their philanthropic goals and create and implement a giving plan to realize those goals,” she says. She advises potential donors to explore the financial side of the organization so you understand how much of your gift will go to the actual cause, versus things like administration expenses.
She personally has been involved in a number of philanthropic projects. “It gives me great satisfaction in knowing that I am giving back to the community and making a difference.”
If you’d like more information about a charity before you decide to give, two helpful websites are CharityNavigator.org and GuideStar.org. The IRS website (irs.gov) is also helpful in researching nonprofit status for tax deductions.
