South Piedmont Foundation

The Foundation directly supports advancing the mission of the College by:

• Raising and managing private funds to support scholarships, academic programs, and campus initiatives
• Building relationships with donors, alumni, and community partners to foster long-term support
• Supporting strategic priorities through grants, fundraising campaigns, and special projects
• Enhancing student success by funding emergency assistance, program innovation, and access initiatives
• Ensuring compliance and stewardship through transparent financial management and donor recognition

The Foundation works closely with College leadership and departments to ensure that all efforts align with institutional goals and accreditation standards.

Review our About Us page for information on who to contact for specific questions.

Scholarships are awarded based on a variety of criteria, which may include:

• Academic achievement
• Financial need
• Leadership and community service
• Program-specific eligibility or donor intent

Yes. There are a number of scholarships available to support tuition and fees expenses. Students can apply for scholarships through our scholarship management software, AwardSpring. Curriculum students should apply using their SPCC login credentials at spcc.awardspring.com. Continuing education students should apply at spcc.awardspring.com/prospective/signin. A selection committee made up of faculty and staff rates all applications and the Financial Aid department makes awards based on those ratings and the criteria established for each scholarship.

No, however, faculty is encouraged to provide students with the information on how to apply for scholarships.

To make donation, visit the Foundation’s online giving portal at https://spcc.edu/spcc-foundation/give-now/. If you prefer not to give online, the Foundation also accepts donations by checks (made payable to the SPCC Foundation).

All referrals are handled with care and confidentiality. The Foundation team will follow up and explore the best way to engage the potential donor. Here are some options for engaging/referring a potential donor:

• Share the donor’s contact information with the Foundation
• Invite them to attend a Foundation event
• Provide a warm introduction via email or phone

For donor referrals, contact Ashley Furr at afurr@spcc.edu. For grant related referrals, contact Sherry Gillespie at sgillespie@spcc.edu.

The Foundation accepts a variety of gift types, including:

• Cash gifts
• Checks
• Credit card donations
• Gifts of securities (such as stocks and bonds)
• Planned gifts (including bequests, charitable trusts, and beneficiary designations)
• In-kind donations
• Real estate and property
• Matching gifts from employers
• Endowments and named scholarships

These options allow donors to contribute in ways that best suit their financial situation and philanthropic goals.

Yes, all in-kind donations must be reported to the Foundation. This ensures proper documentation, donor acknowledgment, and compliance with IRS and institutional policies. Please use the In-Kind Donation Reporting Form available on the intranet or contact the Foundation Office for assistance.

Yes, many companies offer matching gift programs that extend to spouses or significant others. If your significant other’s employer includes spouse donations in their matching policy, you can absolutely use that match for your Foundation donation.

To get started:

• Check the company’s matching gift guidelines
• Submit the required documentation or online form
• Contact the Foundation for any verification or support needed

*Employee Giving Campaign gifts ARE eligible matching gifts.

A planned gift is a type of charitable donation that is arranged in the present but fulfilled in the future, often as part of a an overall financial or estate planning.

The Foundation accepts the following planned gift types:

• Bequests: Gifts made through a will or living trust.
• Life insurance policies: Naming the Foundation as a beneficiary.
• Retirement assets: Donating from IRAs or 401(k)s, often with tax advantages.

Planned gifts are a powerful way for donors to leave a legacy and support the long-term sustainability of SPCC.

Foundation funds are managed through a structured and responsible approach designed to ensure long-term sustainability, transparency, and alignment with the Foundation’s mission. Key components of fund management include:

• Investment Strategy: Funds are typically invested in a diversified portfolio—including stocks, bonds, and other assets—to generate returns that support scholarships, programs, and strategic initiatives over time.
• Financial Oversight: A dedicated finance and investments committee consisting of executive members of the Board of Directors provides oversight, reviewing budgets, financial statements, and investment performance regularly to ensure accountability and sound fiscal management.
• Strategic Alignment: Funding decisions are made in alignment with the College’s strategic goals, ensuring that resources support initiatives that advance student success, workforce development, and community impact.
• Compliance & Reporting: The Foundation adheres to all legal and regulatory requirements, accreditation standards and annual reporting and audit guidance, to maintain transparency and public trust.
• Ethical Stewardship: All funds are managed with integrity, avoiding conflicts of interest and ensuring that donor intent is honored in every allocation.

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Staff and faculty are encouraged to participate! Check the intranet calendar or contact the Foundation for volunteer opportunities.

No, staff do not receive discounts on Foundation events. Ticket prices and participation fees are set to support fundraising goals and reflect the value of the event experience.

Funds raised through the Employee Giving Campaign are used to support initiatives that directly benefit students and enhance the College. Donations are designated to one of the following: 1. Academic Programs, 2. General Fund, or areas of greatest need determined by the College’s leadership, 3. Student Emergency Assistance

Yes, contributions made through the Employee Giving Campaign are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Donors should request a confirmation letter or receipt from the Foundation if needed for tax purposes.

By giving at the $1,200/year level (or $100/month), employees have the option to designate their gift to a specific department or program of their choice. This allows donors to directly support the areas they’re most passionate about at the College.

The Employee Giving Campaign officially launches at Convocation each year, where faculty and staff are invited to pledge their support.

If you choose to give through payroll deduction, those contributions begin in January of the following year and continue for 12 months. One-time gifts and other forms of giving can be made at any time during the campaign period.

All current policies are available in the Foundation section of the intranet under the HR’s shared folder.

All current policies are available in the Foundation section of the intranet under the shared folder.

Submit a proposal using the Foundation Funding Request Form available on the intranet. Deadlines and guidelines are posted there as well.

The Foundation ensures SACSCOC compliance by regularly collaborating with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness to align all Foundation activities, fundraising efforts, and reporting practices with the College’s accreditation standards. This includes:

• Ensuring that all Foundation initiatives support the College’s mission and strategic goals
• Maintaining accurate records and documentation for audits and reviews
• Participating in planning and assessment processes tied to institutional improvement
• Coordinating with academic and administrative units to avoid conflicts with accreditation requirements

The Foundation manages a variety of grants that support the College’s mission and strategic priorities, including:

• Federal and State Government Grants that fund educational programs, student support services, and institutional initiatives
• Private/Foundation Grants from philanthropic organizations
• Corporate Grants for workforce development and community partnerships

Yes, all grant funding requests must be submitted through the Foundation. This ensures proper coordination, compliance with institutional policies, and alignment with the College’s strategic priorities. The Foundation also provides support with proposal development, budgeting, and submission to funding agencies.

Once a grant is approved, the Foundation provides comprehensive support to ensure successful implementation and compliance. This includes:

• Fund Management: Oversight of grant funds in coordination with the Business Office to ensure proper allocation and tracking.
• Reporting Assistance: Help with preparing and submitting required progress and final reports to funders.
• Purchasing Guidance: Support with procurement processes and documentation for grant-related expenses.
• Compliance Monitoring: Ensuring adherence to grant terms, institutional policies, and applicable regulations.
• Communication Support: Assistance with donor or funder recognition, publicity, and impact storytelling.

Grant funds are distributed and managed through a collaborative process between the Foundation and the College’s Business Office. Key steps include:

• Fund Setup: Once a grant is awarded, a dedicated account is created in CLARITY to track expenditures and ensure compliance with the grant’s terms.
• Budget Oversight: The Foundation monitors spending to ensure alignment with the approved budget and donor or funder intent.
• Purchasing & Reimbursements: All purchases must follow College procurement (LINK) policies. Reimbursement requests must include proper documentation and approval.
• Reporting: Regular financial reports are generated and shared with project leads. The Foundation also assists with required funder reporting.
• Closeout Process: At the end of the grant period, a final reconciliation is completed, and any remaining funds are addressed according to grant guidelines.

The Grants Council is a newly established, cross-functional group that provides oversight and strategic guidance for grant activity across the College. Its responsibilities include:

• Reviewing and approving grant proposals before submission
• Ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and compliance standards
• Coordinating with departments to avoid duplication and maximize impact
• Supporting post-award implementation and reporting
• Advising on funding opportunities and partnerships
• The Council includes representatives from the Foundation, Academic Affairs, Finance, Administration, Institutional Effectiveness, Student Affairs, and Business and Workforce Solutions.

That’s great! If you’ve identified a grant opportunity that aligns with the College’s mission and priorities, here’s what to do next:

Contact the Director of Advancement in the Foundation office at sgillespie@spcc.edu to share the grant details. Include the grantor’s name, application deadline, eligibility requirements, and a link to the full grant announcement if available. The Foundation will review the grant to ensure eligibility and to apply and that the opportunity aligns with current funding priorities and strategic goals. If a decision is made to move forward with the application, the Director of Advancement will work with you to develop a competitive proposal. This includes gathering required documentation, coordinating with internal departments, and ensuring compliance with College and foundation policies. NOTE: All grant applications must be submitted through the Foundation Office to ensure proper tracking, reporting, and stewardship.

Applications are reviewed by the Foundation and the respective members of the Grants Council. Final approval may require sign-off from College leadership depending on the grant size and scope.