Davidson Community Foundation (DCF) hosted nearly 150 donors and friends Thursday, May 29th to celebrate the Foundation’s five-year anniversary and impact, its newly obtained 501c3 status and to acknowledge community members who have supported the Foundation.

This special event, underwritten by its diverse board of directors, was held at Gallery 18 in the newly built Game Changers Field House on the Davidson College campus. The two-hour event allowed donors and friends to meet, talk and enjoy refreshments served by Davidson College’s Much Ado catering staff.

Davidson College President and DCF board member Doug Hicks, welcomed and thanked attendees. Hicks stressed the importance of the Foundation to the community.

Board member Dave Cable also addressed the gathering, emphasizing that it was only through community collaboration and the generosity of donors that made the Foundation a reality.

Davidson Community Foundation grew out of a comprehensive planning initiative to determine unmet community needs.. A key part of that, Cable said, involved door-to-door surveys and community listening sessions to understand the priorities, concerns and needs of the Davidson community. As the Foundation was about to launch in 2020, the pandemic hit.

“Instead of postponing a launch, we immediately pivoted and raised nearly $400,000 for COVID relief for the community and distributed funds to local non-profits through grants that ensured distribution of funding to those with the greatest need,” said Cable. Cable also underscored the important role the Foundation will play as governmental agencies pull away from community support.

Harold Rice, CEO of the Ada Jenkins Center, also spoke to donors regarding the Foundation’s impact. The Center provides support and assistance to the homeless and low-income families to break the poverty cycle and help them achieve economic stability.“We greatly value what DCF brings to our organization,” said Rice. “Our collaboration is essential and moves beyond a simple strategic alliance. DCF cares about our goals and we are grateful to the resources of the Foundation that allows us to expand our services and support more people in need.”

Chris Ahearn, Davidson Community Foundation Co-Chair gave closing remarks about the Foundation’s achievements since its founding that included raising more than $1.4 million to support transformative projects in collaboration with The Town of Davidson, Davidson Housing Coalition, and Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region. Grants to non-profit agencies have
provided support for affordable housing, critical home repairs in West Davidson and helped local seniors to age in place in homes they own as they face gentrification and rising property taxes.

“The Foundation is unique in its ability to quickly respond to the most pressing needs in our community. We look forward to growing the philanthropic pie to meet the needs here at home,” said Ahearn.

If you would like to learn more about Davidson Community Foundation or to make a donation, visit www.davidsoncommunityfoundation.org