Community Foundation of the Lowcountry

PEARLS of Hampton County

INTRODUCTION
For less than a dollar a day, women in Hampton County are becoming involved in an exciting community endeavor.

PEARLS stands for Philanthropic Empowerment Among Rural Lowcountry Sisters and has been established to fulfill the mission of connecting women who care with causes that matter.

Women from around the county have been invited to take part in the PEARLS of Hampton County with an investment of $200 or more annually that will be used for the PEARLS of Hampton County Fund. 

Contributions are distributed to nonprofit organizations in Hampton County recommended by the members and used to build an endowment to insure grantmaking in perpetuity.  In addition, members are involved in a variety of activities ranging from event planning to membership building.

Purpose Statement
Strengthening community through the impact of collective giving.

NEWS AND UPDATES
To encourage the growth and sustainability of PEARLS of Hampton County, the Board of Trustees of the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry recently voted to award a matching grant to the Women in Philanthropy in the amount of $30,000.  When matched successfully through member recruitment and retention, it will provide an additional $60,000 to the fund.

PROGRAMS
As a member, you could choose to be involved in:

• Coming together with other community-minded women to share ideas. 
• Supporting and engaging in activities that strengthen our community.
• Playing a leadership role in the initiative by serving on a committee.
• Learning about the philanthropic potential of women.
• Educational events that inform you about the needs of nonprofit organizations in the community.
• Mentoring programs to encourage younger women and girls to be successful, community-minded individuals.

PUBLICATIONS
PEARLS of Hampton County produces a newsletter several times a year.  Below is a sampling.

• September 2008
• January 2009
• June 2009

GRANTMAKING
The grantmaking focus of PEARLS of Hampton County is strengthening families and individuals in the areas of arts and culture, community development, education, the environment, health, and human services.  With this in mind, the advisory committee will establish the criteria for each cycle of funding for grantseeking nonprofit organizations.

The 2010 Focus is Girls in Crisis.  The Application deadline is April 7, 2010.

The Grantmaking Focus and Application can be found here:
Grant Application
Cover Letter

If you are interested in becoming a member of PEARLS of Hampton County, please download the membership brochure here.