E.E. Smith academic excellence giving circle

            Photo Courtesy of The Fayetteville Observer-Cindy Burnham

The first grant given by the giving circle was to Cumberland County Schools for transportation of 30-40 fifth-and sixth-graders to summer camp at Luther "Nick" Jeralds Middle School from four elementary schools in the E.E. Smith attendance area. Pictured above are (l-r) Kimmie Teague, Les Griffin, Marney Penix, Glenn Adams, Dan Griffin present check to Mellotta Hill, Principal of Ferguson-Easley Elementary, and Jami Inman, magnet schools assistance program grant coordinator.  In the center is Penix's daughter, Kennedy.

About The Circle

E.E. Smith Academic Excellence Giving Circle is a vehicle to promote excellence in E.E. Smith attendance area schools and to provide philanthropic support to improve math and science programs for these schools. 

Membership is comprised of men and women of all ages and backgrounds who are committed to enriching and improving the lives of youth in E.E. Smith attendance area schools.  As a group, members will learn ways to make a lasting difference for E.E. Smith and support excellence in math and science.  It is our vision that E.E. Smith attendance area schools will have a large, diverse, and committed community of individual and corporate givers.

The E.E. Smith Academic Excellence Giving Circle is a component fund of Cumberland Community Foundation.  All donated funds will be matched by Cumberland Community Foundation up to the first $50,000.  Cumberland Community Foundation is a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt, publicly supported organization serving Cumberland County and surrounding areas.  Contributions are fully deductible to the extent permitted by law.  Cumberland Community Foundation is audited annually by Haigh, Byrd & Lambert, LLP.

How it Works

Members contribute $250 annually and commit to three years of membership.  All contributions will be granted by the E.E. Smith Academic Excellence Giving Circle to projects and programs that promote excellence at E.E. Smith and its feeder schools.  The three-year commitment encourages members to consider philanthropy a lifetime pursuit and allows E.E. Smith Academic Excellence Giving Circle to remain a stable source of funds for the benefit of E.E. Smith and its feeder schools.

Founding MemberS of the E.E. Smith Academic Excellence Giving Circle

As of February 2011, Giving Circle Members are Glenn Adams, Harold Lee Boughman, Mildred Braxton, Julian Brown, Dr. W.T. Brown, Jalyn Bryant-Standifer, Rene Corders, Dr. Jeannette Council, Cosmas D. Eaglin Jr., Dorothy Fielder, Dr. Samuel Fleishman, Daniel Griffin III, Dr. John Griffin Jr., Les Griffin, Pattie Griffin, Tammy Holland, Thaddeus Jenkins, Reverend Jamale Johnson, Donald LaHuffman, Dr. Renee LaHuffman-Jackson, Pauline Makia, Juelle McDonald, Nickkia Morgan, Dineen Morton, Marny Penix, Leola Richards, Clinton Robinson, Smith Chapel Church, Nina Stephens, Terri Thomas, Betty Watkins, Frances Wesley, Wanda Wesley and Marzella Worley.

As of February 2011, the Friends group includes, Jeffrey and Michelle Bullard, Johnsie Burgess, James R.D. and Ruby Currie, Mr. and Mrs. Warren Dobbins, Sr., Cheryl Eaglin, Quay Bell Elliott, Rosia Freeman, Julia Ford, Chris Harris, John and Mary Holmes, Rev. Aaron Johnson, Lucile Souders Elementary School, Dr. Eric Mansfield, Lonnie J. McAllister, Jr., Wilhemena McKinnon, Mount Sinai Baptist Church, Dr. Ruby Murchison, Kimmi Teague Nettles, Leon Robinson Jr., Marilyn Sanford, Seabrook Community Watch, Terry Union, Dr. Eugene Wright and an anonymous donor.

How to Join

Download the Welcome Packet, complete the Enrollment Form and return it with your check to Cumberland Community Foundation, P. O. Box 2345, Fayetteville, NC  28302.

For more information

Contact Mary Holmes at mary@cumberlandcf.org or 910-483-4449.

Resources

Welcome Packet (pdf)

Membership Enrollment Form (pdf)

Become a Friend form (pdf)

E.E. Smith Academic Excellence Giving Circle PowerPoint presentation (pdf)

September 15, 2009 Celebration Photos

Newsletters

January 2009 Newsletter (pdf)

March 2009 Newsletter (pdf)

May 2009 Newsletter (pdf)

Grant Information

Deadline to submit grant application: March 21, 2011

Eligibility:

• Schools must be in the E.E. Smith school district:  Ferguson-Easley Elementary, Lucile Souders Elementary, Margaret Willis Elementary, Warrenwood Elementry, Westarea Elementary, Luther"Nick" Jeralds Middle, Reid Ross Classical and E.E. Smith High School.
• Organizations must be located and provide services in Cumberland County, North Carolina to the designated schools in the areas of math and/or science.
• Applicants must qualify as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be classified as a unit of government.
• Organizations must not discriminate on the basis of age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, physical ability, sexual oreintation, political affiliation or religious belief nor be a religious organization that serves exclusively sectarian purposes.

Areas not funded

• Capital and endowment campaigns
• Organizations for re-granting purposes
• For profit corporations
• Individuals
• Projects promoting religious or political views
• Scholarships

Documents Needed for Grant Process:

2011 Grant Guidelines

Frequently Asked Questions

2011 Grant Application

2011 Grantees