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 April 2009, Giving Circle Members are Glenn Adams, Harold Lee Boughman, Mildred Braxton, Julian Brown, Dr. Jeannette Council, Dorothy Fielder, Dr. Samuel Fleishman, Daniel Griffin III, Dr. John Griffin Jr., Les Griffin, Chris Harris, Tammy Holland, Thaddeus Jenkins, Reverend Jamale Johnson, Mr. Donald LaHuffman, Pauline Makia, Ms. Dineen Morton, Marny Penix, Clinton Robinson, Smith Chapel Church, Frances Wesley and Marzella Worley.

As of April 2009, the Friends group includes, Jeffrey and Michelle Bullard, Johnsie Burgess, James R.D. and Ruby Currie, Mr. and Mrs. Warren Dobbins, Sr., Quay Bell Elliott, Julia Ford, John and Mary Holmes, Lucile Souders Elementary School, Dr. Eric Mansfield, Wilhemena McKinnon, Mount Sinai Baptist Church, Kimmi Teague Nettles, Leon Robinson Jr., Marilyn Sanford, Seabrook Community Watch, 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, attention Kimmie Nettles, P. O. Box 2345, Fayetteville, NC  28302.

For more information

Contact the E.E. Smith Academic Excellence Giving Circle Coordinator, Kimmie Teague Nettles at Kimmie@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)