TCF Opens Online Voting for What Matters Innovation Award

Contact

Kelly Mauldin Harrell
Director of Communications

919.474.8370 ext:125
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

April 21, 2010

Community votes to determine $5,000 award winner

Durham, N.C. – Triangle Community Foundation opened online voting today to determine the winner of the 2010 What Matters Innovation Award, a $5,000 prize for an organization using innovative strategies to address growth and diversity in the Triangle. The Foundation invites the public to choose the award winner from among five finalists through participating in the online voting competition on http://www.trianglecf.org from April 21-28.

The 2010 What Matters Innovation Award finalists are:

Builders of Hope (http://www.buildersofhope.org) – a Raleigh-based nonprofit organization working to increase the availability of high-quality, safe, affordable housing for working families.

Community Reinvestment Association of North Carolina (http://www.cra-nc.org) – a statewide organization promoting and protecting community wealth.

Institute for Emerging Issues (http://www.emergingingissues.org) – a public policy think tank based at NC State University that convenes leaders to tackle issues facing North Carolina’s growth and prosperity.

Kramden Institute (http://www.kramden.org) – a Durham-based nonprofit organization empowering hardworking, financially disadvantaged students by giving them home computers

SPARKcon / Visual Art Exchange (http://www.sparkcon.com) – a volunteer-led movement showcasing local talent and nurturing a creative eco-system in the Triangle.

“Encouraging public participation in philanthropy is core to our mission as a community foundation,” said Andrea Bazán, Triangle Community Foundation President. “We hope that this voting competition increases the public’s knowledge of and support for these five innovative organizations.

The 2010 What Matters Innovation Award is sponsored by The Redwoods Group Foundation.

Triangle Community Foundation will present the award on May 5 at What Matters, the Foundation’s first annual benefit dinner. The sold-out event will feature nationally renowned journalists Steven and Cokie Roberts, and WRAL anchor David Crabtree will serve as emcee. What Matters is presented by Wachovia, A Wells Fargo Company, and all proceeds from the event will support the Foundation’s community programs that strengthen local nonprofits and address regional issues.

Triangle Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that manages $135 million in funds established by individuals, businesses and families. From these funds, we give grants to nonprofit organizations and administer a variety of programs for the community’s benefit. The Foundation currently manages over 740 funds, ranging in size from $10,000 to $10 million, primarily for the benefit of Wake, Durham, Orange and Chatham counties. During the 2008-09 fiscal year, the Foundation granted more than $15 million to nonprofits, schools and community efforts. On average, we distribute more than 10% of our assets each year, raising the total value of grants made since the Foundation’s inception in 1983 to nearly $144 million. For more information, please visit http://www.trianglecf.org.

The Redwoods Group, a privately held, socially conscious company, provides property and casualty insurance underwriting and risk and claims management services to YMCAs, Jewish Community Centers and nonprofit resident camps across the nation. The company’s business and social mission is to protect and improve the quality of life in the communities it serves. Its motto is to Serve Others®. For more information, please visit http://www.redwoodsgroup.com.

###