Tri-county Black-benefitting groups to participate in Give 8/28 during Black Philanthropy Month

It's that time of year again.

Central Carolina Community Foundation, along with its African American Philanthropy Committee and partners from In Good Company, is gearing up for a noteworthy event.

The occasion in question? Give 8/28, a day that shines a spotlight on collaborative philanthropy in the Midlands and the remarkable efforts of Black-led and -benefiting nonprofits.

Central Carolina Community Foundation, the leader in collaborative philanthropy in the Midlands, serves 11 counties across South Carolina, distributing grants and scholarships and connecting resources from donors, nonprofits and community leaders to areas in need. Its major, and widely recognized, initiative is its year-round giving platform, Midlands Gives. The nonprofit also hosts its Connected Communities grants, the One S.C. Fund and annual scholarships.

Give 8/28, now in its sixth year, serves as a call to action for generosity toward organizations that cater to the needs of Black communities and utilizes the Midlands Gives platform for its donations. The Young, Black and Giving Back Institute in Washington, D.C., leads the national giving day that culminates Black Philanthropy Month, "a global coordinated effort to celebrate African-descent giving and funding equity" founded by Jackie Copeland-Carson and the Pan-African Women's Philanthropy Network in 2011. By designating Aug. 28 as the focal point, Give 8/28 encourages individuals to rally behind Black-led and Black-benefiting organizations.

This year's theme, "Love in Action," focuses on the root meaning of philanthropy, emphasizing love for humanity as its core principle.

A testament to the community's dedication, CCCF and In Good Company partners are uniting their efforts to uplift Black-led and -benefiting nonprofits. This year, Give 8/28 will be supplemented with a monetary gift from the nonprofit and its partners as a total of $15,000 in prizes will be granted to eligible nonprofits, symbolizing the community's support for its invaluable work.

"These organizations are vital and play a key role in creating the community we envision," said JoAnn Turnquist, president and CEO of Central Carolina Community Foundation.

First Citizens Bank and Optus Bank, both In Good Company Network partners, will sponsor prizes with Give 8/28 designed to inspire giving and assist the African American Philanthropy Committee's grantmaking. James Bennett, mid-South area executive at First Citizens, and Optus Bank both expressed their pride in helping to foster a stronger, more equitable community through an initiative that aligns with their mission to transform opportunities into wealth, promote change and uplift the underserved.

While there are more than 160 Black-benefitting nonprofits across the Midlands to choose from, there are 11 that serve Sumter, Clarendon and Lee counties that locals can support.

Participating nonprofits that serve the tri-county are Sumter Black Chamber of Commerce, Sumter Community Gallery of Art, Sumter Senior Services, Go Baby Go, James R. Clark Memorial Sickle Cell Foundation, Liberty STEAM Charter School, Project Josiah Restoration Ministry, Ragin Preparatory Christian Academy and Shiloh Project - Lift and, in Lee County, Jubilee Academy and Lee County Council on Aging Inc.

If you're inclined to give before Aug. 28, early donations are now open. To donate, visit tinyurl.com/7zn6mr2u.