Stories

Rutina “Tina” Bailey | Becoming a Fierce Advocate

If you know Rutina “Tina” Bailey, you know she is a fierce advocate for nonprofits and is passionate about finding ways to help them thrive. If you had asked Tina at the beginning of her career what she expected in her career path, it would not have been spending three decades in the nonprofit sector,…
Read more: Rutina “Tina” Bailey | Becoming a Fierce Advocate
El Vínculo Hispano | A Safe Space for the Community

“Our community wants what everyone wants – a roof over their heads, to own a home, peace and safety in their communities, not to be discriminated against, access to opportunities, a good education, a good paying job, a driver’s license, documentation, a path to citizenship, healthcare.” – Ilana Dubester, Executive Director, El Vínculo Hispano There…
Read more: El Vínculo Hispano | A Safe Space for the Community
Jim Stewart | Living Life in the Arena

“A person’s place is in the arena, not in the grandstands.” – Jim Stewart, quoting his father, John S. “Shag” Stewart Jim Stewart’s father John (affectionately known as “Shag”) lived his life in the “arena,” as did his mother, Otelia Spaulding Stewart, so Jim had plenty of examples of what it meant to be intricately…
Read more: Jim Stewart | Living Life in the Arena
Legacy Donors | A Lasting Impact on Community

“The generosity and forward thinking of many of our founding donors were the bedrock for the work and community investment we provide today and will continue to in the future. That these donors trusted the Foundation with their legacy is deeply meaningful to me personally and to the organization.” – Lori O’Keefe, President & CEO…
Read more: Legacy Donors | A Lasting Impact on Community
BUMP: The Triangle | The Power of Passion for the Arts

BUMP’s origins began in Boston as the Boston Urban Music Project founded by Georgiary Bledsoe. Dr. Bledsoe relocated the organization to NC in 2012 where it has evolved into BUMP: The Triangle and Joy Harrell Goff serves as a “re-founder,” guiding the future direction of the organization. Upon arrival in Durham in 2012, BUMP focused…
Read more: BUMP: The Triangle | The Power of Passion for the Arts
Marsha’s Testimony: Legacy Building and Community Changing | Giving Circles

Marsha Morgan’s journey in philanthropy is rooted in her upbringing, deeply engrained values, and desire to positively impact her community. Born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, but raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Marsha considers Alabama her home. Reflecting on her childhood, her mother and grandmother’s strong influence was pivotal – engaging in school extracurricular activities, teaching…
Read more: Marsha’s Testimony: Legacy Building and Community Changing | Giving Circles
Katherine Seligmann & Rebecca Balter | Partners in Philanthropy

Mother-daughter duo Katherine Seligmann and Rebecca Balter concede that family philanthropy can be challenging due to the many different personalities and family dynamics involved, but can be successful with three things: 1) You share a core set of values, 2) You are interested in and educated on the issues, and, 3) The knowledge that at…
Read more: Katherine Seligmann & Rebecca Balter | Partners in Philanthropy
Natalia Siegel | Becoming Your Own Type of Philanthropist

Growing up on Long Island, Natalia Siegel, Director of Donor Engagement at the Foundation, has always had a spark for community. A second-generation Colombian American, Natalia grew up with both of her parents working in the medical field, a profession that embodies service to others. She can recall many stories of her family lending a…
Read more: Natalia Siegel | Becoming Your Own Type of Philanthropist
Arts Access NC | Connecting Art to All in the Community

“We are a connector of people – people to opportunities, people to arts, and people to organizations.” – Eileen Bagnall, Executive Director, Arts Access NC In 1984, an organization emerged with the goal of increasing accessibility to the arts for people with disabilities here in the Triangle. Arts Access NC’s first project was providing wheelchairs…
Read more: Arts Access NC | Connecting Art to All in the Community
Diamante Arts and Cultural Center | Diversifying the Community’s Art Sector

“We serve artists, performers, cultural advocates, arts and cultural organizations, art supporters, and the general public seeking to preserve, develop, and promote the cultures, heritage and artistic expressions of the diverse Latino/Hispanic communities in North Carolina.” – Lizette Cruz Watko, Founder and Executive Director, Diamante Arts and Cultural Center Lizette Cruz Watko founded North Carolina’s…
Read more: Diamante Arts and Cultural Center | Diversifying the Community’s Art Sector
Laurel Shulman | A Passion for Connecting the Dots

Cult Classic Movie Musicals Ten years ago, you would have found Laurel Shulman writing and directing musicals to raise funds for local nonprofits. “Making something out of nothing” was her and her community theatre’s credo. She learned that making connections builds community. “It’s that simple, it’s that essential and it’s that beautiful,” says Laurel. She…
Read more: Laurel Shulman | A Passion for Connecting the Dots
Urban Community AgriNomics | Growing the Roots of Service

The moment you turn into Catawba Trail Farm, you are immediately transported. It feels unfathomable that downtown Durham is just six miles away. The trees, grass, gardens, birds chirping, and overall tranquility feels magical. You just need to exchange a few words with Delphine Sellars, Executive Director of Urban Community AgriNomics (UCAN), to quickly realize…
Read more: Urban Community AgriNomics | Growing the Roots of Service