First Presbyterian Church Foundation

TO BENEFIT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND OTHER CHRISTIAN MISSIONS, MINISTRIES AND ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTED BY FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

THE FOUNDATION HOLDS ENDOWMENT FUNDS THAT ARE DEDICATED TO THE SUPPORT OF STUDENTS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND ARE ATTENDING VARIOUS COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. APPLICATIONS ARE SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD OF DEACONS OF FIRST PRESBYTERIAN WHO RECOMMEND THE RECIPIENTS OF THE AVAILABLE FUNDS. IN 2023, $33,300 WAS AWARDED TO 22 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS WHO USED THE FUNDS TO HELP ATTEND THE SCHOOLS OF THEIR CHOICE. TEN DIFFERENT SCHOOLS RECEIVED CHECKS ON BEHALF OF THESE STUDENTS TO OFFSET A PORTION OF THEIR TUITION AND FEES.

GIFTS AND GRANTS WERE MADE TO A NUMBER OF LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THE GREENVILLE AREA WHICH MINISTER TO CHILDREN AS WELL AS TWO OTHER MINISTRIES THAT SUPPORT WOMEN, ONE TO HELP THOSE OVERCOMING ADDICTION AND THE OTHER TO HELP DEAL WITH THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF ABORTION. THE ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVING THESE GRANTS OR GIFTS WERE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF GREENVILLE YOUTH AND CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES, INSTRUMENTS OF PRAISE, LEAD COLLECTIVE, NEIGHBORHOOD FOCUS, QUIVER FULL ADOPTIONS, POE MILL ACHIEVEMENT CENTER, CALVARY FOUNDATION BENEFITING THE JUDSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, ISAIAH 117 HOUSE, CHRISTIAN CREATIVE MEDIA AND MIRACLE HILL MINISTRIES. THE GRANTS OR GIFTS MADE TO THESE ORGANIZATIONS IN 2023 TOTALED $82,272. WHILE EACH ORGANIZATION IS DIFFERENT, THEY ALL SEEK TO IMPACT THE LIVES OF PEOPLE THROUGH VARIOUS PROGRAMS THAT ARE FAITH BASED AND SEEK TO PROVIDE SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT, CHARACTER EDUCATION, ACADEMIC SUPPORT, LIFE SKILLS OR COUNSELLING TO HELP DEAL WITH DIFFICULT OR CRISIS SITUATIONS EXPERIENCED BY INDIVIDUALS. MOST OF THE PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED TO INDIVIDUALS AT NO OR MINIMAL CHARGE.THE GRANTS TO THE FPC YOUTH AND CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES WENT TO COVER THE EXPENSE OF A GUEST CHRISTIAN SPEAKER AT A WEEKEND RETREAT ATTENDED BY THE STUDENTS, THE PURCHASE OF AN ARCADE BASKETBALL GAME FOR THE YOUTH SPACE AS A MEANS OF GETTING STUDENTS TO INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER BEFORE AND AFTER THE SUNDAY SCHOOL OR WEDNESDAY NIGHT ADVANTAGE PROGRAM AND TO SUPPORT DAY MISSIONS OF THE CHILDREN'S MINISTRY DURING VBS.INSTRUMENTS OF PRAISE, LEAD COLLECTIVE, NEIGHBORHOOD FOCUS., PMAC AND JUDSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ALL DO SUMMER AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR LOCAL CHILDREN IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES, SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES OR IN AREAS PRONE TO GANG VIOLENCE OR DRUG ACTIVITY. THEY USE PAID STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS TO WORK WITH CHILDREN BY PROVIDING AFTER SCHOOL OR SUMMER PROGRAMS WHICH ALLOW THEIR PARENTS TO AVOID THE COST OF DAYCARE AND YET HAVE A SAFE, NURTURING AND FAITH-BASED ENVIRONMENT FOR THE CHILDREN. THEIR ACTIVITIES INCLUDE FAITH-BASED LESSONS, SPORTS ACTIVITIES, ACADEMIC SUPPORT, LIFE SKILLS, FIELD TRIPS TO PLACES OR TO DO THINGS THAT MANY OF THE CHILDREN WOULD NOT NORMALLY GET TO EXPERIENCE AND IN SOME MINISTRIES ACCESS TO COUNSELLING SERVICES.INSTRUMENTS OF PRAISE APPLIED FOR A GRANT TO PURCHASE DRUMS FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY AND PAY FOR INSTRUCTION FROM QUALIFIED TEACHERS. IOP IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT STRIVES TO TEACH CHRISTIAN VALUES TO THE CHILDREN IN A PROGRAM THAT WILL HELP MEET THE SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND CULTURAL NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES THROUGH THE PERFORMING ARTS. THEIR PROGRAM IS AN OUTLET AND SAFE PLACE THAT SEEKS TO KEEP THE CHILDREN FROM ENGAGING IN RISKY BEHAVIORS, SUCH AS DRUGS, ALCOHOL, VIOLENCE AND TEEN PREGNANCY. IN ADDITION TO THE GRANT THEY WERE ALSO GIVEN A GIFT TO COVER THE COST OF USING A PERFORMANCE SPACE AT FPC FOR THEIR END OF SUMMER PERFORMANCE.LEAD COLLECTIVE WAS GIVEN A GIFT TO HELP FUND THE COST OF UPFITS TO A BUILDING THAT HAD BEEN A RETAIL SPACE TO CREATE A NEW AFTER-SCHOOL CENTER FOR THEIR MINISTRY WHICH WOULD ALLOW THEM TO DO MORE ACTIVITIES AT ONE LOCATION AND SERVE MORE CHILDREN. THEY EXIST TO EQUIP AND ELEVATE LEADERS IN THE WAY OF JESUS FROM HISTORICALLY UNDER RESOURCED COMMUNITIES IN GREENVILLE.PMAC IS MINISTRY WITH AN AFT.ER SCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN IN THE POE MILL COMMUNITY OF GREENVILLE. THEIR GRANT WAS USED TO FUND A 3-DAY SUMMER FIELD TRIP TO THE BARRIER ISLAND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER ON THE SC COAST FOR 14 STUDENTS. THE TRIP WAS NOT ONLY EDUCATIONAL BUT OFFERED ENRICHING OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPOSURE TO PEOPLE, PLACES AND WAYS OF LIFE BEYOND THE STUDENT'S GENERAL SCOPE. JUDSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SERVES CHILDREN FROM HOLLIS ELEMENTARY IN AN AFTER SCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAM. THEIR GRANT WAS USED TO FUND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING FOR THE CHILDREN IN THEIR AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM. SPENCER SIMMONS, THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR JCF FELT THE COUNSELLING FOR THE CHILDREN WAS CRITICALLY NEEDED AS STUDIES SHOW A DIRECT LINK BETWEEN POVERTY AND TRAUMA. THE MORE POVERTY A COMMUNITY/FAMILY/STUDENT FACES THE HIGHER THE CHANCES OF EXPERIENCING TRAUMA. IF TREATED CORRECTLY THE EFFECTS OF THIS TRAUMA ARE REVERSIBLE. THEY HOPE THIS THERAPY WILL LEAD TO IMPROVED BEHAVIOR, FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, SCHOOL PERFORMANCE AND IMPROVED SENSE OF SELF-WORTH.NEIGHBORHOOD FOCUS USED THEIR GRANT TO FUND A NEW PROGRAM TO HELP MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS STAY ON GRADE LEVEL IN SCHOOL AND IN TURN STAY ON TRACK TO GRADUATE WITH A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA. THIS WILL BETTER PREPARE THEM FOR WORK AFTER SCHOOL AND ALLOW THEM TO SEEK BETTER JOBS WHICH WILL MAKE THEM MORE PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY AND FOR A FEW TO EVEN FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION BY SEEKING A COLLEGE DEGREE. THEIR MINISTRY IS IN THE WHITE HORSE ROAD CORRIDOR OF GREENVILLE WHICH HAS LARGE SPANISH SPEAKING POPULATION SO MANY OF THESE CHILDREN SUFFER ACADEMICALLY DUE TO LANGUAGE ISSUES IN SCHOOL. NF IS WORKING TO IMPACT THESE CHILDREN SPIRITUALLY AS WELL AS ACADEMICALLY SO THEY CAN BECOME PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS.THE GIFT TO ISAIAH 117 HOUSE IS TO HELP FUND THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY AND EVENTUALLY A HOME WHICH CAN HE USED TO PROVIDE CHILDREN BEING PLACED IN THE FOSTER CARE NETWORK A SAFE AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT WHILE THEY ARE PROCESSED IN THE PROGRAM AND AWAITING PLACEMENT IN A HOME. VOLUNTEERS WILL HELP CARE FOR THE CHILDREN AND HOPEFULLY PROVIDE LOVE AND STABILITY DURING A VERY DISTRESSING TIME FOR THE CHILDREN. THEY WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CLOTHES, A BED TO SLEEP IN, FOOD AND LOVE DURING THIS TIME.THE GRANT TO QUIVER FULL ADOPTIONS WAS TO HELP ESTABLISH WHAT THEY ARE CALLING THEIR LOVE4LIFE PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT TO ADOPTEES OVER THE COURSE OF THEIR LIFETIME. THE GOAL IS TO HELP CHILDREN AS THEY AGE HAVE ACCESS TO THERAPY AND COUNSELLING AS THEY UNPACK THEIR STORY AND DEVELOP A HEALTHY SENSE OF IDENTITY.FINALLY, THE MIRACLE HILL GRANT WAS USED TO HELP PURCHASE A VAN TO TRANSPORT WOMEN IN THE WOMEN OVERCOMING ADDICTION PROGRAM. THIS VEHICLE WILL BE USED TO TRANSPORT WOMEN TO COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS SUCH AS REGEN AND CELEBRATE RECOVERY, TO CHURCH AND SOCIAL ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES, DOCTORS' APPOINTMENTS, COURT APPEARANCES AND OTHER DESTINATIONS AS NEEDED. THE CREATIVE CHRISTIAN MEDIA GRANT WAS TO FUND PRODUCTION EXPENSES RELATED TO THEIR PLAY VIABLE. THEIR HOPE IS THAT THIS PLAY WILL HELP LAUNCH A JOURNEY OF HEALING AND RESTORATION FOR POST-ABORTIVE WOMEN AND MEN THROUGH THE LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST.IN ADDITION TO THESE GRANTS AND GIFTS WE ALSO HAD GIFTS FROM DONOR ADVISED FUNDS TOTALING $49,100 TO VARIOUS LOCAL MINISTRIES.

THE FPC FOUNDATION IN 2023 PROVIDED GRANTS AND GIFTS TO A NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL MISSIONS AND MINISTRIES. A GRANT WAS APPROVED FOR $4,000 TO CHILD FREEDOM COALITION WHICH IS A MINISTRY THAT EXISTS TO RESCUE UNTOUCHABLE CHILDREN FROM CHILD TRAFFICKING IN SOUTH ASIA AND PROVIDE THEM WITH THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO THRIVE AS ADULTS. THE TEAM IN SOUTH ASIA, WHICH CONSISTS OF PASTORS, CHRISTIAN CARETAKERS, TEACHERS AND VOLUNTEERS, RESCUES CHILDREN FROM SLAVERY PRIMARILY IN ROCK QUARRIES, BRICK KILNS AND BROTHELS IN SOUTHERN INDIA. ONCE RESCUED, CFC SHARES THE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST WITH THE CHILDREN AS WELL AS PROVIDING VOCATIONAL TRAINING. THE CHILDREN ARE TRANSFORMED BY BOTH, WHICH ALLOWS MANY OF THEM TO HAVE A RESTORED SELF-WORTH AND BECOME SELF-SUPPORTING. MANY OF THE CHILDREN HAVE SHARED THEIR BLESSING BY GIVING BACK TO THE PROGRAM WHICH IS HELPING IT MAKE PROGRESS IN BECOMING SELF-SUPPORTING. THIS GRANT WILL FUND VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR 2 CHILDREN.THE CHRISTIAN ARABIC CHURCH IN HENRICO, VIRGINIA RECEIVED A GIFT OF $25,000 WHICH WAS USED TO CONVERT AN EXISTING SPACE IN THE CHURCH BUILDING TO A WORSHIP SPACE FOR THEIR YOUTH.THE OUTREACH FOUNDATION, WHICH IS A 501C3 THAT WORKS WITH A NUMBER OF PRESBYTERIAN DENOMINATIONS TO DO MISSION WORK IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE WORLD, WAS THE RECIPIENT OF A $5,000 GIFT FROM THE FPC FOUNDATION. THE GIFT WAS TO THEIR GENERAL SUPPORT WHICH ALLOWS THE OUTREACH FOUNDATION'S BOARD TO DETERMINE HOW BEST TO USE THESE FUNDS. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HAS A LONG HISTORY OF WORKING WITH AND SUPPORTING THE WORK OF THE OUTREACH FOUNDATION.SAMARITAN'S PURSE RECEIVED A $5,000 GIFT TO THEIR GENERAL SUPPORT IN 2023. A GIFT OF $4,500 WAS MADE TO SEND INTERNATIONAL TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO NATALIE AND STEVEN HALL WHO ARE MEMBERS OF FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND SERVE AS MISSIONARIES FOR SEND.THE FOUNDATION GAVE A GIFT OF $100 TO ESPERANZA, WHICH IS A MINISTRY THAT PROMOTES MICROLENDING IN RURAL COMMUNITIES IN THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES. THEY HAD A NUMBER OF PROJECTS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC THAT MEMBERS OF FIRST PRES VISITED AT TIMES ON MISSION TRIPS. THESE FUNDS HELP PROVIDE THE CAPITAL FOR NEW LENDING GROUPS.THE TOTAL GIFTS TO NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS WERE $45,300 IN 2023.