Ca4 Innovation Charities

2021 ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF OUR STARTUP CA4 INNOVATION CHARITIES (501.C.3) DBA CAROLINA RIDES+ WERE FORMATIVE. WE WERE APPROVED IN JANUARY 2021 BY IRS FOR A LETTER OF EXEMPTION. IN MARCH WE SUBMITTED A PRIVATE GRANT APPLICATION TO COLLABORATIVE ACTION NETWORK (CAN) FOR SERVING DISADVANTAGED POPULATIONS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS. WHILE OUR START-UP GRANT WAS NOT FUNDED OUT OF THEIR LIMITED RESOURCES, THEY HAVE REQUESTED THAT WE WORK WITH THEM IN THE FUTURE TO PROVIDE RIDES+ SERVICES FOR THEIR CLIENTS WITH CAN AGENCIES. IN JULY, OUR GANNETT FOUNDATION ENTRY WAS 'CAROLINA RIDES ARE VITAL RIDES!' THE ONLINE 'CROWD-SOURCED' FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE WAS A 'SPRINT' FROM JUL 19 TO AUG 13. WE RAISED $5,850 ONLINE AND WERE EXCITED TO QUALIFY FOR LOCAL GRANT CONSIDERATION BECAUSE OUR TIER 1 GANNETT FOUNDATION'S 'A COMMUNITY THRIVES' DONORS AND DOLLARS EXCEEDED THEIR MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.FOLLOWUP FUNDRAISING PRODUCED TWO GRANTS IN DECEMBER - A SOUTHERN FIRST BANK CRA $1,000 GRANT AS WELL AS A $10,000 GRANT FOR LOCAL OPERATING COSTS OF A RIDES+ MOBILITY FOR ALL PILOT PROJECT IN NICHOLTOWN, AN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY. THIS $16,850 IN PRIVATE FUNDING IS ENABLING US IN 2022 TO PLAN FOR BEGINNING RIDES+ DEMAND RESPONSE SERVICES IN PILOT OPERATIONS IN NICHOLTOWN, AND TO EXPAND SERVICE AS DEMAND GROWS IF WE CAN CONTINUE RAISING FUNDS.