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RALEIGH, N.C.  — The John William Pope Foundation, one of the top-giving philanthropies in North Carolina, is proud to announce the 2014 class of Pope Family Eagle Scout scholars. The scholarships, valued at $20,000 for each student, will help four young men pursue careers in engineering, music, business, and medicine. The mission of the Pope Family Eagle Scout Scholarship is to further the course of study for devoted Eagle Scouts who want to become leaders in the free-enterprise system. The Pope family and the Pope Foundation have invested over $1 million in these promising young men and in the Occoneechee Council. “Helping these Eagle Scouts become the greatest leaders of tomorrow — that’s our goal,” said John Akerman, CEO of the Occoneechee Council, the scouting council that administers the scholarship. “We’re excited to see where life takes this newest class of young men.” The Pope Foundation funds two scholarships, valued at $40,000, and the Occoneechee Council funds the other two, also valued at $40,000. The Occoneechee Council is the largest scouting council in North Carolina, serving 20,000 youths and covering 12 counties. The 2014 class of scholars comprises: Benjamin Cox: Plans to pursue a career in mechanical engineering and attend N.C. State University Evan Fritsch: Plans to major in business and pursue a career in music recording Austin Story: Plans to attend Wake Forest University and pursue the medical profession Michael Russell: Plans to pursue a career in civil engineering by earning a degree at either N.C. State University or Clemson University Source: The John William Pope Foundation, located in Raleigh, North Carolina, works to improve the well-being of the citizens of North Carolina and the nation through the advancement of individual freedom and personal responsibility. From its first grant in 1986 to the present, the Foundation’s giving has totaled over $100 million, primarily to charities and organizations in North Carolina.

To mitigate the effects of the federal government shutdown that spanned the first half of October, the John William Pope Foundation has announced $185,000 in grants to humanitarian charities in central, eastern, and western North Carolina. “The Pope Foundation is always honored to help these vital humanitarian nonprofits with financial support, support that is leveraged by their great volunteers and staff,” said Art Pope, President and Chairman of the Pope Foundation. “With the added uncertainty and potential increase in need due to a partial federal government shutdown, the Pope Foundation decided to give earlier and more to help these private and volunteer charitable institutions fill the gap and offer a hand up to those most in need,” Pope said. Thirteen organizations will benefit from the accelerated grants. These organizations meet the immediate needs of children, women, and men by providing food, shelter, clothing, and medical care. “With these extra funds, we’ll be able to go and buy meat, baby formula, and diapers,” said Dorothy Hunt, Executive Director of Lifeline Outreach Inc., a nonprofit based in Vance County that alleviates homelessness and assists women and children in crisis. “The grant will enable us to continue doing what we’re already doing, but on an increased level,” she added. “Helping these people is the call of God on us.” The grants are: $25,000 — Alliance Medical Ministry $5,000   — Area Christians Together for Service $15,000 — Food Bank of the Albemarle $20,000 — Food Bank of Central and Eastern N.C. $20,000 — Habitat for Humanity of Wake County $10,000 — Interfaith Food Shuttle $10,000 — Lifeline Outreach Inc. $15,000 — Raleigh Rescue Mission $10,000 — Salvation Army of Wake County $15,000 — Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest N.C. $10,000 — Shepherd’s Table $10,000 — Urban Ministries of Wake County $20,000 — United Way of Vance County Since its founding in 1986, the Pope Foundation has given millions to humanitarian charities, mainly in Wake County and adjacent regions. For more information, interviews, or details on the application process, contact Dave Riggs or David Bass at 919-861-6445 or press@jwpf.org. ABOUT THE POPE FOUNDATION The John William Pope Foundation, located in Raleigh, North Carolina, works to improve the well-being of the citizens of North Carolina and the nation through the advancement of individual freedom and personal responsibility. From its first grant in 1986 to the present, the Foundation’s giving has totaled over $100 million, primarily to charities and organizations in North Carolina. The Foundation is a private family foundation supported by the late John William Pope Sr. and his wife, Joyce W. Pope, and their children: their late son, John William Pope Jr.; Amanda Pope; and Art Pope. The Pope Foundation receives additional support from the family’s business, Variety Wholesalers Inc., which owns and operates Roses, Maxway, Super 10, and other discount stores, and has its offices and distribution centers in Raleigh and Henderson, North Carolina.  

The Pope Foundation’s new Liberty Leader focuses on Jim Anthony, a businessman in commercial real estate who uses his wealth to help others and advance the values he holds dear: For Jim Anthony, it all began in 1983. An MBA graduate from Duke University, Jim had spent the last four years working as a brokerage professional in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles when he decided to move his family back to North Carolina. He took a job with a local commercial real estate firm, Carolantic Realty, and that’s when he “woke up” to the importance of personal philanthropy. “Up until then, I was politically disconnected,” Jim said. “In my Christian faith, I was nominal. Then Steve Stroud, my boss, showed me the importance of investing in our community, both through political involvement and personal giving.” That, plus some financial wake-up calls in the last real estate collapse in the late 1980s, set Jim on a three-decade course of philanthropic commitment, consisting of political engagement with candidates, public policy organizations, as well as faith groups that share his values. Along the way, Jim founded his own commercial real estate business in Raleigh. Today, he serves as CEO of Colliers International Raleigh/Durham and still uses his success to bless others when and where he can. “My goal is to see the results of my philanthropy while I’m still living,” Jim said. “Generosity is for now — today. I want to see where the money goes and ensure that it’s helping people and supporting good values.” Read more here.

The Pope Foundation’s new Grantee Profile focuses on Hospice of Wake County, a top-notch “hospice home” and community services building: Similar to most western nations, the United States is expected to see a significant increase in its older adult population in the coming decades. With that fact of life comes a bevy of needed services. One of those is compassionate end-of-life care. In Hospice of Wake County, North Carolina’s capital city of Raleigh is blessed to have a top-notch “hospice home” and community services building. Nestled in the middle of an idyllic sheep farm in west Raleigh, Hospice offers comfort, peace, and hope to individuals and families facing life-ending illnesses. The need is significant. The older adult population in Wake County is expected to double by 2025, outpacing growth in the general population. In recent years, that growing need has led to major growth at Hospice of Wake County, and the John William Pope Foundation has been privileged to play an instrumental role. “Individuals often come to us after having exhausted all of their resources due to their illness or a medical crisis or a difficult family situation,” said John Thoma, Hospice of Wake County’s CEO. “We help to lift their burden, and we’re able to do so partly through gifts from generous foundations, including the Pope Foundation.” Read more Grantee Profiles here.

The Pope Foundation’s new Achiever Spotlight tells the story of Juan Nelson, who works as a case manager for StepUp Ministry‘s Life Skills program. Once employed and struggling with a drug addiction, today Juan helps others find jobs: It took five businessmen at a church in Charlotte, North Carolina, to set Juan Nelson on the path to new life. That was no easy task: Juan had just arrived in the Queen City seeking recovery from a nagging drug addiction. His criminal record scared away potential employers. But after he joined a ministry geared toward renewal through spiritual means, his life began to change. “The men in my church imparted a lot of principles,” Juan said. “Instead of telling me how to do it, they literally put their arms around me and showed me how to do it, how to change.” The process was slow and required a solid dose of humility up front, but soon Juan was hired in a supervisory role to help clean Harris Teeter stores. “It taught me how to work for someone else and humble myself,” he said. “It taught me how to be on time. It taught me how to pay my bills.” Juan soon wanted more, so he pursued an entrepreneurial endeavor: He founded his own moving company. Life was good. Juan had plenty of money flowing in. He could afford a nice place to live, and he provided plentifully for his wife and kids. But there was a downside, too … Read more Achiever Spotlights here.