Philanthropy News

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.

Raleigh, NC — The North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) has received a grant from the John William Pope Foundation for $25,000 in support of the Museum’s School Bus Scholarship Fund. The NCMA School Bus Scholarship Fund, which was launched in 2008 to provide funding to North Carolina schools requiring financial assistance to transport students to the Museum, must be replenished annually. Each year nearly 1,000 students from approximately nine schools visit the Museum with support from the School Bus Scholarship Fund. The John William Pope Foundation’s $25,000 grant will not only allow the NCMA to continue the program but will also allow it to serve an additional three to five schools. “This grant will ensure that more students from across North Carolina will experience the treasures of their state’s art museum,” said Museum director Lawrence J. Wheeler. “We are incredibly thankful for the support from the John William Pope Foundation, as it helps guarantee that students will have the opportunity to visit the Museum’s collection despite their school’s geographic distance and financial limitations.” “We were honored to add the North Carolina Museum of Art to our 2013 grants portfolio,” said Joyce L. Pope, Vice President of the John William Pope Foundation. “Without the School Bus Scholarship Fund, many children in our community wouldn’t have access to the Museum’s collection. We’re excited to play a small role in helping the Museum and educators bring art into students’ lives.” To participate in the School Bus Scholarship Fund program, schools must demonstrate financial need as measured by the percentage of children enrolled in a free lunch program or other special circumstances. Each participating school may request up to three buses (55 students per bus) per visit. The NCMA selected Horizon Charter Service to transport school groups to the Museum. Horizon Charter Service is on the Department of Public Instruction’s approved charter list, and all drivers have undergone background checks. Source: John William Pope Foundation

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 Achiever Spotlight tells the story of Guillermo Peña Panting, a native of San Pedro Sula, Honduras, widely considered the most dangerous place on Earth outside of a war zone: What would convince a talented, promising young man to forsake a life of ease in the United States and Europe and return to his home country — a country that’s currently considered the murder capital of the world? For Guillermo Peña Panting, the answer is simple: freedom. Gullermo’s home country of Honduras is enduring a season of drug-induced crime. With a murder ratio hovering around 86 homicides per 100,000 in population, Honduras typically tops charts of the most dangerous countries in the world. And Guillermo’s hometown, San Pedro Sula, is widely regarded as one of the most perilous locales outside of a war zone. Gang warfare and the drug trade have destabilized the country, particularly following a coup in 2009 that deposed the Honduran president. The country is a major drug transit from South America to the U.S. But while thousands were fleeing the country, Guillermo saw nothing but opportunity. He decided to move back, bringing his passion for free markets, the rule of law, and individual responsibility with him. “There is so much more I can do in Honduras than I could ever do elsewhere,” he said. Read more Achiever Spotlights here.

The Pope Foundation’s new Grantee Profile focuses on the Jesse Helms Center: No compendium of influential conservatives from the 20th century is complete without “Senator No” — Jesse Helms. First elected in 1972 to represent North Carolina in the U.S. Senate, Helms was a mainstay of the conservative movement over the following three decades. He aided President Ronald Reagan and others in battling communism abroad and favored free markets and traditional values at home. Never far from controversy, Helms was heralded by the political right and demonized by the political left. Yet both sides agreed on one thing: Helms always was true to his principles. 2013 marks the 40th anniversary of Helms being sworn in as a U.S. senator. Even four decades later, his impact continues to be felt. Furthering that impact, and preserving his legacy, is the mission ofthe Jesse Helms Center, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Headquartered just outside Charlotte, North Carolina, the Jesse Helms Center’s purpose is to promote traditional American values and the principles upon which our nation was founded. This is accomplished through education, public policy promotion, and historical preservation, with a special emphasis on reaching young people. That youth-centric mission is meant to honor the legacy, and the memory, of Sen. Helms, who passed away on July 4, 2008. Read more Grantee Profiles here.