The 900,000 people of Western North Carolina are poised to benefit substantially from the very large foundation created by the sale of Mission Hospital to HCA. In addition, separate legacy foundations will become significant funders in five rural communities served by HCA hospitals. All are starting out with the intention of affecting the Social Determinants of Health. In Cutting Edge Philanthropy: Bringing Community to the Table national philanthropic leaders will share ideas from their regions about employing philanthropy to ensure transformative change. Local leaders will reflect on how their communities can prepare for the unprecedented opportunity by starting now to build the community aspirations, vision, leadership, and capacity that will be needed to use the new resources wisely. The Health Equity Coalition, in partnership with Olli at the Reuter Center and SEARCH, is sponsoring the forum to set the stage for WNC to make the most of this exceptional opportunity.

Who should attend: Who should attend: Anyone interested in the future of the region is encouraged to attend this open meeting. Foundations, nonprofits and government agencies focusing on one or more of the social determinants of health will benefit from knowing about new and distinctive approaches for setting priorities and making decisions. Educators, community leaders, community organizers, and religious leaders will learn transformative approaches to making decisions for and with the communities they represent. Elected officials and economic development professionals will learn how foundation funding can change lives in their constituency.

Those responsible for the development of the Dogwood Health Trust and the Legacy Foundations, including board members and staff, have been invited to be at the forum and in the conversation. In this seminal moment, it is critical that communities bring their voices forward in defining the purpose, structure and use of resources by the Dogwood Health Trust and the regional legacy foundations. The forum is a chance to be part of that process.

Date: Friday, May 24, 8:45 am - 12: 30 pm

Location: Reuter Center, UNC-Asheville. Parking is available at the Reuter Center and throughout campus.

Cutting Edge Philanthropy is sponsored by OLLI.

Click here to register.

Tentative Schedule:

Panel 1: Conversion Foundations: A mandate from the people

Panel Moderator: Allen Smart, Consultant, formerly with Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust

Main Speaker: Brenda Solorzano, CEO of Headwaters Foundation of Montana

Respondents:

· Jen Nixon, Ph.D., CEO of Reidsville Area Foundation, Reidsville, NC

· Tom Keith, CEO, Sisters of Charity Foundation, Columbia, SC

Panel 2: The Foundation as Catalyst for Change