On March 26, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry (CFL) held its much-anticipated third Annual Community Meeting at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina on Hilton Head Island. This event served as an opportunity to reflect on CFL’s initiatives and accomplishments of the past year, while also celebrating the individuals and organizations that are making a significant impact in the Lowcountry. The evening’s theme, “Local Impact, Lasting Change,” resonated with the near-capacity crowd eager to share in the celebration.
For more than 30 years, Community Foundation of the Lowcountry has been a cornerstone of charitable giving in the region. With a dedicated staff of 12 individuals, CFL administers more than 540 charitable funds, representing more than $110 million in philanthropic capital.
Keynote Speaker Carrie Cook, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
The event, which was free to the public, was a resounding success, filled with inspiration and a deep sense of gratitude for the collaborative spirit that defines the Lowcountry. Attendees were treated to a program that featured a lineup of distinguished guest speakers and the presentation of the Joan and Wade Webster Community Impact Award.
WSAV-TV news anchor Andrew Davis hosted the event with his signature warmth, humor, and enthusiasm, and set the tone for the evening. CFL was excited to have Presenting Sponsor Novant Health onboard this year, and Ryan Lee, president of Coastal Carolina Hospital, provided brief comments about Novant’s commitment to the region.
Guest Speakers – A’Nya Marshburn, Kristin Dubrowski, and Carrie Cook
Scott Wierman, president and CEO of Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, delivered an informative year in review presentation. Wierman highlighted CFL’s achievements over the past year, made possible through the support of donors, nonprofit partners, and the broader community. These accomplishments reflected CFL’s ongoing commitment to lead philanthropic efforts that address critical needs in the Lowcountry, from affordable workforce housing to nonprofit capacity.
Presenting Sponsor Novant Health’s Ryan Lee
The keynote address was delivered by Carrie Cook, vice president of community development and community affairs officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. In her presentation, titled “Catalyzing Community Development,” Cook shared valuable insights into how local communities can harness their collective resources to drive sustainable economic growth and social progress. She also highlighted the significant role that organizations like CFL play in fostering long-term solutions to complex societal challenges. Cook reinforced the idea that true community development requires collaboration, innovation, and a positive vision for the future.
Community Foundation of the Lowcountry President and CEO Scott Wierman
In addition to the keynote address, the evening featured two remarkable speakers whose work epitomizes the theme of “Local Impact, Lasting Change.”
Kristin Dubrowski, CEO of Hopeful Horizons, an organization based in Beaufort that serves as a children’s advocacy, domestic violence, and rape crisis center, spoke passionately about her experience, the origins of Hopeful Horizons, and the importance of nonprofit leadership training programs offered at CFL. Dubrowski emphasized how nonprofit organizations are critical in providing essential services and programs to those in need.
Guest Speaker Kristin Dubrowski, Hopeful Horizons
Dubrowski also shared her excitement about CFL’s Ekedahl Center for Nonprofit Excellence, which debuted in the fall of 2024 due to the generosity of Dave and Patty Ekedahl, and encouraged nonprofits to take advantage of the center’s programs and workshops offered throughout the year. Dubrowski’s powerful message underscored the importance of education, mentorship, and leadership development in creating positive change and sustainability in the nonprofit community.
Keynote Speaker Carrie Cook, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
A’Nya Marshburn, community program manager at the Lowcountry Autism Foundation, captivated the audience with her speech about the positive impact CFL-administered scholarships had on her academic career, specifically the Krum Foundation Scholarship, and how she is now paying it forward to the Lowcountry community. As a Krum scholar, which provides funding support throughout the recipients’ entire post-secondary academic journey, Marshburn earned two bachelor’s degrees at the University of North Carolina and a master’s in social work from Columbia University by the age of 23.
Guest Speaker A’Nya Marshburn, Lowcountry Autism Foundation
It’s not often that people leave an area and return, especially at a young age, but Marshburn knew that she wanted to come back to the Lowcountry to give back to the community that raised her. She eventually landed at Lowcountry Autism Foundation, with which she was familiar because her young godson had recently been diagnosed with autism. She saw it as a sign. By the end of her presentation, the audience understood how fortunate the Lowcountry is to have Marshburn back home.
Joan and Wade Webster Community Impact Award Winner Kaye Black
Perhaps the most emotional moment of the evening was the presentation of the Joan and Wade Webster Community Impact Award. The Websters, longtime supporters of the organization, created the award with CFL to recognize an individual who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to charitable work in CFL’s service area of Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties. This year, the honor was bestowed upon Kaye Black, a well-known figure in the Lowcountry philanthropic community.
Kristin Dubrowski speaks to the crowd
Black’s recent contributions to several organizations, including Volunteers in Medicine, Port Royal Community Charitable Fund, Women in Philanthropy, and First Presbyterian Church of Hilton Head, have made her a pillar of community service. Black delivered a heartfelt speech that recognized both the importance of nonprofits that provide support for those in need, and the generous Lowcountry philanthropic community.
Wade and Joan Webster, Kaye Black, and CFL Board Chair Lynn Jennings Taylor
Black was awarded a $10,000 grant to distribute to local organizations of her choosing. She selected Volunteers in Medicine, The Children’s Center, and the Deep Well Project, all of which serve Hilton Head Island and the surrounding communities.
Following the program, a networking reception sponsored by Dividend Assets Capital was held in the Arts Center lobby, and included CFL donors, business leaders, public officials, and nonprofit representatives. It gave attendees, including CFL staff and board members, the opportunity to interact with individuals committed to charitable endeavors that make the community, and all of its residents, stronger.
CFL’s Annual Community Meeting was a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of philanthropy on the Lowcountry.
Annual CommunityMeeting Audience
