The North Carolina Community Foundation convened board members from its statewide network of affiliate foundations on Sept. 19 for NCCF’s third affiliate forum.

The gathering brought affiliate board members from all eight of NCCF’s regions together in Raleigh for a day of sharing ideas on serving as community leaders, effective grantmaking, creating strong boards and promoting philanthropy.

NCCF Board Chair and Craven County Community Foundation Board Member Linda Staunch (above) welcomed affiliate leaders from across the state to the 2016 NCCF Affiliate Forum.

NCCF CEO and President Jennifer Tolle Whiteside (above) addressed the room, welcoming NCCF leadership from all eight regions to Raleigh.

Wilkes Community Foundation Board Member Michael Cooper (middle) and Edgecombe Charitable Foundation Board Member Jamila Hawkins (right) kicked off the series of discussions surrounding the Blueprint for Success with a discussion of the next generation of leaders.

Tolle Whiteside (left) joined NCCF Board Vice-Chair Jim Black (middle-left) and his family for a conversation on family philanthropy.

Beaufort-Hyde Community Foundation Board President Beth Wilder (middle) and Craven County Community Foundation Board Member Jon Segal (right) joined NCCF Director of Grants & Scholarships Leslie Ann Jackson (left) and spoke on their experiences conducting site visits for effective grantmaking.

NCCF Board Member Juan Austin encouraged affiliate leaders to continue their work to inspire philanthropy and introduced Barb Patten, Brunswick County Community Foundation board member and member of the NCCF Affiliate Impact Committee.

Patten addressed the room, sharing her experiences and wisdom on serving as a community leader and getting information into the hands of the community.

During lunch, affiliate board members had the opporutnity to collaborate around the table, discussing topics such as board recruitment, friendraisers, effective grantmaking and much more.

NCCF Director of Community Leadership Sally Migliore introduced the keynote speaker and shared her perspective as the steward of NCCF’s affiliate network and the day’s events.

Jeff Polish, executive director of The Monti, spoke on effective storytelling and shared his own story of being inspired by community philanthropy.

NCCF Affiliate Impact Committee Chair James Narron delivered final remarks, calling on board leaders to take what they’ve learned into their communities.