“Please do NOT attend!”

That is the message from the Robeson County Community Foundation board of directors, who are “hosting” their fourth annual Phantom Ball fundraiser.

“The community has shown a lot of support for this fundraiser,” said R D Locklear, Robeson County Community Foundation board president. “Instead of having to rent a tux and spend a lot of money on food and decorations, we are asking people ‘attend’ by making a donation to the Robeson County Unrestricted Endowment Fund. Contributions are fully tax-deductible, and folks know they are helping a lot of nonprofits in Robeson County”, he said.

“Local residents have increased their giving every year,” which helps the Robeson County Community Foundation support even more nonprofits through the annual, competitive grant application process.”

This year the Robeson County Community Foundation board of directors will be sending more than 350 “invitations” to past supporters and other Robeson County residents.  “Many of our donors really like the Phantom Ball concept, and they thanked us for making it so easy for them to support the Foundation,” said Locklear.

The Robeson County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation, was established in 2005 to assist individuals, families and nonprofits in building long-term financial resources for charitable purposes.  Since then, it has made more than $27,000 in grants to local charities through its annual, competitive grant process.  Past grant recipients include Lumberton Rescue & EMS, the Town of Fairmont Senior Resources, the Pembroke Housing Authority, the Red Springs Historical Museum, the Robeson County Church & Community Center, the Robeson Health Care Corporation, and the Robeson County Partnership for Children.
In addition to the Robeson County Unrestricted Endowment Fund, the Robeson County Community Foundation administers 16 additional endowment funds with a combined asset value of more than half a million dollars.

“These local endowment funds are permanent assets that support many local organizations that benefit the citizens of Robeson County,” said Locklear.  “We add all the money we raise from the Phantom Ball to the Robeson County Unrestricted Endowment Fund, which increases the amount of money we have each year for grants to local nonprofits.”

Robeson County Community Foundation board members include:  R D Locklear, President; Abe Marshall, President-Elect; Dr. Annette Burke; James Byrne; Bruce Huggins; Susie Jones; Bryan Maynor; Dr. James Parker; Maria Parker; Sylvia Pate; Lenore Taylor and Ken Windley. For more information about the Robeson County Community Foundation’s 2013 Phantom Ball, please contact R D Locklear at 910-816-8730.