JoAnn Turnquist announces retirement from Central Carolina Community Foundation in April 2024

Central Carolina Community Foundation (CCCF) President and CEO JoAnn Turnquist will retire this April. February 2024 marks Turnquist’s 15th anniversary at the Community Foundation. “I am thankful to our grantee partners, community organizations and leaders, philanthropy colleagues, public officials, and private business partners for supporting our work. They have been inspirational allies in upholding the Foundation’s mission and core values,” says Turnquist.

Today, the Community Foundation’s assets total nearly $220 million, and the Foundation has awarded over $270 million in grants and scholarships. Under Turnquist’s leadership, CCCF has:

• Awarded grants and scholarships totaling more than $220 million
• Established the One SC Fund, the state’s disaster recovery fund, and formed partnerships and collaborations with other foundations and nonprofit organizations to respond to natural disasters – $8.8 million in grants have been deployed through this fund since 2015
• Opened the Collaboration Zone, a gathering place for the region’s nonprofits
• Established the Foundation’s African American Philanthropy Committee
• Introduced Talk About Giving, a tool to teach children to give
• Launched Midlands Gives, a region-wide initiative that democratizes philanthropy and demonstrates the power of collective giving, that has raised over $24 million for Midlands’ nonprofit organizations since its inception in 2014

When Turnquist came to the Foundation in 2009, the Community Foundation had a staff of seven, approximately $67 million in assets, and had awarded over $50 million in grants and scholarships. “I have been fortunate to work with superb staff who have a passion for the mission of the Foundation and a commitment to excellence in their work. Together, we have transformed our organization,” shares Turnquist.

Seven current and past CCCF Board of Trustees members have been chosen to serve on a committee to select Turnquist’s successor. The search committee has engaged an outside consultant to conduct the search. Current board Chair Cory Manning, who also serves as the chair of the search committee, noted, “Having worked near and with JoAnn at Central Carolina for over a decade, I have had the privilege of watching her practice her craft in a nearly flawless manner, including doubling and (more importantly) developing the Foundation’s staff, flattening its management structure, and driving its tremendous growth. She will surely be missed and hard to replace, but she has put the Foundation in an excellent position to continue its tremendous success. That is a legacy great leaders leave.”

The Foundation’s president and CEO is confident that the committee will make the best choice for CCCF and the Midlands’ community. “Our Trustees have worked closely with me and our talented staff to ensure that our mission and strategic plan has always guided the Foundation’s philanthropy, programming, and leadership in the community,” says Turnquist.

Turnquist is grateful for the opportunity to serve the Midlands of South Carolina. “It has been a tremendous honor to lead the Foundation,” says Turnquist.

About Central Carolina Community Foundation

Central Carolina Community Foundation, the Midlands’ leader in collaborative philanthropy, is a nonprofit organization serving 11 counties in the Midlands of South Carolina by distributing grants and scholarships and linking the resources of donors, nonprofits and area leaders to communities in need. Major initiatives include the online giving challenge Midlands Gives, Connected Communities grants, the One SC Fund and annual scholarships. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.yourfoundation.org or call (803) 254-5601.