Greenville First Steps Recognized for Nonprofit Excellence

GREENVILLE, SC – April 3, 2013  – The South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations (SCANPO) announced Greenville First Steps as the 2013 recepient of the Erin Hardwick Award. The award was presented at the annual nonprofit summit that was held in Greenville. 

Photo at right: Madeleine McGee (SCANPO President), Sally Ehrenfried (Balckbaud),Derek Lewis (Greenville First Steps Executive Director), Beth Jamieson(Greenville First Steps Community Resource Director), Anita Case (2012Winner, Catawba Care)

The Erin Hardwick Award is given to nonprofits that know that making a real difference means taking the time to build an effective foundation for organizational success, said Anita Case, chairwoman on the Erin Hardwick selection committee. Greenville First Steps excelled among a qualified field of applicants. Their excellent management and governance practices not only help them accomplish their mission, but also position them for years of achievement. 

Greenville First Steps is a local nonprofit that uses state, federal, and private funds to support evidence-based programs to measurably improve school readiness outcomes for children. It acheives their goals by creating partnerships to help fund programs within public and private organizations (including churches, schools, neighborhoods, childcare providers, and business).

Greenville First Steps works to strengthen community collaborations to help children enter school on track and ready to succeed, said Derek Lewis, Executive Director, We are so thrilled to have our collaborative spirit recognized by SCANPO.

Since its inception in 1999, First Steps has helped nearly 340,000 of South Carolina’s youngest children and their families get ready for school. As the state’s only entity focused exclusively on increasing school readiness, First Steps fcuses on five broad stragety areas: early education, parent/family involvement, quality child chare, children’s health initiatives, and school transition assistance.

SCANPO’s annual conference brings together more than 450 nonprofit volunteers and leaders from across the state. The winners of SCANPO’s annual awards exemplify the broad reach and incredible depth of commitment that the state’s nonprofit sector provides our citizens. 

For more information about Greenville First Steps, visit www.greenvillefirststeps.org.