<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Defining the Beaufort Listening Network</strong></p>
The Beaufort Listening Network is a volunteer group of civic leaders that keeps Coastal Community Foundation informed about philanthropy, community needs and news in the Beaufort area. Volunteers come from diverse professional backgrounds and varied personal interests, but they all share a strong commitment to philanthropy. Members of the Beaufort Listening Network are experts in local issues. Many serve as board members for local nonprofits and live or work in the Foundation’s Southern Lowcountry service region – Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton and Colleton counties. The Beaufort Listening Network had its first meeting in September 2013 and has met every six to eight weeks since. During its most recent meeting on February 26th, members focused on Lowcountry Giving Day – Coastal Community Foundation’s upcoming 24-hour online fundraiser happening on May 5th. Raising over $4 million in 2014, Lowcountry Giving Day embraces the growing trend of online giving and helps nonprofits from Beaufort to Georgetown build their capacity in online communications and fundraising.

[caption id="attachment_21471" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Philanthropy-Corner-3.5.15-BLN-Island-News-Photo.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-21471" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Philanthropy-Corner-3.5.15-BLN-Island-News-Photo-300x233.jpg" alt="George Stevens, President/CEO of Coastal Community Foundation (L), and Jim Marks, Beaufort Listening Network member and Coastal Community Foundation Board Member (R), talk after the 2/26 Beaufort Listening Network Meeting." width="300" height="233" /></a> George Stevens, President/CEO of Coastal Community Foundation (L), and Jim Marks, Beaufort Listening Network member and Coastal Community Foundation Board Member (R), talk after the 2/26 Beaufort Listening Network Meeting.[/caption]

Nineteen nonprofits in Beaufort and the surrounding areas are participating in Lowcountry Giving Day this year. Members of the Beaufort Listening Network have committed to raise support for these nonprofits by encouraging community members to give to their favorite causes and organizations in the Southern Lowcountry on May 5th. To learn more about Lowcountry Giving Day and how you can help, please visitwww.lowcountrygivingday.org.

<em>Each week, Coastal Community Foundation highlights organizations, donors and other charitable news in The Philanthropy Corner. If you’re interested in learning more about philanthropy in the Lowcountry, reach out to our regional Stewardship Officer, Gloria Duryea, at Gloria@CoastalCommunityFoundation.org or (843) 379-3400.</em>