Philanthropic network launches to strengthen local nonprofits
- Staff Reports
- Aug 11
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 12
A new collaborative effort, the Cleveland County Philanthropic Network (CCPN), has been established to advance the capacity, sustainability, and collective action of nonprofit organizations serving Cleveland County.
The Cleveland County Philanthropic Network brings together a coalition of local non-fundraising grantmakers and community conveners committed to working collaboratively to better serve the nonprofit community. Members of CCPN include: Dover Foundation, Hospice Cleveland County Foundation, Catawba Nation Foundation, Healthy Together Cleveland, Albemarle Corporation, and the Cleveland County Community Foundation (Foundation for The Carolinas).
“This collaborative is about more than funding—it’s about creating opportunities for local nonprofits to strengthen relationships, share knowledge, while also learning about the challenges and opportunities within our community,” said Emily Arey, speaking on behalf of the CCPN.
“We believe our community is strongest when nonprofits are empowered to work together and share knowledge that benefits all.”
Arey added, “There is a tremendous amount of good work being done by nonprofit organizations in Cleveland County, and we are grateful that our boards also recognize the exceptional value in routinely bringing nonprofit organizations together.”
“In other communities we serve, collaborative networks like this have helped nonprofits break down silos, share resources and build lasting partnerships. We are excited to see that same spirit of connection taking root in Cleveland County,” said Rhonda Dean from Foundation for The Carolinas.
As part of its mission, CCPN will host its first major initiative, ‘Empower Together: An Engagement Workshop,’ on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This invite-only event is open exclusively to nonprofit organizations serving Cleveland County and will provide nonprofit leaders with a morning of professional development, peer exchange, and networking.
The workshop will feature two interactive sessions: Community Voice led by Helen Hope Kimbrough, Senior Director, Next Stage Consulting Budgeting to Empower led by Tina Cheney, Finance Director, Catawba Nation Foundation.
This free annual workshop will provide nonprofit leaders the opportunity to:
· Learn new strategies to enhance organizational effectiveness.
· Collaborate with peers to address shared challenges.
· Network to build strong, lasting partnerships.
Registration opens Monday, August 25, 2025. To confirm your nonprofit organization’s eligibility or to learn more about the event, please contact Emily Arey at emily@hospiceccfoundation.org or Amanda Gragg at, agragg@doverfdn.org.
The Cleveland County Philanthropic Network is a collaborative of local non-fundraising grantmakers and community conveners working to strengthen Cleveland County’s nonprofit organizations through strategic professional development and community-focused engagement.
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