Corporate Partners & Board Members Honored with Spirit of North Carolina Awards
The Spirit of North Carolina Award offers United Ways in NC communities an opportunity to honor organizations whose United Way campaigns exemplify the “spirit” of their community. United Way of North Carolina leads the award nomination and judging process and presents the award annually.
United Way of North Carolina announced 2022 Spirit of North Carolina Awards with winners in the following categories: Peggy Brookhouse and Scott Vaughn for United Way Community Ambassador, Grant Thornton and McGuireWoods for Impactful & Engaging Campaign Event or Activity and Lowe’s for Investment in Long-Term Sustainable Impact. Each honoree has modeled a dedication to community service through their fundraising, volunteer, and advocacy efforts.
United Way of North Carolina’s annual Spirit of North Carolina Award celebrates organizations for their exemplary partnership demonstrated through fundraising and volunteer efforts, outstanding leadership, and creative team building. Additionally, organizations focusing on DEI values and individuals who are champions of United Way are celebrated. On March 1-3, United Way of North Carolina recognized 74 winners representing 17 local United Ways at three regional events.
“The Spirit of North Carolina Award shines a light on our incredible partners, who are supporting United Way’s work and constantly helping us achieve our goals,” said United Way of Greater Charlotte Chief Development Officer Clint Hill. “Congratulations to all the winners who have made a huge impact in the lives of our neighbors across the state.”
Peggy Brookhouse was recognized for the fully engaged leadership she has provided on United Way’s Board of Directors for five years; Chair in 2022 and Vice-Chair in 2021. She has also been instrumental in United Way’s place-based work by serving on both the Executive, Nominating and Governance committee and the Community Investment Committee. Peggy consistently supports United Way while also pushing the organization to think differently, creatively and boldly.
Scott Vaughn was recognized for his ability to go beyond the requirements of his role and commit himself fully to causes. In his tenure at McGuireWoods law firm, he helped build a philanthropic culture and was able to help secure a $500,000 foundation grant to support United Way’s place-based neighborhood revitalization initiative. He has served on both the Regional Board of Directors and Regional Campaign Cabinet, including terms as Chair of both.
Grant Thornton was recognized for their 2022 “lunch and learn” Workplace Campaign kick-off event that fostered connection and created conversations around the mission of United Way. Director of Community Initiatives Jamese Ivy and Chief Development Officer Clint Hill shared an overview of United Way’s place-based work and its importance in the community to over 80 employees, resulting in questions, engaging conversations, and ultimately increasing their campaign success by $8,500.
McGuireWoods was recognized for their continued generous support and their efforts to participate in place-based work in Charlotte. After hearing from United Way President and CEO Laura Yates Clark and Lakeview Neighborhood Alliance Executive Director Jamall Kinard at their workplace campaign kickoff, McGuireWoods law firm’s managing partner established a partnership with Lakeview Neighborhood, one of United Way’s United Neighborhoods partners. The firm established a partnership with Lakeview, where their employees will invest their time in volunteering within the community, attend community events and provide pro bono legal services. Their overall employee giving went up 15%, their participation rate increased by 75%, leadership giving increased by 13% and undesignated giving to United Way increased by 26%.
Lowe’s was recognized for their $450,000 grant to United Way to transform the way our community rehouses those experiencing homelessness, through their corporate social responsibility pillar of providing Safe & Affordable Housing. Lowe’s continues to focus on addressing complex challenges in the community and truly understands the power of funding collaborative and creative solutions that create long-term, sustainable impact.
For more information about the Spirit of North Carolina Award and a complete list of winners, visit unitedwaync.org/spirit-north-carolina-award-winners.