CityView Magazine

March 2020

CityView Magazine - Fayetteville, NC

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34 | March 2020 Bank. She came to First Union aer working as a hedge analyst for a New York City commodities company. Before that, she worked as a student fellow in the Peggy Guggenheim Art Museum in Venice, Italy. Despite having enjoyed a brief international and big city lifestyle, Holmes returned to Fayetteville and her roots: her mother and father, and her four siblings. Holmes grew up on Pugh Street, in a house in which her mother had lived since childhood. She recalls having ponies and rabbits in her backyard, and playing with neighborhood childhood friends until the streetlights came on. Outside was the place to be; watching television was a rare event. She attended Alma Easom Elementary School, which was then Westlawn Elementary. She went on to attend Terry Sanford High School, Wake Forest University for her undergraduate degree and to UNC Chapel Hill to round out her education with an MBA. Bryan said Holmes was the perfect fit for the fledgling foundation. "We were young as an organization, just starting out and we didn't even have $1 million in assets," Bryan said. "We were looking for somebody known in this community who could turn to the community to raise assets. People knew Mary and they knew her family," Bryan said. Bryan said the board was also impressed that Holmes had opted to return to Fayetteville aer having lived in Venice and in New York City. Too few young people who leave Fayetteville return here to live, she said. But more importantly, Bryan said, Holmes had the right assortment of skills and a passion for doing something for her community. She also knew who in the community to contact in her efforts to build the foundation. "What she didn't know, she would pick up from other community foundations." Since 1980, CCF has awarded more than $59 million in grants and scholarships. During the same period, the foundation received more than $123 million. ose gis range from $2 money orders to a $10 million estate gi. Despite being a low-wealth county – one of the 44 most distressed counties in North Carolina based on unemployment, median household income, and tax base – people in Cumberland County like to give. Cumberland County is one of the most generous in North Carolina, said Holmes, citing a 2014 report on How America Gives. "We have amazing people, very generous. We're a community that wants to help itself." In 1980, earnings were zero. In 1990 they were $2.5 million, and in 10 years jumped to $17.3 million. In 2010, assets totaled $42.3 million, which more than doubled in 2020 to $103.5 million. Although Holmes is knowledgeable in banking and economics, foundation funds are managed by an investment committee and financial consultants. She readily credits her 21-member board for much of the foundation's success. "We have a really strong board," she said. "Board members wear different hats. Choosing the right board members is one of the most important things we do. Nothing is willy-nilly around here." Board members are nominated and chosen based on a matrix, which includes location, racial diversity, character and skill sets. e board follows a two- page instruction sheet that outlines the desired attributes of prospective board members or volunteers. SPECIAL PRICING 12 issues delivered to your door $24.00 Subscribe online at www.city viewnc.com To charge by phone call 910-423-6500 FREE DIGITAL ACCESS! FEBRUARY 2020 CITYVIEW THE VALENTINE'S ISSUE C i t y V i e w Mar ch 2020 F ayetteville 's Lifest yle M a g azi ne | www . Cit yVi e wNC.com MARCH MADNESS MUNCHIES WOMEN IN BUSINESS YARDS OF SISTERHOOD MARCH 5 - 22 BOOK AND MUSIC BY JOE KINOSIAN BOOK AND LYRICS BY KELLEN BLAIR DIRECTED BY LAURA JOSEPHER BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW! CFRT.ORG OR 910.323.4233 HOLD YOUR BREATH & BRACE YOUR FUNNY BONES! MARCH 5 - 22 THANK YOU TO OUR SEASON SPONSORS:

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