Stories

"We wanted to make the day stand for something."

That's Edward Doughty, CFP®, owner and managing director of Epic Capital Wealth Management, on the story behind his company's #GivingTuesdayCLT contribution. As a company with strong ties to local nonprofits, Epic Capital was aware of the #GivingTuesdayCLT campaign, and the team was happy to step up financially. 

Timing was an important factor, too. "As a collective group that's heavily involved in the nonprofit space, we recognize the dependence for year-end giving," says Edward. "In many cases, a nonprofit's entire year is make-or-break dependent on November, December and January."

Edward and his team donated more than $2,500 via financial and in-kind donations to ten local and international nonprofits: Sustain Charlotte,  Apparo, Shared Interest, Kiva, GrameenUSA, Ashoka, SlowMoneyNC, Haven's Foundation, Root Capital and Goodwill. All of these nonprofits are aligned with Epic Capital's commitment to social outreach.

"Our efforts are aimed directly at families in need, the working poor, and homeless or impoverished people both locally and around the world," says Edward. 

The Epic Capital team has embedded its passion for empowering others into its corporate charter, calling it the E3: Community program. E3 stands for Epic Time, Talent and Treasure. 

Epic Capital employees give their time through the Epic Outreach program that serves local charities. They give their talent through the Epic-EDU program and their partnership with Common Wealth Charlotte, providing financial workshops to low-income families, the working poor and the previously incarcerated. And they give their treasure through their quarterly Epic Impact Grant program that aids the local community as well as global organizations.

But Epic Capital doesn't stop there. The company has found a way to help not only their clients, but people in need, through wealth management. "We really bake a lot of our passion for serving others into the work we do by creating investment portfolios that focus on sustainable, responsible and impact investing," says Edward. "We look at investment opportunities through an additional lens that qualifies and disqualifies investments based on their environmental, social and governance standards." 

Epic Capital's ability to turn its values into action is impressive, and it's helping our community in big ways. But Edward wants you to know that you don't have to run a wealth management firm to make a difference. "I encourage people to take the lead at their own companies, big or small, to create some buzz and rally their team to collectively make the biggest impact possible," says Edward. 

"Set the bar. Then look to raise it even higher next year. Our local nonprofits need your support."

Learn more about Epic Capital and the E3:Community program at EpicCapital.com. 

Grace Kennedy is a Huntersville-based writer specializing in storytelling for nonprofits. Learn more at gracekennedy.net.