The Amy and Brian France Help Shine a Spotlight on Mecklenburg County Nonprofits - and YOU Can Help Them Give Away $60K in 2020
The Amy and Brian France Help Shine a Spotlight on Mecklenburg County Nonprofits -
and YOU Can Help Them Give Away $60K in 2020
Written By Michelle Boudin
Philanthropy is an important part of Amy and Brian Frances’ lives. The couple started the Luke and Meadow Foundation, named after their twins, in 2011 to support organizations that provide children in the U.S., and around the world, with access to medical care, educational opportunities and other essential needs. Their generosity has made a real impact in the lives of children and in 2015 and 2019, Amy and Brian France were honored at the nationally-acclaimed Angel Ball in New York City for their contributions to pediatric cancer research. With the introduction of a new endeavor in 2019, Amy and Brian France Foundation, the Frances are supporting a variety of causes, beginning with a large investment in Charlotte's nonprofit community.
Amy and Brian France believe that grassroots philanthropy within local communities will create deeper impact and more sustainable, long-term benefits. One of the first big moves the Foundation is making locally is supporting SHARE Charlotte’s efforts to amplify the needs of local nonprofits and their missions.
Brian France, once recognized as TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in America,
says “Since 2011, Amy and I have supported dozens of charitable organizations and our main focus has been on issues that affect children – including health, wellness and education. We decided to partner with SHARE Charlotte because of my family’s deep ties to Charlotte, a main hub for NASCAR and home to two of my children. One of the biggest challenges Amy and I face in the philanthropic realm is trying to determine where to donate our time and resources in order to make the biggest impact. What we like about SHARE Charlotte is that they bring together nonprofits in Charlotte in one place, so those looking to give back can easily find the right nonprofit or cause that speaks to them.”
The France Foundation is sponsoring SHARE’s 2020 Spotlight Series, #SpotlightOnCLT, a content series which explores an important local issue each month through the lens of their 460+ nonprofit partners, highlighting how their work is strengthening Mecklenburg County and the many opportunities the Charlotte community has to be part of the solution. The goal of the Spotlight Series is a more informed, compassionate and engaged city.
The Spotlight Series is meant to educate the Charlotte community on the important work happening in the nonprofit sector, and this new partnership with the France Foundation provides SHARE with additional resources to further amplify this content.
Amy France says, “The Spotlight Series is terrific because it focuses on a different cause each month. Our goal has always been to maximize the impact of our efforts to help as many people in need as we can. This program touches on everything from foster care to elderly care and the environment – all causes that speak to us. We are honored to lend support to organizations in Charlotte that will be featured as part of SHARE's Spotlight Series.”
And support is not all they will be lending. In addition to presenting this year’s Spotlight content, the France’s have pledged an additional $60,000 – money that will be given away as twelve $5,000 gifts to Spotlight-featured nonprofits throughout the year.
Each month, SHARE will invite the community to vote online and through social media for one Spotlight nonprofit to be awarded the $5,000 gift. The nonprofit with the most votes at the end of the month wins!
“Thanks to the generosity of Amy and Brian France, we get to invite our Charlotte neighbors to help give their money away!” says SHARE Charlotte’s Executive Director Amy Jacobs. “Each Spotlight month will focus on a different group of local organizations, and those organizations get to harness the power of social media and digital promotions to rally their supporters to vote for them.”
Jacobs adds “It is really exciting that the France Foundation wants to include the community in giving away this money, and having such a big name attached to it further validates the work Charlotte nonprofits are doing and the stories they’re telling.”
In January, SHARE’s Spotlight was focused on financial literacy and all of SHARE’s platforms featured carefully curated content profiling the 14 local nonprofits that serve in this space. February's Spotlight is on Developmental Disabilities, and other topics that will be explored this year include social capital, volunteerism and community-wide giving.
Brian France says, “By partnering with SHARE Charlotte to present #SpotlightOnCLT, we underscore our long-term commitment to those in need in Charlotte.” For more information on this partneship, click here.
Vote now to help direct February’s gift to a local nonprofit that provides resources and opportunities to individuals with developmental disabilities as part of this month’s Spotlight Series.