JOHN WILLIAM POPE FOUNDATION

NEWS RELEASE

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

ATTENTION:News Directors, Assignment Editors CONTACT:David Riggs

Business and Philanthropy Reporters(919) 871-3322

The Pope Foundation Contributes Over $1,000,000 to Local Community Non-Profits

Art Pope, President of the John William Pope Foundation, announced today that the Foundation’s board has approved $1,014,500 in local grants, primarily awarded to arts, religious, youth, humanitarian, and educational organizations.  During the fall/winter grant cycle, the Pope Foundation focuses its efforts on the local community, seeking to fund groups that strive to advance the well being of citizens in Wake, Vance, and other surrounding counties.  Many of the organizations, such as the Raleigh Rescue Mission, Urban Ministries of Wake County, Alliance Medical Ministry, and Habitat for Humanity, focus on alleviating poverty, poor health, and housing deficiencies.  Others, like the NC Opera, Ballet, Theatre, Symphony, and Performance Edge, build cultural depth within the community.

Other notable grantees include but are not limited to: Central YMCA, Occoneechee Council - Boy Scouts of America, Ravenscroft School, Raleigh Charter High School, Full Gospel Tabernacle, Shepherd’s Table, and the H. Leslie Perry Memorial Library in Henderson, NC.  A complete alphabetical listing of the Pope Foundation’s December 2009 grants follows.

The John William Pope Foundation is a private, family foundation, supported by the late John W. Pope, Sr., of Raleigh, North Carolina, his wife, Joyce W. Pope, and their children:  Art Pope of Raleigh, North Carolina, Amanda Pope of Citra, Florida, and their late son, John William Pope, Jr.  Total grants awarded throughout all cycles in 2009 equal $9,600,253, which includes a $300,000 donation of a $1.2 million pledge to Campbell University’s Law School in downtown Raleigh.

The Pope Foundation receives additional support from the family’s business, Variety Wholesalers, Inc., which owns and operates Roses, Maxway, Super 10, and other discount stores, and holds its offices and distribution centers in Raleigh and Henderson, North Carolina.

December Grantees:

Alliance Medical Ministry

American Foundation for the Prevention of Suicide

American Red Cross-Triangle Chapter

Asheville School

Barium Springs Home for Children

Blessed Sacrament School

Carolina Ballet

Cat Angels Pet Adoptions Inc.

Centers, The

Disabilities Education Support Center

Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC

Full Gospel Tabernacle

Godwin Presbyterian Church

H. Leslie Perry Memorial Library

Habitat for Humanity of Wake County

Helping Horse

Henderson YMCA

Hospice of Wake County Foundation

Interfaith Food Shuttle

Junior Achievement

Junior Women’s League/Fuquay-Varina

Lifeline Outreach, Inc.

NC Girl Scouts

NC Opera Company

NC Symphony

NC Theater

NC Youth Legislative Assembly Administration

Oak Ranch Foster Home

Occoneechee Council, Boy Scouts

Pennsylvania Institute of Technology

Performance Edge

Poe Center for Health Education

Prevent Child Abuse NC

Raleigh Charter High School 

Raleigh Fine Arts Society

Raleigh Rescue Mission 

Ravenscroft School

Reach Out Rocky Mount

Safe Haven for Cats

Salvation Army of Wake County 

Shepherd's Table

United Way of Vance County

Urban Ministries of Wake County

Vance County Historical Society

Virginia Episcopal School

White Memorial Presbyterian Church

YMCA of Central Raleigh

YWCA