The Gift of Time
Beverly Ward gives her time and talents to groups that match her motivation
Long before Beverly Ward became known for philanthropy, she was giving a valuable resource to others: time. As newlyweds in Houston, she and her husband, Marvin, worked with youth through Upward Bound. Once they had children of their own, Beverly started a kids’ club in Allentown, Pennsylvania. “I was looking to provide connections with kids who looked like us,” she says. “We organized educational and fun events to provide that connection and build community.” The common thread has always been causes close to her heart. Now, as one of Greenville’s most treasured leaders, she is the recipient of the Community Foundation’s Ruth Nicholson Award.
Marvin’s job brought the family to the Greenville area from Upstate New York more than two decades ago, but it would be a while before she could get involved with local organizations. Her career spans 40 years of process engineering, human process improvement, and large-scale program management. “When I was working, I was all over the world,” she says. “When I retired, I definitely wanted to learn more about the community I had lived in since 2002.”
After holding senior positions with notable corporations such as IBM, Ward co-founded Talent Management Inc., a consulting practice that helped clients develop the workforce they needed to meet their goals. Naturally, she is a proponent of matching the right person with the right opportunity, and she found hers with the Community Foundation, where she began serving on the public relations committee in 2015.
The stage was set in 2013 when Ward joined Greenville Women Giving (GWG), a special initiative of the foundation. “I was completely enamored by the women-led, collective giving model,” she says. “GWG was my launchpad to get more involved and to want to learn more about Greenville County. This in turn led me to get involved with the Community Foundation and to build on that with other efforts.”
Ward says part of the foundation’s appeal is its “broad stroke,” meaning they touch many segments of the population; however, she’s been able to develop strong relationships with representatives of various nonprofits and follow their progress closely. Currently a board member, she is also co-chair of GWG, which has its own grant program and process. “It’s gratifying to see the difference people can make with less stress and more support and to learn from them as I go,” she says. “Philanthropy is a phenomenal platform for giving or investing in one’s community. It is equally a platform for learning about places, people, and things that surround you, as well as learning more about yourself. I hope that never stops for me.”
To anyone looking to get started, Ward says volunteerism is a public effort that must be backed by personal passion. Calling Greenville one of the most generous places she has ever known, she credits organizations like GWG, the Community Foundation of Greenville, and Prisma Health Upstate for allowing her to follow her interests and stay motivated. “Motivation is the key. If it seems like a burden, it probably will be,” she says, adding that volunteerism should not be a means of gaining recognition. “If you do it for the wrong reasons, it will be just another event or meeting. I’ve chosen the things that make me happy, and I’m fortunate that I get to be inspired by the dedication of others.”
Winning Ways
- Beverly Ward says the consultant in her is perfectly suited for Greenville Women Giving (GWG), a special initiative of the Community Foundation she co-chairs, because she likes the “line of sight” from the grant application process to the impact of GWG’s actions.
- Ward’s advice for anyone looking to volunteer in the community: “Find the thing that motivates you.” From the arts to the environment, education, or health care, she emphasizes that passion translates to commitment.
- Although she laughs when asked if she’s athletic, Ward serves as a mentor for the women’s basketball program at Furman University. She is inspired by the student athletes’ “phenomenal dedication” and seeks to match it with her energy and expertise.
Click here to learn more about the Ruth Nicholson Award and the other Charitable Giving Awards.