After more than two decades spent building a business, Mark and Karen Essex were faced with a question once they sold Netalytics, a company that makes specialized software used by methadone clinics: What’s next?
Mark Essex, who developed the software, was the nuts-and-bolts guy out of Clemson, but Karen Essex was the former social worker who had the answer to their question.
“We thought Netalytics would be our legacy, but now we hope that Indigo Hope is that legacy,” Mark Essex said.
Indigo Hope Foundation is a family run, charitable organization that provides grants to organizations focused on addiction, homelessness, at-risk youth, veterans and first responders. The organization began accepting grant applications earlier this year from a variety of nonprofit organizations across the Upstate.
In early May, the foundation made an introductory announcement on its Facebook page, and by July it had awarded its first round of grants worth a total of $355,000 to 18 Upstate nonprofits.
“This is something we definitely don’t take for granted,” Karen Essex said. “We take it as a responsibility because we have been given great opportunities and resources. Our motto is to multiply hope. Our goal is to take some of the hope and the joy that we’ve been given and multiply that throughout our community.”
To do that, the couple, who live in Greer, decided to keep the band together. Kathy Asbill, who is Karen’s sister, worked with Netalytics from the beginning, and Shelby Barber, Karen’s niece, also came over from the successful software company.
“I found great fulfillment and a strong sense of accomplishment in my career in the for-profit sector,” Barber said. “However, there’s a unique joy that comes from giving back to the community and witnessing lives transformed. It is inspiring to see the impact these organizations are having on our community.”
Indigo Hope grants
Indigo Hope’s initial round of grants ranged from $250 to $100,000 and went to organizations such as the Greenville Homeless Alliance, Sammy’s Mission, Calvary Home for Children, Family Promise of Laurens County and Predestined Teen Outreach.
In June, Indigo Hope also announced a fundraising effort for Jumpstart, a faith-based ministry that provides training and services for current and former prisoners in the South Carolina Department of Corrections system.
As part of the fundraising partnership, the foundation was to match every dollar donated to Jumpstart up to $650,000 through Labor Day. The funding will help build and furnish the Indigo Hope Center in Restoration Village, a community dedicated to ensuring the ongoing success and development of Jumpstart’s “prison to society re-entry” program. It will also add three more homes to that neighborhood.
“We have a wonderful team here at Indigo Hope and I am so blessed to be a part of it,” Asbill said. “The most rewarding part for myself has been visiting nonprofits Indigo Hope has chosen to sponsor in our area. We had the opportunity to hear about their programs and how they were changing lives. In some instances, we were able to meet with participants and hear their testimonies. However, my favorite is being able to serve the program through special projects.”
Karen Essex said Indigo Hope wants to do more than simply write checks. The foundation wants to be a living part of the community.
“We do want to give financially, but we also want to give of our time and be involved by being volunteers,” she said. “Being personally involved is what makes the biggest impact on me.”
