By Susan Shinn
Salisbury Post
Jim Hurley is quite blunt when it comes to giving money away.
“If you made a bunch of money in the stock market, would you prefer seeing a nice building like the YMCA, or would you prefer dying with all that profit in your lock box?” the former Post publisher asks.
But he emphasizes that he’s never given money away.
“I don’t think you’re giving it away ó you’re investing it in your community,” Hurley says.
He and brother Gordon and the rest of the Hurley family have done a tremendous amount of investing in the community over the years.
Like many local families, the basis of their wealth came from Food Lion stock.
But they didn’t leave those stock certificates in the lock box.
The family is involved in four different foundations: the J.F. Hurley Family Foundation; the Hurley-Trammell Foundation, Jim and wife Gerry’s foundation; the Salisbury Community Foundation, to which Gordon and Carolyn Hurley give funds; and the Elizabeth Holmes Hurley Park Foundation, foundation responsible for the upkeep of Elizabeth Holmes Hurley Park.
Of all his philanthropic deeds, the park is closest to Hurley’s heart.
“If it’s got your mother’s name on it, you want it to be taken care of,” Hurley says.
Likewise with other entities that bear the Hurley name.
“If something has your name on it, you take an interest in it and make sure it’s maintained,” he says.
There aren’t many causes that the Hurleys have not taken an interest in. They give publicly and they give anonymously.
“We probably give away more stuff that’s not tax deductible,” Hurley says with his customary shrug.
The J.F. Hurley Foundation makes about two major gifts annually.
“We try to make a difference in at least one or two campaigns a year,” Hurley says.
The Hurley-Trammell Foundation makes numerous contributions to organizations’ operating funds. This is different from most foundations, which tend to concentrate on capital giving.
“We don’t give to churches except our own,” Hurley points out.
Hurley and his brother have their own interests.
“Catawba has been my project and the Y has been Gordon’s project,” he says, “but we give to both.”
The family also has invested heavily in Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, Rowan Regional Medical Center and Dan Nicholas Park.
“We’re committed through 2010,” he says. “But if we see a project we like, we support it. We read about what’s happening, and we’ll solicit them.”
Not only has Hurley been a donor over the years, he’s been a fundraiser.
“I’ve never taken a campaign I couldn’t make successful on my own,” he says.
“I don’t plan to fail.”
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Contact Susan Shinn at 704-797-4289 or sshinn@salisburypost.com.