Empower Charleston

06/12/2026

📣 Please join us for our next Empower Charleston Partner Recruiting Event on June 25th at the Coastal Community Foundation!

RSVP Here: https://forms.gle/FJdjrkME3LBzLQPCA

05/13/2026

We wrapped up our site visits with a rainy but memorable morning at the Urban Farm at Enston Home, where we met with The Green Heart Project’s Executive Director Jesse Blom, Program Director Erin Snow, Director of Development Alexandra Booker, Operations Director Kimberly Perrineau-Jackson, and Board President Lucy Davis — and had the opportunity to see sixth graders from James Simons Montessori School in action tending the farm and picking fresh strawberries. 🍓🌱

We learned more about Green Heart’s work using gardens and urban farming as tools for education, youth development, and community connection. Through hands-on learning experiences, Green Heart is helping students build healthy habits, environmental awareness, and meaningful connections to food and community.

Thank you to the entire Green Heart team for welcoming us to the farm and for the inspiring work you are doing to grow connection, opportunity, and community through food and education.💚

05/11/2026

Last week, we had the pleasure of meeting with Executive Director Lindsey Ballenger, Director of Training Catherine Hagberg, and Board Chair Tony Tripeny to learn more about the Lowcountry Literacy Project’s work advancing literacy outcomes through evidence-based teacher training and coaching. 📚✨

We heard how LLP is equipping educators with the tools, training, and ongoing support needed to deliver effective literacy instruction aligned with the science of reading. By investing in teachers, LLP is helping create long-term, system-wide change that strengthens outcomes for students across the Lowcountry.

Thank you to the LLP team for the inspiring conversation and for the incredible impact you are making for both educators and students throughout our community. 👏💙

05/08/2026

We kicked off our site visits in April with a fantastic morning at Morningside Middle School in North Charleston, where we met with Executive Director Sam Clements, Director of Programming Conner Aker, Founder and Board Treasurer Carey Dunn, and Board Chair Brittany Westbrook — and had the opportunity to spend time with some of the eighth graders participating in Doors to Dream’s Pathways to Leadership program. ⭐

We learned more about Doors to Dream’s work empowering students through leadership development, mentorship, and college and career readiness programming. Their relationship-centered model supports students from middle school through high school graduation, helping young people build confidence, explore career pathways, and develop the skills needed to pursue meaningful futures.

Thank you to the Doors to Dream team for the inspiring visit and for the incredible investment you are making in students across our community.🚀✨

05/06/2026

Last week, we had the opportunity to meet with Executive Director Madison Anderson and Board Member Dr. Shakitha Barner at Charleston Progressive Academy, where we enjoyed seeing Heart Math Tutoring's volunteers and students in action. We learned more about their work providing individualized math intervention and mentorship for elementary students across Charleston County.

They shared how Heart’s one-on-one tutoring model is helping students build foundational math skills, confidence, and long-term academic success through the support of trained volunteer tutors. With plans to expand a virtual tutoring model, Heart is working to increase access for students in higher-need schools while engaging a broader network of community volunteers and corporate partners.

Thank you to the Heart team and volunteers for the meaningful impact you are making in the lives of Charleston students each and every week. 💙

04/30/2026

On Monday, we had the pleasure of meeting with CEO Sherrie Snipes and the Charleston Promise Neighborhood team during a site visit at the Mary Ford Early Learning & Family Center.

We heard from Principal Loretta Hart, Katie Hyslop, Director of Development and Marketing, Kady Preston, Director of Programs, and Board Member Mindy Sturm, who shared how CPN’s coordinated, place-based model delivers integrated support across education, health and wellness, parent engagement and workforce development. With more than 15 years as a committed neighborhood partner, their work continues to strengthen outcomes for students and families in Charleston’s Neck.📚💪

Thank you to the entire team for your time and for the engaging discussion!

04/29/2026

Last week, our Investment Committee had the pleasure of meeting with Executive Director Jacquie Berger and Board Chair Kate Schmieding at the Local Works Co-Working Space to learn more about the incredible work of Lowcountry Local First. ✨

They shared more about the Lowcountry Kiva Hub - an innovative initiative expanding access to capital for entrepreneurs through 0% interest, no-fee loans powered by community lending. By removing traditional barriers like credit scores and collateral requirements, the Kiva Hub is opening doors for small business owners across our region. 🚀

Thank you, Jacquie and Kate, for your time and for the engaging conversation. We’re inspired by your commitment to building a more inclusive and resilient local economy! 👏 💪

04/28/2026

Thank you to everyone who took the time to apply for the 2026 Empower Charleston Investment Cycle - we were truly inspired by the strength of this year’s applicant pool!

We received 44 applications from nonprofits doing meaningful and innovative work across our community. Narrowing the field to 6 was a rigorous and challenging process for our Investment Committee, reflecting the depth of talent, vision, and leadership across the Lowcountry.

We’re excited to share the 6 organizations selected to move forward as finalists in our due diligence phase.

Throughout April, our Investment Committee will be conducting site visits with each finalist - learning more about their programs, leadership, and capacity-building goals - as we determine where Empower Charleston’s support can make the greatest impact.

Stay tuned as we continue this journey toward selecting our next cohort of Investees! 🌟

Lowcountry Literacy Project
Lowcountry Local First
Heart Math Tutoring
Doors to Dream
The Green Heart Project
Charleston Promise Neighborhood

03/12/2026

📣 LAST CALL FOR APPLICATIONS!!! Apply by 5pm tomorrow, Friday March 13th!

Apply here: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=ccfsc
Access code: EMPOWER26

Empower Charleston's investment grant cycle is OPEN NOW!

Empower Charleston is a strategic partner and field-of-interest fund of CCF. Every two years, philanthropic leaders across the Tri-County invest in nonprofits that are poised for growth and meaningful impact in the region.

Selected finalists will receive training, coaching, and mentoring to strengthen their storytelling, and then present to the Empower Charleston Showcase of Nonprofits on October 22. The selected nonprofits may receive additional co-investments plus a two-year capacity-building grant.

Empower Charleston is seeking to invest in nonprofits with focus areas of Education, Mental Health & Wellness, and/or Economic Mobility.

** The deadline to apply is FRIDAY, MARCH 13 at 5 PM. **

Apply here: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=ccfsc

Interested nonprofit leaders are invited to attend an informational webinar about this grant opportunity on Friday, February 20 at 12 PM. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/QOU3-CYSRpeXHG1W_iGfzw #/registration

03/12/2026

📣 LAST CALL FOR APPLICATIONS!!! Apply by 5pm tomorrow, Friday March 13th!

Apply here: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=ccfsc Access code: EMPOWER26

📣 Apply Now: 2026 Grant Application is Open!

Empower Charleston is seeking innovative nonprofit organizations creating measurable social impact with the capacity to grow. ⭐

Focus Areas:
📚 Education
💚 Mental Health & Wellness
🚀 Economic Mobility

📅 Application Deadline:
Friday, March 13th at 5:00 PM

Apply Here: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=ccfsc

Use Code: EMPOWER26