Empower Charleston raises more than $370K at showcase for six nonprofits

Sold-out event celebrates local nonprofits as community giving continues for one more week by texting IMPACT to 707070

Six Lowcountry nonprofits took center stage Thursday evening at Empower Charleston’s sold-out 2026 Showcase of Nonprofits, sharing their missions, accomplishments and visions for the future with a room full of community leaders and philanthropists committed to strengthening the Charleston region. Through live donations and matching gifts, Empower Charleston raised more than $370,000, bringing the total financial impact for the six nonprofits to more than $520,000 when combined with $150,000 in previously allocated grant funding.

Held at The Cedar Room in downtown Charleston, the event marked the culmination of Empower Charleston’s 2026 Investment Cycle, bringing together nonprofit leaders, local businesses and individual donors to build relationships and encourage direct investment in organizations addressing some of the region’s most pressing needs. Attendees had the opportunity to support the participating nonprofits through donations eligible for matching contributions from Empower Charleston Partners.

“These six organizations represent the kind of commitment, innovation and leadership that make our community stronger, and this is what happens when a community comes together with a shared commitment to make a difference,” said Eric Thome, chair of Empower Charleston’s Advisory Board. “Our goal is to do more than provide financial support. We want to connect nonprofit leaders with the people, expertise and resources that can help them build stronger organizations and make a lasting difference in the Lowcountry.”

The six participating nonprofits address a range of community needs, including childhood education, youth development, economic opportunity and community well-being:

• Lowcountry Literacy Project improves childhood literacy through evidence-based reading instruction and professional training and coaching for teachers.
• Doors to Dream equips middle and high school students with leadership and professional skills, confidence and connections to help them pursue their goals.
• The Green Heart Project uses school gardens and urban farms to provide hands-on learning experiences while connecting students and communities to healthy food and nature.
• Heart Math Tutoring provides one-on-one volunteer tutoring to help elementary students build foundational math skills and confidence.
• Charleston Promise Neighborhood supports children, strengthens families and expands access to education, health and career opportunities in Charleston’s Neck.
• Lowcountry Local First strengthens the regional economy by supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs through training, resources, access to funding, advocacy and connections.

For participating nonprofit leaders, the showcase offered more than an opportunity to secure financial support. It provided a platform to share their work and connect with people who can help advance their missions.

“Every organization on that stage is working to make a meaningful difference in our community, and opportunities like this help us reach people who believe in that work,” said Lindsey Ballenger, founding executive director of the Lowcountry Literacy Project. “For us, it’s about helping more children become confident readers by supporting the teachers who make that possible. We’re grateful to Empower Charleston for bringing these organizations together and giving us a platform to share our stories.”

Additional Investments and New Partners Will Expand Community Impact

Although the showcase has concluded, Empower Charleston is keeping the opportunity to contribute open for one additional week. Individuals and businesses can support the six featured nonprofits by texting IMPACT to 707070 through Friday, Oct. 30.

The showcase is part of a broader investment process that extends well beyond the event itself. Following the showcase, three of the six participating nonprofits will be selected to receive an additional $50,000 each over two years, along with nonprofit coaching and organizational support. The recipients will be announced at a later date.

Since 2009, Empower Charleston has awarded more than $1.5 million in grants to 43 Lowcountry nonprofit organizations. Through its venture philanthropy model, the organization combines financial investments with professional expertise, mentorship and relationships designed to help nonprofits strengthen their operations and expand their impact.

Building on that track record, Empower Charleston is now seeking 50 additional community partners, including individuals and businesses, to help increase its capacity to support more nonprofits throughout the region.

“We’ve seen firsthand what happens when people invest not only their financial resources, but also their time, experience and relationships,” Thome said. “That’s what makes this model so meaningful. We’re inviting 50 more community partners to join us because the more people we bring together, the more organizations we can support and the greater impact we can have across the Lowcountry.”

Individuals and businesses interested in becoming Empower Charleston Partners or learning more about future investment opportunities can visit www.empowercharleston.org.

About Empower Charleston

Founded in 2009 as Social Venture Partners, Empower Charleston is a venture philanthropy initiative operating through Coastal Community Foundation. Since its founding, Empower Charleston has awarded more than $1.5 million in grants to 43 Lowcountry nonprofit

organizations through the generosity and involvement of its community partners, including individuals and businesses. By combining financial investment, expertise and meaningful partnerships, Empower Charleston helps local nonprofits strengthen their organizations, expand their reach and create lasting community impact.

Link to video and photos from the event can be found here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GBGJhgkU2XmQ0PsOjdShrRTOIe5T4Agh?usp=sharing