COVID-19 Relief & Recovery Fund of Coastal Community Foundation awards more than $640K to nonprofits in coastal SC, raises more than $2.1 million
May 26, 2020
Coastal Community Foundation and its regional partners in the COVID-19 Relief & Recovery Fund are pleased to announce that more than $2.1 million has been raised since the fund’s inception, and $641,745 has been awarded so far to nonprofits across coastal South Carolina to support communities impacted by the pandemic.
The funds have been deployed to 59 grantees serving all nine coastal counties since the fund was established two months ago on March 18. About half of the funds — or 49 percent— have been awarded to nonprofits distributing free meals and supplies to residents in need. About 35 percent of funds so far have been awarded to nonprofits providing financial assistance, which is helping many people pay rent and utility bills.
The fund has now raised $2.15 million in donations since its inception, with the fund balance now at $1.5 million. Donations continue to be accepted and grantmaking is ongoing. Every dollar is going directly to the nonprofits working on providing medical care, food access, financial support and more.
The awards in six rounds of grants so far have been distributed rather evenly across the three regions of Coastal Community Foundation’s service area, with:
- $189,000 awarded in the Tri-County area of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties;
- $175,500 awarded in the Southern Lowcountry region of Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton and Colleton counties;
- $218,485 awarded in the Waccamaw region of Horry and Georgetown counties;
- $62,000 awarded to nonprofits serving all nine coastal counties.
Coastal Community Foundation and its partners would like to extend a special thank you to South State Bank for its recent contribution of $100,000 to the fund, and to the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation for its contribution of $150,000.
“Whenever there’s a crisis in South Carolina, nonprofits do what it takes to quickly meet the increased needs in their communities — despite any financial or operational challenges they face,” said Darrin Goss, President and CEO of Coastal Community Foundation. “That’s why we are so grateful for all those who have donated to the COVID-19 Relief & Recovery Fund, so that we can continue to support the many organizations stepping up for South Carolinians in this incredibly difficult time.”
Provided photo caption: “Second Helpings, one of the COVID-19 Relief & Recovery Fund grantees, is providing food distribution in Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties.”
About the COVID-19 Relief & Recovery Fund
The Covid-19 Relief & Recovery Fund is a regional, collaborative effort led by Coastal Community Foundation and supported by Black River United Way, the Chapin Foundation, Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation, the Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Social Venture Partners Charleston, Trident United Way, United Way of Horry County, United Way of the Lowcountry and Waccamaw Community Foundation.
This fund is designed to make grants only to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and groups fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) organization. This is a rolling process, and applications will be accepted as they come in. Donations can be made securely online with a credit card here.
Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create vibrant communities by uniting people and investing resources across Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry and Jasper counties. Through our tools for long-term charitable giving, we help individuals, families, businesses and organizations be the reason why communities thrive in the nine counties we serve along South Carolina’s coast. To learn more, visit coastalcommunityfoundation.org or call (843) 723-3635.
