SC Ports awards $128,500 in grants to nonprofits, organizations
December 2, 2019
S.C. Ports Authority awarded $128,500 in grants to 71 charitable organizations through its annual Community Giving Program.
The program provides grants to organizations in regions where S.C. Ports operates with the goal of positively impacting maritime commerce, economic development, environmental awareness, community outreach, education and workforce development efforts.
S.C. Ports is providing more funding to more organizations than ever before through its fiscal year 2020 grants.
“Our continued growth and success as an economic development engine for South Carolina enables us to support charitable organizations through our Community Giving Program,” S.C. Ports Authority President and CEO Jim Newsome said. “Our grant recipients work to improve children’s literacy, cultivate a world-class workforce, enhance the environment and support students’ creativity and curiosity, among other critical initiatives. We are proud to partner with these organizations as they undertake incredibly important work for our state.”
Grant recipients apply for the Community Giving Program. A committee – made of members with various backgrounds at the port – review applications and prioritize funding. The program offers grants of $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000.
This year’s $5,000 grant recipients include: A Backpack Journalist, Greenville Tech Foundation, Wounded Nature – Working Veterans, Dillon County First Steps and SC Future Makers.
A Backpack Journalist provides students with real-world journalism experiences, including the process of writing, storytelling, film making and promotion. The group plans to use the funding to further their mission, including telling stories about the maritime industry.
Greenville Tech Foundation received SCPA funds for its Truck Driver Training Program, a 10-week certificate program that trains entry-level commercial truck drivers in long haul, short haul and basic rules and regulations of the Department of Transportation.
Wounded Nature – Working Veterans received SCPA funds to help with its mission of protecting coastal habitats and wildlife. The group assembles volunteer boaters and veterans to remove debris from hard to reach coastal areas designated by the Fish and Wildlife Service and Department of Natural Resources as critical wildlife areas.
Dillon County First Steps is a nonprofit striving to help every student in Dillon County arrive at kindergarten ready to succeed. The programs offer a comprehensive approach to ensure children receive excellent care and develop an interest in reading from a young age. SCPA funds will help support this early childhood education initiative.
SC Future Makers exposes and connects the next generation of students to statewide career opportunities. The organization works to close the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) gap and retain emerging talent. SCPA funds will be used to engage high school students and connect them with businesses.
Fiscal Year 2020 Recipients
A Backpack Journalist
ACE
American Red Cross (Lowcountry SC Chapter)
Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired South Carolina (ABVI)
Audubon South Carolina (ASC)
Avian Conservation Center
Camp Happy Days
Camp Rise Above
Charleston Adult Education
Charleston Area Senior Citizens’ Services, Inc.
Charleston Habitat for Humanity
Charleston Leaders
Charleston Waterkeeper
Children’s Cancer Partners of the Carolinas
Communities In Schools of Greenville, Inc.
Communities In Schools of the Charleston Area
Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center
Dillon County Chamber
Dillon County First Steps
Dillon Historic School Foundation
Dorchester County Economic Development
East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO)
East Cooper Meals on Wheels
Engaging Creative Minds
Florence Crittenton Programs of SC
Friends of Coastal South Carolina
Friends of Keep Charleston Beautiful
Greenville Tech Foundation
Greer Community Ministries
Greer Cultural Arts Council
Greer Relief & Resources Agency
Habitat for Humanity of Berkeley County
Help 4 Kids Florence
Helping and Lending Outreach Support dba HALOS
Home Works of America
Hospice and Palliative Care Foundation
Jasper County First Steps
Junior Achievement of Greater South Carolina
Kids On Point
Love Feeds
Lowcountry Food Bank
Lowcountry Habitat for Humanity
Lowcountry Local First
Lowcountry Maritime School
Meals on Wheels of Summerville
Multiplying Good (formerly the Jefferson Awards Foundation)
My Sister’s House
Operation Home
Orangeburg County Community of Character
Palmetto Project/BEGIN WITH BOOKS
Reach Out and Read Carolinas
Reading Partners South Carolina
Rebuild Upstate
Redux Contemporary Art Center
Respite Care Charleston
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston, Inc.
SC Future Makers
SC School for the Deaf and the Blind Foundation
South Carolina Aquarium
South Carolina Operation Lifesaver
Teach for America South Carolina
The ARK of SC
The First Tee of Greater Charleston
The Green Heart Project
The Village Group
Trident Literacy Association
United Ministries
Water Mission
Wings for Kids
Wounded Nature – Working Veterans
YouthBASE
Fiscal Year 2019 Impact
Community Giving recipients complete outcome surveys at the end of the fiscal year to be eligible for funding in the next giving cycle. The survey allows S.C. Ports to measure the positive lasting impacts of the grant program and fulfill its mission to be a strong community partner.
S.C. Ports awarded $106,000 to 54 charitable organizations in fiscal year 2019. Impacts of the funding include:
70,000 South Carolina students benefited from Community Giving grants.
5,685 people received meals through hunger-relief programs.
5,849 people received job skills training.
200,000 people were educated about environmental sustainability.
100,853 South Carolina students participated in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) activities.
About South Carolina Ports Authority
South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA), established by the state’s General Assembly in 1942, owns and operates public seaport and intermodal facilities in Charleston, Dillon, Georgetown and Greer. As an economic development engine for the state, Port operations facilitate 225,000 statewide jobs and generate nearly $63.4 billion annual economic activity. SCPA is soon to be home to the deepest harbor on the U.S. East Coast at 52 feet, and the Port is an industry leader in delivering speed-to-market, seamless processes and flexibility to ensure reliable operations, big ship handling, efficient market reach and environmental responsibility. For more information on SCPA, please visit www.scspa.com.
