The Village Group receives a $45,000 grant from Power:Ed
August 24, 2026
Plantersville Summer Academy to use grant to curb summer learning loss, boost social-emotional support for rural youth
The Village Group, a nonprofit located in rural Georgetown County, working to equip youth with the tools necessary to succeed in school and life, has been awarded a $45,000 grant to boost summer learning and enrichment, from Power:Ed, the philanthropy of SC Student Loan Corporation. This is the fourth grant Power:Ed has awarded in support of the Plantersville Summer Academy.
The funds will be used to support the cost of evidence-based curricula, teacher salaries, and student field trips. US Census data shows that the median personal income in the Plantersville area is the smallest in Georgetown County at $30,324, making it significantly less than the state median of $53,6794. This year, The Village Group supported 223 underserved and primarily African American students through the Plantersville Summer Academy. The grant from Power:Ed “provides crucial support needed to improve math effectiveness, literacy development, STEM, drones, and AI while expanding exposure to diverse career and college options,” said Ray C. Funnye, Founder and Executive Director of The Village Group.
Power:Ed Executive Director Claire Gibbons presents grant award to The Village Group Executive Director Ray C. Funnye, Plantersville Summer Academy (PSA) Director Queen Funnye and Carvers STEAM Academy Principle Norine Fraser. Also pictured are TVG Board Member Edrick Alston, PSA STEM specialist Maluisa Andrada, PSA Social-Emotional Behavior Interventionist Tanara Tucker and PSA students.
The organization offers equal access to quality education by providing a safe and nurturing environment, while at the same time improving performance on standardized tests and increasing the number of students who graduate from high school. Free transportation is offered at several convenient locations throughout Georgetown County to make the program as accessible as possible for working parents. One hundred percent (100%) of parents surveyed responded that they would recommend the Plantersville Summer Academy.
On top of academics, the Plantersville Summer Academy brings in specialists to lead programs in diverse career and college fields like STEM, Drones, AI, Media, physical fitness, arts, dance, cooking, and environmental sciences. These enrichment activities and adventures expose students to positive hobbies, life skills, and career possibilities while encouraging the joy of self-exploration.
“The Village Group introduces students to college and career pathways, boosts their knowledge of opportunities in STEM, AI, and robotics, and is helping to develop a workforce pipeline in rural Georgetown County. We are so excited to support these students and watch them soar,” said Power:Ed Executive Director Claire Gibbons.
In FY2026-27, Power:Ed will award $1,425,000 in grants to South Carolina education and career readiness nonprofit organizations. In this first quarter, Power:Ed has awarded nine grants (including this grant to The Village Group) totaling $527,000. Grants are administered quarterly, and the next grant funding deadline is October 1, 2026.
About The Village Group
The Village Group is a 20-year-strong 501(c)3 nonprofit honored by South Carolina’s Secretary of State for its fiscal stewardship. The organization includes community leaders, parents, elders, and concerned citizens who strive to equip youth with the skills to build a sustainable community by focusing on college and career readiness, cultural education, and economic development. The Village Group seeks to help youth understand and develop a lifelong love of learning through its core values of harmony, habitat, health, and history.
About Power:Ed
Founded in 2019, Power:Ed, the philanthropy of SC Student Loan, is dedicated to creating opportunities for South Carolina’s youth and adults by supporting low-income, underserved, and first-generation students; improving access to college and degree completion; and creating pathways to quality workforce opportunities. Nonprofit organizations serving middle school through post-college talent interested in applying for a grant or partnering with Power:Ed, should visit power-ed.org.
