In a world increasingly shaped by headlines of megagifts and billionaire philanthropy, it can be easy to assume that meaningful impact requires extraordinary wealth. However, communities don’t thrive solely on money. They thrive on connection, passion, and people who care deeply about where they live.
We sat down to talk with Terry Seabrook, donor and former board member of Coastal Community Foundation (CCF), whose story reflects the powerful intersection of community, relationships, and philanthropy. Her experience is a reminder that when giving is rooted locally, even modest contributions can create lasting change. As Seabrook puts it, “No gift is too small—anything from $10 to $10,000.”
Seabrook’s relationship with CCF began in the 1990s, when she joined the N.E.W. (Neighborhoods Energized to Win) Fund grant committee. In that role, she helped direct grant funding to grassroots organizations, where a $500 grant could make a meaningful difference. At the time, she describes the experience as an opportunity to connect with local “movers and shakers,” people deeply invested in the future of the Lowcountry. What began as relationship-building soon became something far more impactful.
Through her involvement with CCF, Seabrook came to understand the unique role a community foundation plays, as a catalyst, a connector, and a steward of local generosity. She saw firsthand that when the mission is clear and the people are committed, the size of the gift matters far less than the intention behind it. “When people think about CCF, they think they need a million dollars to start a fund,” she says. “But you really don’t.”
As life unfolded, Seabrook’s engagement with CCF naturally ebbed. But in 2019, a personal loss brought her back. A longtime friend, LeRoy Lewis, passed away, a man Seabrook describes as passionate, deeply committed to his community on Johns Island, and a great friend.
Lewis was a beacon for education, particularly for first-generation African American college students on Johns Island. Seabrook recalls that many of the young people he supported had never visited the Charleston Peninsula and lacked access to resources many residents take for granted. Lewis introduced them to new experiences, such as art and cultural museums, facilitated college tours, and created opportunities that might have otherwise felt out of reach. He did this independently and self-funded, operating on a shoestring budget and driven entirely by his belief in the potential of the young people and the community he served.
After Lewis’s passing, Seabrook and close friends Reggie Parish and Evelyn (Evie) Nadel came together with a shared goal: to honor his legacy and ensure his work continued. They turned to CCF to establish a fund in his name, the Leroy Lewis, Jr. Memorial Fund, designed to make a lasting impact on Johns Island.
The fund began in the most grassroots way possible: small, community-based fundraising efforts, door-to-door asks, and deep local involvement. Within the first year, the fund raised $40,000, with a long-term goal of reaching $100,000 to endow the fund and continue the work in Lewis’s honor.
Seabrook credits her confidence in starting the fund to her earlier experience with CCF. “Because of my work with the foundation, I knew you could start with a small amount and help our friend’s legacy live way past our lifetime,” she explains. She understood that CCF’s philanthropic stewards could help translate a heartfelt vision into a sustainable, long-term resource for the community.
Through CCF’s philanthropic investing model, what began as small contributions now has the potential to grow, supporting immediate needs while continuing to give back as investment portfolios grow over time. It’s a powerful reminder that philanthropy doesn’t have to be a one-time act; it can be an ongoing commitment that evolves alongside the community it serves.
Seabrook’s story is a timely reminder in the age of megagifts: with the right people, the right mission, and a trusted community partner, anything is possible—at any dollar amount. At CCF, donors are encouraged to explore their interests and passions, whether by supporting an existing fund or creating something new, just as Seabrook did to honor her dear friend.
Philanthropy doesn’t have to start big. It just has to start— with passion, with purpose, and with a belief in the community.
To explore what you might accomplish with CCF’s team, we invite you to start the conversation.