Open Grants of Coastal Community Foundation Announces $339,825 in Awards

Annual program supported 41 nonprofits in Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester and Georgetown Counties for 2015

CHARLESTON, S.C.: November 2, 2015 – The ad hoc Open Grants Committee of Coastal Community Foundation is proud to announce funding of $339,825 for 41 local nonprofits that support the arts, education, environment, health, human needs and community development in Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester and Georgetown Counties. This figure represents an 8 percent increase in total grant funding since 2014 and a 21 percent increase since 2010. The program has awarded $4.6 million since its inception.
Funded nonprofits address a range of issues related to the arts, education, environment, health, human needs and neighborhood and community. For example, Avian Conservation Center received a grant towards their Educational and Medical program expenses, providing treatment for an increasing number of injured birds and compelling educational programs utilizing live, trained birds of prey in flight.
However, not all funding is program-specific – Open Grants also allows nonprofits to apply for general operating support. Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services received such a grant to help the organization provide free civil legal services for low-income children, families and individuals that otherwise could not afford it, as well as free educational programs. Meals on Wheels of Summerville, focused on free meals for the elderly and others who cannot prepare nutritional food for themselves, also received funding for general operating support.
Open Grants was established in 1985 to improve quality of life by supporting the network of nonprofits that serve the Lowcountry community. For more information about Open Grants or Coastal Community Foundation, please visit https://coastalcommunityfoundation.org/ or contact Program Officer Caroline Mullis at Caroline@coastalcommunityfoundation.org.
2015 Open Grant Recipients (Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester and Georgetown Counties):
Arts
Gibbes Museum of Art
Carolina Studios
Charleston Symphony Orchestra
McClellanville Arts Council
Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art
Smalls Institute for Music and Youth Leadership

Education
Palmetto Project/BEGIN WITH BOOKS
Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding
Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry
Communities in Schools of the Charleston Area
Eagle Harbor Ranch
Metanoia
One80 Place
Reading Partners
S.C. Governor’s Schools for Science and Math Foundation
Teacher’s Supply Closet
Trident Literacy Association
WINGS for Kids

Environment
Avian Conservation Center
Charleston Community Research to Action Board
Lowcountry Open Land Trust
Turtle Survival Alliance

Health
Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Barrier Islands Free Medial Clinic
East Cooper Community Outreach
Lowcountry AIDS Services

Human Needs
Alston Wilkes Society
American Red Cross
The ARK
Camp Happy Days
Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services
Dee Norton Lowcountry Children’s Center
East Cooper Meals on Wheels
Florence Crittenton Programs
HALOS (Helping and Lending Outreach Support)
Lowcountry Food Bank
Meals on Wheels of Summerville
My Sister’s House

Neighborhood and Community
Charleston Parks Conservancy
Habitat for Humanity of Berkeley County
Sea Island Habitat for Humanity

About Coastal Community Foundation: Coastal Community Foundation empowers individuals, families and organizations to make a lasting impact through permanent, endowed funds for charitable giving. The Foundation serves Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry and Jasper counties. To learn more, go to www.coastalcommunityfoundation.org or call (843) 723-3635.

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