Changemaker Grants - Q1 Capacity Building Grants

AMOR Healing Kitchen prepares nutritious meals for people facing critical health challenges to clients and caregivers free of cost. Through community partnerships the organization prepares locally sourced, nutrient dense meals that are individually packaged and ready to eat. Teen Chef volunteers from area high schools prepare meals alongside Adult Mentors, and learn valuable cooking skills, nutrition and the value of service.

Grant supports: Upgrades for kitchen and packaging equipment and staff professional development

Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic provides free, on-going primary health care and specialty referrals to uninsured adults. More than 75% of our patients currently work at least one or as many as three jobs, and without our Clinic, would not otherwise have access to health care due to a lack of employment benefits and Medicaid expansion in our state. Due to our robust medical volunteer program and funding from the community, our patients can safely receive the primary, specialty, and critical care they deserve while they need it, at no cost to the patient.

Grant supports: Software to assist with streamlining physician workflow and improve patient experience 

Camp Happy Days offers support and encouragement to children diagnosed with cancer and their families by providing cost-free, year-round programs, special events and access to crisis resources. The goal is to improve the physical, emotional and psychological health of the entire family facing pediatric cancer.

Grant supports: Staff training and certification opportunities

Charleston Area Senior Citizens Services serves primarily low income seniors through a variety of programs: home delivered meals, senior center, food pantry and affordable housing.

Grant supports: Technology to increase efficiency in client deliveries

Charleston Habitat for Humanity provides a comprehensive package of services, including mortgage lender, home builder, social support provider, and recruiting and training center. Its focus is on eliminating substandard housing conditions in downtown Charleston, West Ashley, and the City of North Charleston.

Grant supports: Technology to increase efficiency and impact

Charleston Legal Access offers low-cost, quality legal representation and assistance to the economically disadvantaged workers and others of modest means. Additionally, they also manage wraparound services focused on justice equity, and free advice and counsel over the phone, in-person consultations for a flat fee and full representation on an income-based sliding scale

Grant supports: Strategic planning and internal systems development

Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services serves the pressing legal needs of Charleston's economically disadvantaged. They assist with securing public benefits, preventing wrongful evictions, navigating family law, crafting probate documents and champion the rights of survivors of human trafficking.

Grant supports: Updates to facilities to expand and increase services

Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center is a community-based program which coordinates a full range of evidence-supported services for abused children and their families by working with over 25 community partners, including the local law enforcement, child protective services, mental health, the school systems, medical, the Solicitor's office and the Guardian ad Litem program. Current services include forensic interviews, comprehensive medical exams, mental health assessments, evidence-based mental health treatments, case management and community outreach/prevention.

Grant supports: Strategic plan development

Dorchester Children's Advocacy Center is one of 17 child advocacy centers (CACs) across that state and the ONLY child advocacy center to serve all of Dorchester County and most of Berkeley County. All of the services are free to clients and their families, meaning that socioeconomic status is never an issue to a child and their family in finding a path to hope, healing and empowerment.

Grant supports: Technology to assist with safety and security

East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO) provides assistance – food, financial assistance for rent or utilities, or gently used clothing – for families living or working East of the Cooper River; and medical and dental care at no cost for any income-qualifying, uninsured individuals from anywhere in the Tricounty (Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties of SC).

Grant supports: Volunteer management software 

Habitat for Humanity of Berkeley County offers affordable housing opportunities for families in need through affordable homeownership opportunities, financial education, advocacy efforts, neighborhood empowerment programs, and organizational development. This is achieved by strategically bring together public and private funding, community leadership and vision and hundreds of volunteers.

Grant supports: Technology to assist with merchandise tracking at Restore and new homebuilding equipment

Helping Hands of Goose Creek is the largest food pantry in Berkeley County. They serve is families living within Berkeley County who have encountered some type of emergency or financial situation that will directly affect or threaten their ability to remain self-sufficient.

Grant supports: Technology access and improvements to existing facility to better serve clients

ICNA Relief USA-Shifa Free Clinic provides compassionate, high-quality, no-cost health care to the uninsured and underserved in the Tricounty area. The organization addresses barriers to healthcare access, such as low income, health literacy, lack of insurance, language barriers and cultural mistrust while maintaining high-quality standards of care.

Grant supports: Medical equipment to be used at health fairs and pediatric clinics

James Island Outreach is one of James Island’s principle human services agencies, providing food, medicine, utility support, home repairs, emergency assistance, referrals and information to the less fortunate in the community.

Grant supports: Communication technology

Meals on Wheels of Summerville is a non-government funded program delivering free noon time meals 6 days a week, regardless of age or income, to those living with food insecurities due to medical conditions. The focus is on nutritional meal support to feed both the body and the soul.

Grant supports: Staff leadership training

Origin SC (formerly Family Services, Inc.) provides services to help individuals and families to gain and sustain financial and housing stability. Tri-County programs include financial education and coaching, homeownership education and coaching, housing stability, professional fiduciary services and family violence intervention.

Grant supports: Staff training and federal organization certification

Palmetto Community Care serves men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties. PCC provides case management, access to medical care, housing, financial, nutritional, legal assistance and various other supportive services to the Charleston area. PCC also works to prevent this epidemic through education, media campaigns, community outreach, PrEP services and free, daily HIV/STD testing.

Grant supports: Strategic plan development

Park Circle Cares  is a non profit organization with a passion to combat food insecurity in the Charleston, SC and Lowcountry areas. The organization provides monthly food distribution, and has provided emergency grocery trips for those who cannot leave their house due to illness, or lack of transportation.

Grant supports: New equipment for food storage and distribution

Second Chance Bikes provides community bike programs in addition to low-cost parts and free repair opportunities for folks in need who solely rely on their bikes for transportation, and fair prices on service for folks who just want a tune-up that supports a greater cause. A bike from Second Chance Bikes can empower someone and give them the freedom to meet their needs economically and independently. They can get around without relying on others for rides or spending money on car expenses or bus passes.

Grant supports: Strategic plan development

Vision to Learn services are available to all children, regardless of their income, disability status, citizenship, or other characteristics. The program ensures that every student in the school receives a vision screening. For those who do not pass the screening, they are provided with a comprehensive optometric exam and, if needed, a pair of prescription glasses—at no cost to the students or their families.

Grant supports: Equipment to assist with vision exams