SCFSC Awards Inaugural Systems Change Grants
Five nonprofits funded to advance economic mobility and housing security across the state
The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina has awarded $400,000 in Systems Change Grants to organizations working to dismantle the root causes of poverty in the state. This funding will support initiatives that remove systemic barriers to financial stability and secure housing, helping individuals and families thrive.
The five Systems Change Grant recipients are:
- Able South Carolina: Funded for The Palmetto Prosperity Project: Reforming Waivers for Economic Autonomy
- Affordable Housing Coalition of South Carolina: Funded for general operating support
- Catawba Area Coalition for The Homeless: Funded for general operating support
- South Carolina Tenant Union: Funded for general operating support
- Steelworkers Charitable And Educational Organization: Funded for general operating support of the Chester Worker Empowerment Center
“The work of these five organizations is rooted in community, centered around meaningful partnerships, and driven by a vision to truly change systems,” said Donna Waites, President of the Foundation. “I couldn’t be more honored to partner with them in this work.”
This marks the inaugural year for the Foundation’s Systems Change Grants, which provide up to $100,000 to support advocacy and lobbying; address systemic power imbalances; affirm the dignity of people experiencing poverty; and implement big impact, scalable, and innovative solutions that address economic mobility and housing security. Part of the Foundation’s three-year strategic plan launched in January 2026, these grants support statewide, regional, or local efforts across all 46 South Carolina counties.
Dr. Lee Pearson, Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, said, “By investing in the leadership and vision of these organizations, we are laying the groundwork for a more equitable South Carolina where everyone has the resources they need to support themselves and their families. Systems change doesn’t happen overnight, but by standing with these trusted partners, we are taking vital steps toward lasting progress for generations to come.”
In tandem with these awards, the Foundation has awarded eight Community Engagement Grants totaling $12,000. These grants support events, trainings, and workshops that directly engage communities experiencing poverty. Since its inception in 1996, the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina has awarded more than $85 million to South Carolina nonprofits.
Applications are still open for 2026 Systems Change Grants and Community Engagement Grants. The deadline to submit a Letter of Intent for the next round of Systems Change Grants is August 4. The final deadline for Community Engagement Grant applications is October 5.
