Supporting Fair and Just Representation in South Carolina
Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina partners with SCACED to support community-based efforts focused on civic participation and fair representation.
SOUTH CAROLINA – (September 17, 2026) —The Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina (SCFSC) is partnering with the South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development (SCACED) to support efforts that advance fair and just representation for people across South Carolina.
Through the partnership, SCFSC is providing SCACED with $270,000 to support community-based organizations that are addressing barriers to fair representation at the state and national levels, strengthening civic participation, and helping ensure eligible South Carolinians have meaningful opportunities to participate in the November 2026 election cycle.
“We believe coming together is one of the most powerful ways to respond when our communities face a moment that calls for action,” said Melinda Merrell, Senior Director of Grantmaking and Strategy at the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina. “SCACED recognized the urgency of this moment, and we are grateful to be able to come alongside them and invest in the organizations and communities who are already doing this work.”
Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching—specifically the call to family, community, and participation—this initiative directly aligns with SCFSC’s 2026–2028 Strategic Plan. The plan emphasizes pursuing systemic change to help shape a more just and inclusive future for all South Carolinians.
Under the partnership, SCACED will serve as a fiscal intermediary, deploying funding to nonprofit organizations throughout the state. A portion of the Foundation funding will be used to support SCACED’s 2026 Voter Engagement Mini-Grants.
