Recent News

---

05/06/2009

The Giving Back to Berkeley County Fund has awarded $50,000 in grants to 15 nonprofit organizations serving Berkeley County in its first year of grantmaking.

The Giving Back to Berkeley County Fund (GBBC) was established in 2008 by anonymous donors as an endowment at Coastal Community Foundation. The Fundís goal is to improve quality of life in Berkeley County by supporting the network of non-profits that are located in or that serve Berkeley County communities. Applications were accepted from 501(c)(3) organizations serving residents of Berkeley County in the areas of: Arts, Education, Environment, Health, Human Needs, and Neighborhood/Community Development. A volunteer committee made up of people who live and/or work in the Berkeley County community reviewed the applications and made recommendations that went to Coastal Community Foundationís Board for approval.

ìThe inauguration of the GBBC Fund couldnít have come at a better time with grant dollars scarce and non-profit organizations stretching to meet increased community need,î said Edie Blakeslee, Senior Program Director at Coastal Community Foundation. ìCoastal Community Foundation is humbled and honored to work with the anonymous donors that established the Giving Back to Berkeley County Fund, and we recognize that the all-volunteer Grants Committee that wrestled with funding decisions had the most difficult job of all.î Ms. Blakeslee and Ashley Cooper, Program Assistant, facilitate the grantmaking program.


Below is a list of nonprofit organizations that have received grants for the 2008 ñ 2009 funding cycle.

GRANTEES:
American Red Cross- Assistance for 16 families that are victims of residential fires.

Association for the Blind- To expand ìLiving with Partial Vision,î which assists underprivileged clients who are diagnosed with severe vision difficulties.

Berkeley County Family YMCA- Funds for 15 Senior aerobics classes for 126 clients each week.

Berkeley County First Steps- Funds for the ìParents as Teachersî program, which helps 120 low-income children, ages birth to 5-years, prepare for their school education.

Berkeley County Foundation for Education- To provide six $500 Teacher Mini-Grants to Berkeley County teachers.

CYDCñ Callen-Lacey Center- For operations for the emergency shelter that serves over 70 children annually.

East Cooper Meals on Wheels- ìSenior Snack Packî program, which will provide supplemental, nutritious snacks for low-income, elderly and home bound residents.

Habitat for Humanity of Berkeley County- To purchase construction materials for five houses being built in 2009.

Helping Hands of Goose Creek- ì Food Distribution Program,î which serves 2,500 households for 60 days over a six-month period, or 12 months for senior citizens.

Howardís Barber and Styling Foundation- Funds for job skills training sessions and vocational training through barbering and cosmetology services for 25 participants.

Lowcountry Food Bank- To help with distribution of 71 pounds of food to 17,600 residents.

Roscoe Reading Program- For operations for reading incentive program in 10 Title One, Berkeley County schools.

SEWEE Association- ìEarth Stewardsî program and one-day visits to the Sewee Center in Awendaw for Boulder Bluff Elementary students.

The ARK of St. Lukeís Lutheran Church- The ìNOAH Project,î which will help expand services for people/families suffering with Alzheimerís and Dementia throughout Berkeley County.

Williamson Forward Progress Youth Service- Operational costs for the criminal behavior prevention program, which provides mentoring, behavioral intervention and anger management services to 40-50 at-risk youth a year.