Charleston nonprofits receive share of $1 million Facebook grant

Several nonprofits have been awarded a share of a $1 million Facebook grant that the social media giant asked the Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina to administer last year.

The money, to be awarded over two years, will assist nonprofits in the Charleston region working with and supporting under-served communities.

One of the 37 nonprofits recently receiving a share of $685,000 from the grant money focuses on a geographic area of need for famlies and children in Charleston’s Neck area.

Charleston Promise Neighborhood was awarded the grant to further the organization’s community development programs, the nonprofit said in a news release.

The foundation selected 37 nonprofit organizations in the Charleston region in the areas of arts, humanities, civil rights, community development, education and human services, the foundation said.

Charleston Promise Neighborhood CEO Sherrie Snipes-Williams said in a statement the organization was honored to be selected for the grant from the Coastal Community Foundation.

“Their commitment to supporting communities and leaders of color is evident and has been imperative in helping us continue to do the work in our ‘Neighborhood’ and schools -ultimately helping to transform a generation,” Snipes-Williams said.   

Charleston Promise Neighborhood plans to use the money to bring postitive change to  children and families in four of Charleston’s most under-served early learning and elementary schools, the nonprofit said. CPN said the organization will be able to expand community engagement programs to focus on academics, behavior, attendance and improving graudation rates at those schools.