Beyond Our Gates Foundation Announces Record 2025 Grant Awards Totaling $545,000

The Beyond Our Gates Foundation (BOGF) is proud to announce its 2025 Grant Recipients, celebrating a historic year of philanthropic investment in the Charleston Sea Islands. In response to record demand from local nonprofits seeking assistance, the Foundation awarded a record 25 grants totaling $545,000—its largest single-year distribution ever.

BOGF’s mission has always focused on strengthening communities through education, health, family stability, and economic resilience. This year’s unprecedented level of need, along with the impactful work by local organizations, motivated the Foundation to broaden its giving and deepen its commitment to those on the front lines of service.

A Historic Year of Giving

The 2025 grant cycle received more applications than ever before. Nonprofits across the Sea Islands, Charleston, and nearby areas stepped forward with compelling programs that address literacy, food insecurity, senior services, youth recreation, crisis support, and more. In response, the Beyond Our Gates Foundation increased its funding to meet the demand, awarding its largest total to date.

These 25 grant recipients form a network of organizations working daily to improve lives, build stability, and ensure every family has the chance to thrive. The Foundation’s consistent giving underscores a lasting commitment to sustainable, community-based impact.

2025 Beyond Our Gates Foundation Grant Recipients

• Arts, etc. – Provides literary, visual and performing arts programs to K-12 students on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands.
• Backpack Buddies Kiawah – A program combating childhood hunger among at-risk students in Title I schools on the Sea Islands.
• Backpack Buddies Seabrook – A program combating childhood hunger among at-risk students in Title I schools on the Sea Islands.
• Barrier Islands Free Medical Clinic – Offers free primary care to uninsured adults living or working on the Sea Islands.
• Begin With Books – The Dolly Parton Imagination Library affiliate delivering free books monthly to infants and toddlers to foster early literacy.
• Bridges of Hope – Supports children and families in the Charleston area coping with the death of a loved one.
• Camp Happy Days – Supports children diagnosed with cancer and their families through free year-round programs and crisis resources.
• Charleston Area Senior Citizens – Enhances the lives of economically challenged seniors in the Charleston area.
• Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding – Empowers children, adults and veterans with disabilities through therapeutic horsemanship programs.
• Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center – Works to prevent abuse, protect children and heal families from trauma.
• Edisto Island Youth Recreation – Provides essential recreation and athletic opportunities for youth on Edisto Island, an underserved community.
• Fields to Families – Collects, grows and distributes fresh local produce to food banks and service agencies across Charleston, combating food insecurity.
• HALOS – Supports kinship-care families by providing financial and social assistance to children raised by relatives.
• James Island Outreach – Delivers emergency food, medicine, utility aid and home repair to low-income residents of James Island.
• Kids on Point – In partnership with the College of Charleston, provides year-round academic, athletic and enrichment programs for under-resourced youth.
• Low Country Orphan Relief – Provides support services and aid to children suffering from neglect, abuse or abandonment in the Charleston area.
• Operation Home – Helps Charleston-area residents remain safely in their homes through accessibility improvements and critical repairs.
• Our Lady of Mercy Outreach – Addresses root causes of poverty through emergency resources, education, job assistance and health initiatives.
• Paraclete Foundation – Supports home repairs and upgrades for low-income residents on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands.
• Sea Island Hunger Awareness Foundation – Through its Blessings Basket program, provides nutritious food to residents in need on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands.
• Teachers’ Supply Closet – Provides free classroom supplies to Title I teachers across the Charleston area.
• The Lonon Foundation – Offers psychosocial support to children whose parent has been diagnosed with cancer.
• The Swing – Provides financial assistance to breast cancer patients and their families throughout the Lowcountry.
• Turn 90 – Helps individuals re-entering the community after incarceration through life-skills training, case-management, work readiness and job placement.
• Vision To Learn – Provides screenings, eye exams and prescription glasses to K–12 students in Title I schools.

Looking Ahead

As the needs of the Sea Islands and Charleston region continue to grow, the Beyond Our Gates Foundation remains dedicated to expanding opportunities, strengthening families, and helping communities thrive. This year’s record number of applications shows increasing demand—and a rising chance for shared impact.

To learn more about the Foundation’s mission or to get involved, visit beyondourgates.org.