<em>Photo above: Every year The Beaufort Fund supports dozens of nonprofits in the Southern Lowcountry with hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants.</em>
<h3>By Gloria Duryea</h3>
Many individuals, businesses, organizations, and families tirelessly give of their money, time and talents to improve our communities. Each year since 1986, November 15th has been named National Philanthropy Day to officially recognize and celebrate this magical world of giving.

This month, chapters of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) all across the country will hold events recognizing the generosity and dedication of philanthropists. Our local chapter, AFP Lowcountry, hosts their annual awards luncheon on Thursday, November 12th in Charleston.

Thankfully, philanthropy isn’t limited to one day a year. At Coastal Community Foundation, we have the privilege of working with philanthropists every day – it’s our business. Through the generosity of many, we are able to offer financial support in the form of grants to nonprofits both in and out of our service area (Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry and Jasper counties).

The impact of this support in our county and surrounding counties is huge. In the past twelve months, funds from Coastal Community Foundation have benefitted nonprofits, schools and houses of worship in our section of the state as follows:
<p style="padding-left: 60px;">$1,172,790 awarded through 136 grants to Beaufort County</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;">$383,996 awarded through 60 grants to Colleton County</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;">$373,478 awarded through 46 grants to Hampton County</p>
<p style="padding-left: 60px;">$464,192 awarded through 46 grants to Jasper County</p>
We want to express our heartfelt appreciation to all who serve as philanthropists. Your gifts to our communities, whether big or small, make a difference in Beaufort – and our neighbors in Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper.

All of us at Coastal Community Foundation are here every day of the year to help you make the biggest impact possible. Thank you to all who have joined us on our journey to improve quality of life in our communities and we look forward to serving together in the days to come.